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Township of Ocean, NJ
Ocean County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (2) Index Notes (2)
[Adopted by Ord. No. 1977-1, as amended through Ord. No. 1992-8 (§§ 12A-1 through 12A-17 of the 1972 Ocean Codified Ordinances)
A. 
Created. There is created in accordance with the provisions of the State Uniform Construction Code Act, P.L. 1975, c. 217, N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq. hereinafter referred to as "the Act," an enforcing agency to be known as the "Construction Code Enforcing Agency" of the Township.
B. 
Composition. Such agency shall consist of a Construction Official and such other officials and assistants as are appointed by the Township Committee to administer and enforce the provisions of the State Uniform Construction Code adopted pursuant to the provisions of the Act. Nothing in this article, however, shall prevent the Township from accepting inspections as to compliance with the State Uniform Construction Code or any subcode thereof made by an inspection authority approved by the State of New Jersey pursuant to law.
A. 
Construction Official as Chief Administrator. The Construction Official shall be the Chief Administrator of the enforcing agency. He or she shall establish the day-to-day operating routine of the enforcing agency and coordinate the activities of the subcode official.
B. 
Duties of the Construction Official. The duties of such Construction Official shall be to administer and enforce the State Uniform Construction Code pursuant to the provisions of the Act. He or she shall have the power to overrule a determination of a subcode official based on an interpretation of a substantive provision of the subcode which such subcode official administers only if the Construction Official is qualified pursuant to the Act to act as a subcode official for such subcode.
C. 
Construction Official as subcode official. The Construction Official may serve as a subcode official for any subcode which he/she is qualified to administer under the State Uniform Construction Code Act.
A. 
Enforcement by subcode officials. Subcode officials shall enforce the provisions of the subcodes for which they are responsible in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The Ocean County Electrical Bureau is designated to act as the electrical subcode inspection agency for the year 1977.
B. 
Responsibilities and authority of subcode officials. Each subcode official shall be responsible for the administration and enforcement of the appropriate subcode, subject to the procedures of the enforcing agency as administrated by the Construction Official. However, each subcode official shall have exclusive decisionmaking authority with respect to the technical provisions of the subcode for which he/she has been appointed the official.
The Township Committee may appoint such other assistants and personnel as it deems necessary for the proper functioning of the enforcing agency. Such assistants and personnel shall be under the supervision of the Construction Official or the appropriate subcode official.
The Construction Official and all subcode officials and other personnel shall be qualified in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
The Construction Official and all subcode officials shall be appointed for a term of four years, beginning January 1 of the year of appointment.
The annual salary and compensation for the Construction Official and all subcode officials and other personnel shall be determined from time to time by the Township Committee and shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of the Salary Ordinance of the Township.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Salary Ordinance is on file in the Township offices.
A. 
Limitation on outside business or employment. No person employed by the enforcing agency as a Construction Official or subcode official, assistant to the construction or subcode official, trainee, inspector, or plan reviewer, shall engage in, or otherwise be connected directly, or indirectly, for purposes of economic gain, with any business or employment furnishing labor, materials, appliances or services for the construction, alteration, demolition, or maintenance of buildings or structures within the state. Nor shall any such official or employee engage in any other activity or work which conflicts with his official duties.
B. 
Exception. This section shall not apply to:
(1) 
The ownership of stock or other investment instrument in any corporation listed on any national stock exchange;
(2) 
Any such business or employment outside the state;
(3) 
Dual employment by two or more enforcing agencies.
C. 
Time limit. The limitation on outside business or employment described in Subsection A of this section shall, for a period of 18 months from the effective date of the Act, apply to such business or employment within the jurisdiction in which the persons described in Subsection A of this section are employed as code officials. Thereafter the application of Subsection A of this section shall extend throughout the entire state.
A. 
Location; hours. The enforcing agency shall maintain a central permit office at the Town Hall, Railroad Avenue and Street, Waretown, New Jersey. This office shall be open during normal business hours and shall receive applications for construction permits and plan review, issue construction permits and certificates of occupancy, collect fees, penalties, fines and issue notices and orders.
