Building Permits

Municipal permits are no longer required for the repair or replacement of any amount of existing roof covering on detached one or two-family dwellings; the repair or replacement of any existing siding except polypropylene siding; the installation of a burglar alarm or security systems.

You will need a building permit for most types of renovations, additions, or general home improvements including:

• Installation or replacement of hot water heaters, furnaces, boilers and air conditioning.
• Finishing a basement or attic.
• Kitchen and bathroom renovations when services for sinks, refrigerators, ovens or stoves are being altered or moved.
• Building or replacing a deck.
• Installation of a pool in-ground, above ground and temporary pools capable of holding more than 24” of water.
• Removal/abandonment of oil tanks.
• New electric outlets, fixtures, wiring, and upgrade of electrical service.
• Solar panels.
• Sheds greater than 200 SF.
• Emergency generators.
• Most other substantive home improvements where walls, doorways, openings and supporting utilities are being altered or moved.

You do not need a building permit for the following ordinary and minor maintenance:

• Ordinary building maintenance includes the repair of replacement of any amount of existing roof covering on detached one or two-family dwellings, the repair or replacement of any existing siding except polypropylene siding, interior and exterior painting, wall papering, paneling, replacement of windows or doors provided no alteration to the framing of the original opening, replacement of trim or moldings, replacement of kitchen cabinets, replacement of flooring or carpet, repair of an uncovered porch or stoop, repairs to existing steps or stairs, replacement of screens, and replacement of leaders or gutters.
• Ordinary plumbing maintenance includes faucet repair or replacement, trap repair or replacement, replacement of shower valves including minor piping modification, replacement of hose bibs provided that an approved atmospheric vacuum breaker is provided, the repair of leaks involving the replacement of piping, clearance of stoppages, and the replacement of clothes washers and dryers.
• Ordinary electrical maintenance includes replacement of non GFI-receptacles, switches, and lighting fixtures that do not require emergency battery packs. Installation  and repair of doorbells, replacement of thermostats, repairs or installations of telephone or cable lines, replacement of dishwasher and kitchen range hoods provided that the replacement hood exhaust rate does not exceed the exhaust rate of the existing hood or the exhaust rate of the replacement hood doesn’t exceed 400 cfm.
• Ordinary fire protection maintenance includes repair or replacement of smoke detector, smoke alarm, or heat detector heads with a like device, installation of battery operated or plug in smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors, and the replacement of stoves and ovens provided that no change in fuel type or location or electrical characteristics is required.

Water heaters

Construction Permit Application Mechanical Subcode Form Chimney Verification Form

Furnaces/Boilers and/or Air Conditioners

Construction Permit Application Mechanical Subcode Form Electrical Subcode Form Chimney Verification Form

Water Meters

See Water Meter Instructions and additional application documents.

Construction Permit Application Plumbing Subcode Form

Finished Basements

In addition to a Zoning Permit Application and fee, two (2) sets of plans, copy of contractor’s N.J. license (if applicable), select the applicable technical subcode forms listed below. The addition or movement of plumbing also requires submission of a Riser Diagram.

Construction Permit Application (required) Building Subcode Form (if applicable) Electrical Subcode Form (if applicable) Plumbing Subcode Form (if applicable) Mechanical Subcode Form (if applicable) Fire Protection Subcode Form (if applicable) Certification of Disposal of Building Materials (required)

Building Additions

In addition to a Zoning Permit Application and fee with a property survey showing addition location, two (2) sets of plans, copy of contractor’s N.J. license (if applicable), select the applicable technical subcode forms listed below. The addition or movement of plumbing also requires submission of a Riser Diagram.

Construction Permit Application (required) Building Subcode Form (if applicable) Electrical Subcode Form (if applicable) Plumbing Subcode Form (if applicable) Mechanical Subcode Form (if applicable) Fire Protection Subcode Form (if applicable) Certification of Disposal of Building Materials (required) Certification of No Change in Existing Grades

Interior Alterations (Remodels)

Two (2) sets of plans, copy of contractor’s N.J. license (if applicable), select the applicable technical subcode forms listed below. The addition or movement of plumbing also requires submission of a Riser Diagram.

