City of Plainfield, NJ Economic Development

As allowed by the Charter, there shall be established a Department of Economic Development, the head of which shall be the Director of Economic Development who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council and may be one of the division heads. The Director shall serve during the term of office of the Mayor appointing him/her and until the appointment and qualification of his/her successor, subject to removal as provided by the Charter.

Within the Department of Economic Development there may be an Administrative Assistant designated as Secretary to the Director, who shall be appointed by the Director with the approval of the Administrator. The Administrative Assistant shall serve during the term of office of the Director appointing him/her, subject to removal as provided in the case of a Department Director appointed by the Mayor.

(c)

Administrative Officer for Development Applications. The Director of Economic Development or his/her designee is to serve as the Administrative Officer for Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment development applications, to be known as Administrative Officer for Development Applications, to perform all functions delegated to the Administrative Officer pursuant to the Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-3, except those functions delegated to the Construction Code Official under the provisions of Chapter 3, Article 11A, Historic Preservation Commission, Part 2.

§ 2:10-2 Division of Planning.

Within the Department of Economic Development, there shall be established the Division of Planning, the head of which shall be the Planning Director. Subject to the direction and supervision of the Director of Economic Development, the Division shall:

(1)

Assist the Director of the Department of Economic Development in the planning process and policy formulation with respect to the overall master planning, policy and program analysis of Federal, State and County programs, laws and regulations through research and analysis. These services include:

Research, analysis and recommendations with respect to the physical development and master planning of the City of Plainfield.

Preparation of development of the annual capital improvement program.

Research, analysis and recommendations with respect to the transportation and public parking needs of the City.

Administration and execution of programs for the improvement, maintenance and preservation of housing including historic preservation planning in the City of Plainfield. The Division shall also administer and execute the City's relocation program and any other related housing programs as authorized by and within the requirements of Federal and State laws and regulations.

Technical assistance including program design and financial aid applications as required by law.

§ 2:10-3 through § 2:10-4. (Reserved) [1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Former § 2:10-3, Traffic and Parking Committee, and § 2:10-4, Plainfield Homesteading Program, were repealed 2-11-2019 by Ord. No. MC 2019-04.

§ 2:10-5 Division of Building and Construction.

[Added 3-15-2021 by Ord. No. MC 2021-05]

There shall be a Division of Building and Construction within the Department of Economic Development. Subject to the direction and supervision of the Director of Economic Development, the Division shall:

Administer and enforce the Uniform Construction Code through the Construction Official pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.4(a)1.

Administer and enforce the Property Maintenance Code, exercise and discharge the functions, and have the powers and duties therein provided for the "Public Officer."

§ 2:10-6 State Uniform Construction Code Enforcing Agency.

[Added 3-15-2021 by Ord. No. MC 2021-05]

§ 2:10-6A Established.

There is hereby established in the City of Plainfield a State Uniform Construction Code Enforcing Agency to be known as the Department of Economic Development, consisting of a Director, Construction Official, a Building Subcode Official, a Plumbing Subcode Official, an Electrical Subcode Official, a Fire Protection Subcode Official and such other subcode officials for additional subcodes as the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, State of New Jersey shall hereafter adopt as part of the State Uniform Construction Code. The Construction Official (Director of the Division of Inspections) shall be the chief administrator of the enforcing agency. All positions required or necessary to insure the proper enforcement of the State Uniform Construction Code shall be appointed in accordance with the City Charter or, where applicable, in accordance with New Jersey State Civil Service Rules and Regulations.

Each official position created in Subsection (a) hereof shall be filled by a person qualified for such position pursuant to P.L. 1975, c. 217,[1] as amended, and N.J.A.C. 5:23, provided that, in lieu of any particular subcode official, an on-site inspection agency may be retained by contract pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23. More than one such official position may be held by the same person, provided that such person is qualified pursuant to P.L. 1975, c. 217 as amended and N.J.A.C. 5:23 to hold such position.

[1]

Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-123 et seq.

(c)

The public shall have the right to do business with the enforcing agency at one office location except for emergencies and unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances.

§ 2:10-6B Board of Appeals.

All appeals from decisions by the enforcing agency shall be filed within 15 days of the decision with the Union County Board of Construction Appeals, as provided by N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 5:23A-2.

The Construction Official shall submit a monthly report to the Director, Finance Officer, Business Administrator, and the Mayor providing detail for the permit activity, and money collected no later than the seventh day of the month.

(c)

The Construction Official shall make the final decision regarding estimated cost.