B. 
Right of public. The public shall have the right to do business with the enforcing agency at the office location set forth in Subsection A of this section except in the case of emergencies, or unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2006-7; 3-13-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-05; 10-8-2012 by Ord. 2012-19; 11-8-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-22; 6-11-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-5; 12-13-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-20]
The fee for a construction permit shall be the sum of the subcode fees as listed hereof and shall be paid before the permit is issued.
A. 
Building subcode fees.
(1) 
Minimum fee: $100.
[Amended 7-18-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-13]
(2) 
New construction: Fees for new construction shall be based upon the volume of the structure. Volume shall be computed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.28. Use groups and types of construction are as classified and defined in N.J.A.C. 5:23-Subchapter 3, Subcodes, and Subchapter 4, Enforcing Agencies; Duties; Powers; Procedures.
(a) 
Minimum fee for new construction shall be: $150.
(b) 
New construction (except as listed in other use groups, below), per cubic foot of volume: $0.040.
(c) 
Other use groups: A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5, F-1, F-2, S-1 and S-2, per cubic foot of volume: $0.030.
(d) 
All farm buildings for shelter of livestock and food storage, per cubic foot of volume: $0.0020.
(3) 
Renovations, alterations, repairs, and minor repairs:
(a) 
Fee based on the estimated cost of work. To determine the estimated cost, the applicant shall submit to the Construction Code Official such cost data as may be available produces by the architect or engineer of record, or by a recognized estimating firm, or by bona fide contractor's bid if available shall be submitted. The Construction Code Official shall make final decision regarding the estimated cost.
[1] 
$1 to $50,000: $40 per $1,000.
[2] 
$50,001 to $100,000: add $35 per $1,000.
[3] 
Over $100,000: add $25 per $1,000.
(b) 
Additions: Fees shall be computed on the same basis as for new construction for the added portion. Minimum fee is: $150.
(4) 
Combination renovations and additions: Fees shall be the sum of the fees computed separately as renovation, addition.
(5) 
Demolition: The fee shall be as follows:
(a) 
R-5 buildings or structures: $125.
(b) 
All other use groups: $200.
(6) 
Relocation of buildings or structures:
(a) 
For the relocation of buildings and structures to a new location (including premanufactured construction, assembly or components transported to a construction site), the fee shall be based on the following estimated cost:
[1] 
Transportation and moving.
[2] 
New foundation.
[3] 
Placement of structure in a completed condition at the new site.
[4] 
External utility connections.
[a] 
$1 to $50,000: $40 per $1,000.
[b] 
$50,001 to $100,000: $35 per $1,000
[c] 
Over $100,000: $25 per $1,000.
[d] 
Temporary construction trailer: $100.
(b) 
The applicant shall submit a copy of the contract proposal cost data by the architect or engineer of record, a recognized estimating firm of by contract bid. The Building Subcode Official shall make the final decision regarding the estimated cost.
(7) 
Swimming pools: The fee shall be as follows:
(a) 
R-5 aboveground: $140.
(b) 
Residential in-ground: $200.
(c) 
All other use groups: $300.
(d) 
Pool demo: $75.
(8) 
Storage sheds and similar structures:
[Amended 10-19-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-19]
(a) 
One to 180 square feet (Zoning only) if in a SFHA: same as new construction.
(b) 
201 square feet or larger: same as new construction. [See Subsection A(1).]
(9) 
Tents in excess of 900 square feet or more than 30 feet in any dimension, the fee shall be: $120.
(10) 
Roofing: The fee shall be as follows:
(a) 
R5 use groups: $75.
(b) 
All other use groups, use Subsection A(3).
[Amended 10-19-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-19]
(11) 
Siding: The fee shall be as follows:
(a) 
R-5 use groups: $75.
(b) 
All other use groups, use Subsection A(3).
[Amended 10-19-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-19]
(12) 
Decks: The fees shall be based on the estimated cost as Subsection A(2). Renovations, Alterations. The estimated cost shall be calculated as one square foot equals: $15.
