If an owner seeks an eviction alleging permanent retirement of the premises from residential use pursuant to subsection h. of section 2 of P.L. 1974, c. 49 (C. 2A:18-61.1) and if, pursuant to land use law, nonresidential use of the premises is not permitted as a principal permitted use or is limited to accessory, conditional or public use, a rebuttable presumption is created that the premises are not and will not be permanently retired from residential use. Residential premises that are unoccupied, boarded up or otherwise out of service shall not be deemed retired from residential use unless they are converted to a principal permitted nonresidential use. No tenant shall be evicted pursuant to subsection h. of section 2 of P.L. 1974, c. 49 (C. 2A:18-61.1) if any State or local permit or approval required by law for the nonresidential use is not obtained. Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to require obtaining a certificate of occupancy for the proposed use prior to an eviction. The detail specified in notice given pursuant to subsection d. of section 3 of P.L. 1974, c. 49 (C. 2A:18-61.2) shall disclose the proposed nonresidential use to which the premises are to be permanently retired.

L. 1986, c. 138, s. 2, eff. Oct. 29, 1986.