Rinhart v. Wright

44 A.2d 385, 133 N.J.L. 374, 1945 N.J. Sup. Ct. LEXIS 65

• Court: Supreme Court of New Jersey
• Decided: November 1, 1945
• Status: Published

Opinion

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Olipkant, J.

This cause is before us on the return of an alternative writ of mandamus. Relator seeks to require a building inspector to issue to her a certificate of occupancy.

Relator was the owner of premises Xo. 50 New England Avenue, Summit. She made application to the respondent for a certificate of occupancy as provided for by the zoning ordinance of that city. It was denied.

Section 20 of the ordinance provided in part:

“It shall be the duty of the Building Inspector to issue a Certificate of Occupancy within ien days after a written request for the same shall be filed in his office by any owner, after having determined that the building and the proposed use thereof, conform with said Ordinances.”

Under the ordinance questions of fact were committed to the discretion of the building inspector. He having determined them a writ will not issue to disturb or over-ride that determination. Gleistman v. West New York et al., 74 N. J. L. 74.

The record discloses no appeal by relator to the Board of Adjustment from the adverse ruling of the building inspector as provided for in R. S. 40:55-42, or if one was taken that a writ of certiorari had been applied for to review the decision of that board under R. S. 40:55-46. Until the relator has exhausted the remedies provided for by statute a writ of mandamus will not issue. Eaton v. City of Newark, 3 N. J. Mis. R. 363.

Relator contends the zoning ordinance is unreasonable, void and inequitable. We are not persuaded that this is so and under the facts exhibited proper practice is to test this question bv way of a writ of certiorari. Payne v. Sea Briqht, 14 N. J. Mis. R. 756.

The alternative writ will be dismissed and the application for a peremptory writ denied.