(13) 
Premanufactured fireplaces, freestanding stoves, etc.: $75.
(14) 
Signs: The fee shall be $2 per square foot surface area of the sign computed on one side only on double faced signs. Minimum fee: $75.
(15) 
Sunrooms and screen rooms: $100.
(16) 
Solar attachments:
[Amended 10-19-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-19]
(a) 
R-5 use groups use Subsection A(3); minimum fee $100.
(b) 
All other use groups use Subsection A(3); minimum fee $200.
(17) 
Retaining walls:
(a) 
R-5: $150.
(b) 
All other use groups, use Subsection A(3).
[Amended 10-19-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-19]
(18) 
Platform for generators or a/c compressors: $75.
B. 
Plumbing subcode.
(1) 
Minimum fee: $100.
[Amended 7-18-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-13]
(2) 
Fixtures and appliances. The installation of plumbing per fixture or stack shall include but not be limited to water closets, bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks, laundry tubs, floor drains, vtr, drinking fountains, dishwashers, clothes washers, dryers (new construction), water heaters (new construction), fireplaces (new construction), stoves/range (new construction), generators (new construction), and any gas appliance not listed in this fee schedule, roof drains, hose bibs, icemakers, or similar devices or appliances, the fee shall be as follows:
(a) 
Per fixture, device or appliance: $20.
(3) 
Modular and premanufactured structures installed on site shall be as follows: $175.
(4) 
Special device:
(a) 
R5: the installation of a boiler (hot water or steam)(new construction), pool heaters, generators, backflow preventors, grease traps, interceptors, sewage pump, sump pumps, furnaces (new construction), ac units (new construction) or similar devices: $75.
(b) 
All other use groups: $100.
(5) 
Gas and/or oil piping shall be as follows:
(a) 
R-5: $75.
(b) 
All other use groups: $100.
(6) 
Lawn irrigation: $75.
(7) 
Sewer connection:
(a) 
R-5: $75.
(b) 
All other use groups: $100.
(8) 
Water connection:
(a) 
R5: $75.
(b) 
All other use groups: $100.
(9) 
New or replacement gas or oil-fired equipment in existing R-3, R-4 and R-5 homes: $75.
(10) 
New or replacement A/C systems in existing R-3, R-4 and R-5 homes: $75.
(11) 
Testable BFP: $75.
(12) 
Pool drains:
(a) 
R-5: $75.
(b) 
Pool drains/SVRS - all other use groups: $100.
(13) 
Furnace, new or replacement, not subject to Subsection B(9): $200.
(14) 
A/C system, new or replacement, not subject to Subsection B(9): $200.
(15) 
HVAC system, new or replacement, not subject to Subsection B(9): $200.
(16) 
Rooftop package units (hvac): $100.
(17) 
Septic abandonment: $75.
(18) 
Water heater, new or replacement, not subject to Subsection B(9): $200.
C. 
Fire subcode.
(1) 
Minimum fee: $100.
[Amended 7-18-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-13]
(2) 
Gas or oil-fired appliances, new construction or replacement units in all use groups except R-3, R-4 and R-5:
(a) 
First unit: $60 each.
(b) 
Second and up: $40 each.
(c) 
R-3, R-4 and R-5: Covered in Plumbing Fee, Subsection B(9).
(3) 
Fire suppression systems.
(a) 
1 to 20 heads: $100.
(b) 
21 to 100 heads: $200.
(c) 
101 to 200 heads: $400.
(d) 
201 to 400 heads: $1,000.
(e) 
401 to 1,000 heads: $1,400.
(f) 
Over 1,000 heads: $1,800.
(4) 
Fire alarms, detectors: fees to be computed as fire suppression systems. In computing fees for heads and detectors, the number of each to be computed separately.
(5) 
Fire pumps, the fee shall be: $100.
(6) 
Standpipe system each: $300.
(7) 
Engineered suppression system, the fee shall be: $150.
(8) 
Independent preengineered system, the fee shall be: $150.
