WHAT ABOUT ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION?
The Department of Community Affairs is responsible for the adoption of the Uniform Construction Code of the State of New Jersey (UCC). The UCC is the standard that is to be followed for the issuance of construction permits in every municipality in the state. The UCC, N.J.A.C. 5:23-1 et seq. provides administrative rules to be followed, adopts and amends other model codes for technical standards for building, electrical, plumbing and other types of permits. It also establishes the criteria for licensing of code officials and inspectors, as well as rules for creating local enforcing agencies (often thought of as building departments). It’s important to understand the nature of your project; the following descriptions provide an overview and services to consider.
Renovation means the removal and replacement of existing interior or exterior finish, trim, doors, windows or other materials with new materials that serve the same purpose but do not change the configuration of the space. You may or may not need a building permit to execute this work, but typically would not need an engineer.
Alteration means the rearrangement of any space by the construction of walls or partitions, a change in ceiling height, the addition or removal of doors or windows, the extension or rearrangement of any system, the installation of any additional equipment or fixtures or any work that reduces the load-bearing capacity of a structural member. For a project such as this, you will need a building permit and likely the services of a professional engineer.
Reconstruction means any project where the extent and nature of the work is such that the work area cannot be occupied while the work is in progress and where a new certificate of occupancy is required before the work area can be reoccupied. A reconstruction project may include repair, renovation and alteration components. Again, building permit and engineer are necessary. Also, depending on the size of the area of impact and/or proposed use, you may need Zoning approval as well.
So, do I need a permit? If the repairs are considered “ordinary” or “minor” than no. According to NJAC 5:23, ordinary includes exterior and interior painting, interior finishes, the replacement of glass in a window/door if it’s in the same opening, non-structural members, roofing and siding if less than 25%, insulation, and rain gutters. Minor repairs would be the construction or total replacement of any porch or stoop which does not provide structural support for any roof or portion of a building; and the construction or alteration of any rooms within an existing one- or two-family dwelling, provided that no structural members are altered in any way.
Anything not covered in the above (and there are others pertaining to plumbing and electric), shall require a permit, and shall be made by the owner, or his agent, a licensed engineer, architect or plumbing, electrical or other contractor employed in connection with the proposed work. If the application is by a person other than the owner in fee, it shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the owner or the authorized person making the application, that the proposed work is authorized by the owner in fee, and that the applicant is authorized to make such application. All issued permits shall remain the property of the owner even if the application was made by a contractor or authorized agent.