Construction Permit Application (required) Building Subcode Form (if applicable) Electrical Subcode Form (if applicable) Plumbing Subcode Form (if applicable) Mechanical Subcode Form (if applicable) Fire Protection Subcode Form (if applicable) Certification of Disposal of Building Materials (required)

Solar Panels

In addition to a Zoning Permit Application and fee, two (2) sets of plans, copy of contractor’s N.J. license, and the solar specifications.

Construction Permit Application (required) Building Subcode Form (required) Electrical Subcode Form (required) Fire Protection Subcode Form (required)

Decks

In addition to a Zoning Permit Application with a property survey showing location, two (2) sets of plans, and copy of contractor’s N-.J license (if applicable):

Construction Permit Application Building Subcode Form Certification of Disposal of Building Materials Certification of No Change in Existing Grades

Signs

In addition to the Zoning Permit Application and fee, two (2) sets of plans, copy of contractor’s N.J. license and sign specifications:

Construction Permit Application Building Subcode Form (required) Electrical Subcode Form (if applicable)

Generators

In addition to a Zoning Permit Application with a property survey showing location, two (2) sets of plans, a copy of the generator specifications/brochure for your specific model, and a copy of contractor’s N-.J license (if applicable):

Construction Permit Application Building Subcode Form Electrical Subcode Form Mechanical Subcode Form Certification of Disposal of Building Materials Certification of No Change in Existing Grades

Demolition

In addition to a a copy of contractor’s NJ license, proof of service from an exterminator, disconnect letters for all utility providers including PSE8:G. American Water.
telephone and cable:

Construction Permit Application Building Subcode Form

Pools

In addition to a Zoning Permit Application with a property survey showing location, two (2) sets of plans, a copy of the pool specifications material/brochure for your specific model, and copy of contractor’s N-.J license (if applicable):

Construction Permit Application Building Subcode Form Electrical Subcode Form (applicable if new outlet is being installed) Plumbing Subcode Form (include if pool is in-ground, if heated pool include gas riser diagram) Certification of Disposal of Building Materials Certification of No Change in Existing Grades

Pool Fences

In addition to a Zoning Application:

Construction Permit Application Building Subcode Form (if applicable)

Please note the following fence specification requirements for in-ground pools and above ground pools under 48″:

• Four (4) foot minimum height.
• Self-closing and locking gate that swings away from pool.
• Locking mechanism must be a minimum of 54″ above ground.
• Chain link fences with openings no more than two (2) inches wide.

Fence specifications for above ground pools 48″ and over:

• An above-ground pool that is 48″ or higher does not require a fence.
• Ladder may not be removable.
• A permanent ladder enclosure with a self-closing/locking mechanism
• Must be a minimum of 54″ above ground.

Pool Demolition

Construction Permit Application Building Subcode Form

Commercial Annual Pool Inspections

Construction Permit Application Electrical Subcode Form

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station

Construction Permit Application Electrical Technical Form

Radon System

Construction Permit Application (required) Building Subcode Form (required) Electrical Subcode Form (required)

Underground Storage Tank (UST) Installation and Removal

Construction Permit Application Fire Protection Subcode Form

Sump Pumps

Construction Permit Application (required) Building Subcode Form (required) Plumbing Subcode Form (required) Electrical Subcode Form (if applicable)

Dumpsters

A dumpster permit is only required when you are seeking to place a dumpster in the street.  No permit is necessary when the dumpster is in a driveway. 

Construction Dumpster Permit Application

Irrigation/Lawn Sprinklers

Construction Permit Application Plumbing Technical Subcode Form

Changing an approved permit is called applying for a variation and requires a specific form. A separate copy of the form should be filled out for each, individual, change to approved, permitted, plans.

Application For Variance