(9) 
Incinerators, the fee shall be: $500.
(10) 
Crematoriums, the fee shall be: $500.
(11) 
Spray booths and dipping operations: $150.
(12) 
Fuel dispensing units in the case of service stations, the fee shall be, per island: $225.
(13) 
Installation and removal of storage tanks.
(a) 
R-5: $100.
(b) 
All other use groups: $200.
(14) 
Generator installation: $75.
(15) 
Low-voltage alarms (supplemental): $75.
D. 
Electric subcode.
(1) 
Minimum fee: $100.
[Amended 7-18-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-13]
(2) 
Fixtures or receptacles (receptacles and fixtures shall include lighting outlets, wall switches, electrical discharge fixtures, convenience receptacles, light standards eight feet or less, exit signs/lights or similar fixtures, motors or devices of less than 20 amps, less than one horsepower or less than one kilowatt, burglar, fire and communication devices etc.), the fee shall be as follows:
(a) 
One to 25: $60.
(b) 
Each additional 25: $10.
(c) 
Light standards nine feet or taller (per light standard): $25.
(d) 
Replacement wiring, one branch circuit: $25.
(e) 
Household electrical cooking equipment up to 16 KW: $25.
(f) 
Receptacles, 20 to 50 amps (each): $25.
(g) 
Receptacles, 60 to 100 amps (each): $58.
(h) 
Utility load management devices (each): $58.
(i) 
Burglar, security or fire alarm control device:
[1] 
Up to six devices: $50.
[2] 
Seven or more devices: $75.
(j) 
Motor control center or disconnect means, up to 200 amps: $58.
(k) 
Motor control center or disconnect means, 201 to 1,000 amps: $125.
(l) 
Motor control center or disconnect means, 1,001 amps or higher: $576.
(m) 
Dishwasher: $35.
[Amended 10-19-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-19]
(n) 
Disposal: $40.
(o) 
Furnaces/air conditioning systems: $50.
[Added 10-19-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-19]
(3) 
Motors or electrical devices (each).
(a) 
1 to 9 horsepower: $40.
(b) 
10 to 50 horsepower: $60.
(c) 
51 to 100 horsepower: $125.
(d) 
Over 100 horsepower: $500.
(4) 
Transformers and generators, Kilowatt or Kilovolt (each):
(a) 
1 to 10: $35.
(b) 
11 to 50: $60.
(c) 
51 to 112.5: $125.
(d) 
Over 112.5: $500.
(5) 
Service entrance:
(a) 
With one panel and grounding electrode system:
[1] 
0 to 200 amps: $60.
[2] 
201 to 800 amps: $175.
[3] 
Over 800 amps: $500.
(b) 
Each additional panel: $50.
(c) 
Below does not include cost of service panel:
[1] 
Service cable/feeder replacement (up to 200 amps): $50.
[2] 
Service cable/feeder replacement (201 to 800 amps): $125.
[3] 
Service cable/feeder replacement over 800 amp: $250.
[4] 
Underground service lateral, 1 to 200 amp: $50.
[5] 
Underground service lateral, 201 to 800 amp: $125.
[6] 
Underground service lateral, over 800 amp: $250.
(6) 
For the purpose of computing fees above, all motors and plug-in appliances shall be counted including control equipment, generators, transformers and heating, cooking or other devices consuming or generating electrical current.
(7) 
Solar, includes panels, racking, micro inverters, combiners and grounding:
[Amended 10-19-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-19]
(a) 
1 to 5 kilowatts: $75.
(b) 
6 to 10 kilowatts: $125.
(c) 
10 to 20 kilowatts: $200.
(d) 
21 to 50 kilowatts: $300.
(e) 
51 to 100 kilowatts: $575.
(8) 
Irrigation system (includes pump and controller): $60.
(9) 
Pools/hot tub/hydro massage tubs/spas:
(a) 
Aboveground R-5: $75.
(b) 
In-ground R-5: $100.
(c) 
All other use groups: $250.
(d) 
E/Q bond inspection, R-5: $60.
