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WHEN AND WHY DO I NEED A BUILDING PERMIT OR ZONING APPROVAL?
Building permits provide the means for Code Officials to protect us by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and therefore ensuring the public health, safety, and welfare.
Building permits are required for, but not limited to, the following:
Additions and/or demolitions
Add-a-Levels
All interior construction & renovations
Central Air Conditioning (new and replacement)
Decks/Patios
Electrical service upgrades, panel replacements
Enclose porch
Fences (new and replacements)
Finish basements
Fireplace/stove installation (wood or gas fired)
Gas service connection
Heating replacements – boilers, furnaces, water heaters
Lawn sprinkler system (backflow preventer)
New construction (house, garage, etc.)
Oil or gas replacements or conversions
Oil tank removal or abandonment
Pools – inground or above ground
Remodeling – kitchens, bathrooms
Retaining walls
Roofing – 2nd layer or tear-off and re-roof
Sheds – new or replacement
Siding
Water service connection
Whirlpools/Spas/Hot tubs
Zoning Laws
Zoning approval is the first step required for certain types of construction. It is required for permits for, but not limited to, new construction, additions, add-a-levels, decks, patios, sheds (new or replacement), fences (new or replacements), pools (inground or above ground), and whirlpools, spas, hot tubs.
In order to obtain zoning approval, you must pick up an application in the administrator’s office or the building dept. The two page form must be completed, include a copy of your survey/plot plan with the proposed construction drawn and highlighted on the survey. Be sure the survey is up to date including any additions/deletions made since the date of the survey. Make sure YOUR name and address appears clearly on the survey. You will be notified by mail of your approval or denial. You can call the Zoning Officer, Lisa Fadini, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, at (973) 335-7400 X107, between 9:00 A.M. and 12 noon if you have any questions.
A soil movement permit is required to be filed whenever any soil is being moved onto, off of, or within a property. For example, during the construction of a basement, crawl space, in-ground pool, retaining wall, landscaping, etc. The permit is obtained from the Township Clerk. Payment of this permit is a prior approval to the issuance of a building permit.
Engineering approval is required for certain types of construction, i.e. new house, retaining wall, etc. A $750.00 escrow must be posted with the building department along with architectural or engineering plans/drawings for the work being performed.
If zoning or engineering approval is not required, or has been obtained for those permits requiring approval, you can apply for your building permit. The application for your building permit must include:
a. Application folder – completed and signed inside and out.
b. Subcode Technical Sections (all that apply):
1. Building – include costs, broken down between addition and alteration if applicable all calculations requested – square footage, cubic volume, etc.
2. Electric – (sealed, unless work is being performed by homeowner)
3. Plumbing – (sealed, unless work is being performed by homeowner)
4. Fire – required for smoke detectors, boilers, furnaces, water heaters, etc.
· All technical sections must be completed in full, incl. cost, and signed.
c. 3 sets of drawings/plans must accompany the application for review. If drawn by a NJ licensed architect, 2 of the 3 sets must be sealed. If drawn by the homeowner, drawings must be so signed.
Plans can NOT be drawn by the contractor, per NJ State Law!
The majority of building permits are processed with little delay. If plan modifications are needed, the deficiencies are based on a careful review of the proposed work to insure safe and sound construction. Permits that have been approved are to be picked up in the building department during office hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00– 2:00 PM. * * * The permit placard must be displayed in the front window and an approved set of plans must be kept on the job site. * * *
Required inspections may include: Footings (prior to pouring of concrete), foundation/backfill, interior slab, smoke detector placement, rough inspections (electric, plumbing), framing, insulation, and final inspections for each applicable subcode area (electric, fire, then plumbing and building), and engineering, if applicable. Check with the Construction Official to determine which inspections are required for your project.
Once all final inspections have been performed and approved, you must fill out an application for your Certificate of Occupancy. Applications can be obtained from the building department. The certificate will be mailed to you.
INSPECTORS:
At the present time we have some different inspectors working with different hours than normal.
Construction Official/Building Sub code Official John Scialla
Electrical Sub code Official Richard Biale
Fire Sub code Official Ronald Gimbert
Plumbing Sub code Official John Scialla
HOURS OF INSPECTION:
Building & Plumbing: Monday through Thursday, 10 AM – 3 PM.
Electric: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Fire: Monday, 12 PM – 2 PM
Smoke Detector Inspection: Tuesdays 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
No work is to begin before 7:00 AM or to continue after sunset.
CALL 1-800-272-1000 before you dig! They will mark out underground utility lines. Provide the building dept. with the dig number assigned to your project.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the building department, Monday through Friday, 9:00 – 2:00 PM, at 666-0462. The Construction Official, John Scialla, has office hours Monday through Thursday, 12:30 – 1:30 PM.
WHENEVER A PERMIT IS ISSUED, IT IS NOW THE LAW THAT SMOKE DETECTORS MUST BE INSTALLED IN THE DWELLING UNIT. Battery operated detectors satisfy this requirement. (Hard-wired, battery back-up, interconnected detectors are still required in connection with permits for additions or new construction.) They must be installed one on every level, including the basement. The installation of these devices does not require an inspection by the building department. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to insure that this is done. Please call the building dept. with any questions regarding this requirement.
Effective Feb 1, 2003 when selling a house you must have an inspection for a carbon monoxide detector
IF YOU ARE SELLING YOUR HOME… NEW JERSEY STATE LAW REQUIRES A SMOKE DETECTOR INSPECTION. CALL THE BUILDING DEPT. TO SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION, WHICH IS PERFORMED ON TUESDAYS BETWEEN 4:30 AND 7:00 PM. A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS NOT REQUIRED ON THE RESALE OF A RESIDENCE IN THE TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON. YOU WILL ALSO NEED A CHECK PAYABLE TO THE TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON FOR $25.