(e) 
E/Q bond inspection, all other uses: $150.
(f) 
Pool heater, electric with bond: $40.
(g) 
Pool heater, gas with bond: $25.
*Note-Pool includes one light (light niche, ladder cups, diving board, etc), one receptacle, one (up to 1 hp) filter, motor and required bonding (not E/Q bond).
[Amended 10-19-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-19]
(h) 
Additional pool lights: $15.
(i) 
Pool demo: $60.
(10) 
Generator hookup/transfer switch:
(a) 
Up to 12 kw: $100.
(b) 
13 to 22 kw: $200.
(c) 
23 and over kw: $500.
(11) 
Satellite dish/commercial antennas:
(a) 
Residential: $50.
(b) 
Commercial (on buildings/towers): $100.
(12) 
Signs:
(a) 
1 to 5 Kilowatts: $35.
(b) 
6 to 10 Kilowatts: $60.
(13) 
CSST bond: $60.
(14) 
Meter reset/inspection of electrical system, panel and grounding: $100.
E. 
Elevator subcode fees: shall be in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-12.6.
F. 
Certificate of occupancy fees and other permits.
(1) 
Certificate of occupancy (10% of new construction fee or minimum): $100.
(2) 
Certificate of occupancy for change of use: $150.
(3) 
Certificate of continued occupancy: $150.
(a) 
Tenant fit out: $150.
(4) 
Temporary certificate of occupancy extension: $50.
[Amended 10-19-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-19]
(5) 
Certificate of approval for equipment having been determined a hazard by N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.23.(i): $50.
(6) 
Certificate of completion for asbestos abatement: $100.
(7) 
Certificate of lead abatement: $100.
(8) 
Annual electrical and plumbing certificate of compliance (pools/backflow preventers, etc.): $100.
(9) 
Reinstate a lapsed construction permit for each subcode: $60.
(10) 
Fees, miscellaneous, for an item for which a fee has not been established: $75.
(11) 
Plan review: the fee shall be 20% of the new construction fee.
(12) 
Variations applications.
(a) 
Class I buildings: $600.
(b) 
Class II and III buildings: $75.
(13) 
Resubmitted variation fee.
(a) 
Class I buildings: $250.
(b) 
Class II and III buildings: $40.
(14) 
Annual permits issued for all subcodes based on the number of maintenance workers.
(a) 
One to 15 workers: $800.
(b) 
Over 25 workers, each additional worker: $250.
(15) 
Training registration fee per subcode for annual permits paid to State of New Jersey: $175.
(16) 
Training certification and technical support shall be a surcharge paid to the State of New Jersey.
(a) 
New construction cubic feet times: $0.00371.
(b) 
Alterations except demolitions, $1,000 per estimated cost: $1.90.
(c) 
Minimum surcharge: $1.
(17) 
Change of contractor: $25.
G. 
Waiver of construction permit fee.
(1) 
As per N.J.A.C. 52:27D-126e, no person shall be charged a construction permit fee for the construction, reconstruction, alteration or improvement designed or under taken solely to promote accessibility such as a ramp or entrance doorway only, for a disabled persons to an existing residential private structure. A disabled person, or a parent or sibling of a disabled person, shall not be required to pay a fee in order to secure a construction permit for a ramp or entrance doorway.
(2) 
For the purpose of this section, "disabled person" means a person who has the total and permanent inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment, including blindness, and shall include, but not be limited to, any resident of this state who is disabled pursuant to the Federal Social Security Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. § 231 et seq.), or is rated as having 60% disability or highest pursuant to any federal law administered by the United States Veterans' Act. For purposes of this subsection, "blindness" means central visual acuity of 20/20 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens. An eye which is accompanied by a limitation in the field vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20° shall be considered as having a central visual acuity of 20/20 or less.
A. 
Collection; remittance of fees to Bureau of Housing Inspection. In order to provide for the training, certification and technical support programs required by the Uniform Construction Code Act and the regulations, the enforcing agency shall collect, in addition to the fees specified in § 135-25, a surcharge fee of $0.0006 per cubic foot of volume of new construction. Such surcharge fee shall be remitted to the Bureau of Housing Inspection, Department of Community Affairs, on a quarterly basis, for the fiscal quarters ending September 30, December 31, March 31 and June 30 of each year, and not later than one month next succeeding the end of the quarter for which it is due, beginning March 31, 1977.
B. 
Annual report to Bureau of Housing Inspection. At the end of each fiscal year, and not later than July 31, the enforcing agency shall report to the Bureau of Housing Inspection the total amount of surcharge fees collected during the fiscal year; provided, however, that the first annual report shall be for the third and fourth quarters only of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1977.
The Construction Official shall, with the advice of the subcode officials, prepare and submit to the Township Committee biannually, a report recommending a fee schedule based on the operating expenses of the department.
A schedule of the fees imposed by this article shall be posted in the office of the Construction Official and shall be accessible to the public.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1999-32]
A. 
Every person, corporation, company or entity applying for the issuance of the renewal of any license or permit issued by or requiring the approval of the Township, shall provide proof that there are no delinquent property taxes or assessments due on the property that is the subject of the license or permit on the property upon which a licensed activity or business is or will be conducted.
B. 
If the applicant is the owner of the property that is the subject of the license or on which a licensed activity or business is or will be conducted, then the municipality or the municipal officer or Township officer charged with issuing or renewing the license or permit shall condition the issuance or renewal of the license or permit upon the payment by the applicant of any delinquent property taxes or assessments on the subject property.
C. 
In the event that any permit holder or licensee who is the owner of the property affected by the license or upon which the license business or activity is conducted, fails to pay property taxes on the property for at least three consecutive quarters, a notice shall be sent by the Township to the property owner advising that if the taxes are not brought current with 90 days, then any and all licenses or permits issued by the municipality shall immediately be suspended. Such suspension shall become effective immediately and automatically upon failure of the property owner to bring his/her taxes current within 90 days from issuance of the notice by the Township set forth herein.
D. 
Upon payment by the licensee or permit holder of all delinquent taxes or assessments due on the property or on which the licensed activity or business is conducted, said license or permit shall be automatically restored.
E. 
The provisions of Subsection C of this section shall only apply in the event that the licensee or permit holder is also the owner of the property upon which the licensed business or activity is conducted.
F. 
The provisions of this section shall not apply to, nor include, any alcoholic beverage license or permit issued pursuant to the New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, N.J.S.A. 33:1 et seq.
A. 
Whenever a term used in this article is defined in the Act or the regulations promulgated thereunder, such term is intended to have the meaning set forth in the definition of such term in the Act or the regulations, unless a contrary intention is clearly and explicitly expressed from the context of this article.
B. 
Terms defined.
[Added 9-23-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-6]
ON-GROUND POOLS
Pools with a potential depth of no more than 36 inches from the ground and are easy-setup or blowup-type structure.
SWIMMING POOLS
All swimming pools in excess of 24 inches depth.
All ordinances or sections thereof inconsistent with the terms of this article, or the Act, or the regulations promulgated thereunder are, to the extent of such inconsistency, superseded and repealed.
Immediately upon the adoption of this article, the Township Clerk shall file a certified copy of the chapter with the Commissioner of Community Affairs of the State of New Jersey.
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to ensure that at the time of construction of a new building, or at the time a building or structure is being renovated or altered that the site around said construction area is free and clear of debris by being properly stored in a dumpster.
B. 
Building permit required. A structure being altered or renovated is defined as an existing structure being changed or altered so as to necessitate the obtaining of a building permit pursuant to the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code.
C. 
Storage and removal of materials. During the renovation or alteration of a structure, all materials being "torn out" or "removed" shall be properly stored in a dumpster at said site or, in the alternative, immediately removed from the site.
D. 
Maintenance of materials during construction. During the construction of a new building, all materials must be neatly stacked or placed upon the property in question and shall be limited to those materials to be installed in the newly constructed building or structure.