§ 2:10-6C Fee schedule.

Subcode fees shall be as follows:

(1)

Building Subcode fees shall be:

For new construction $0.03 for the first 12 months. At the end of the twenty-four-month period the fee shall increase to $0.0395 per cubic foot of building or structure volume, provided that the minimum fee shall be $75 for use group A 1-2-3-4-5, F and S 1 and 2, $0.0395.

For renovations, alterations, repairs, re-roofing and re-siding, and for structures and appurtenances for which special volume cannot be calculated a minimum fee of $24 per $1,000 or any portion thereof of the estimated cost of construction up to $50,000; for $50,001 to $100,000 of estimated cost, $18 per $1,000 of estimated cost; over $100,000 of estimated cost, $17 per $1,000.

For additions, $0.03 in 12 months. At the end of the twenty-four-month period the fee shall increase to $0.0395 per cubic foot of building or structure volume provided that the minimum fee shall be $75 for use group A 1-2-3-4, F and S 1 and 2, $0.0395 per cubic foot of building or structure volume.

For combination work of new construction and alteration the sum of both fees computed separately: minimum fee, $75.

For demolition of a building for residential, $300 for structure less than 5,000 sq. ft. in area and less than 30 feet in height for one- or two-family residences (R-3), and for structures on farms, including commercial farms; for structure residences (R-2) multibuilding, $450 per dwelling unit; for commercial or industrial, $100. Minimum $450, the fee for a demolition (commercial and industrial) shall be for each 5,000 cu. feet, with a minimum fee. The fee for an accessory structure shall be $75.

For moving of a building, $35 per $1,000 of cost of moving and new foundation cost, provided that the minimum fee shall be $100.

For the construction of an aboveground pool shall be as the renovations and alterations, estimated cost with a minimum fee of $75.

For the installation of signs, $3 per square foot of surface area computed on one side only for double-faced signs, provided the minimum fee shall be $75.

For a certificate of occupancy, 10% of the new construction permit fee, minimum $300 per dwelling unit; other than residential, $400. The fee for a continued certificate of occupancy shall be same as certificate of occupancy fees.

For a certificate of approval on all building permits not requiring a certificate of occupancy or a continued certificate of occupancy, $0. Certificate of approval requiring fee shall be $100.

Sheds up to 100 square feet estimated cost over 100 square feet requiring footings by volume.

(L)

House trailer - per six months, $300.

(i)

Office trailers on construction site, $100 per year.

(M)

Renewal of permit - 10% of original construction fee or $75 minimum.

(N)

Asbestos removal permit, $300 and $100 for certificate of occupancy upon completion.

(O)

Radon mitigation system, $100.

(P)

Lead abatement, residential, $200 per unit or apartment; commercial or industrial, $300; clearance certificate, $100.

(2)

Plumbing Subcode fees shall be:

For fixtures and stacks, $20 per fixture or stack and shall include but not be limited to sinks, urinals, water closets, bathtubs, shower stalls, dishwashers, garbage disposals, or drinking fountains, or similar devices. Minimum fee is $75.

For installation of a new water supply line, $100.

For installation of hot water heater, $75 per unit.

For installation of a new sewer connection, $2,836.00 per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU).

[Amended 5-8-2023 by Ord. No. MC 2023-12]

For inspection of existing cross connections, for each required three-month inspection, $75; annual inspection, $100.

For installation of gas or liquid boilers, $75; each additional, $75; fuel oil piping, $75.

For installation of water cooled, air-conditioning system, $75.

For installation of grease trap or oil separator, $75.

For alteration of septic system, $75.

Gas piping air test, $75.

Backflow preventer, $20 residential, $75 commercial.

(L)

Refrigeration unit, $75.

(M)

Air conditioner, $75.

(3)

Electrical Subcode fees shall be:

For from one to 50 receptacles or fixtures, the fee shall be in the amount of $75; for each additional 25 receptacles or fixtures, the fee shall be $20. Receptacles or fixtures shall include lighting outlets, wall switches, fluorescent fixtures, convenience receptacle or similar fixture, and motors or devices of less than one horsepower or one kilowatt.

For each motor or electrical device greater than one horsepower and less than or equal to 10 horsepower; and for transformers and generators greater than one kilowatt and less than or equal to 10 kilowatts, the fees shall be $75.

For each motor or electrical device greater than 10 horsepower and less than or equal to 50 horsepower, the fee shall be $75; for each service panel, service entrance or subpanel less than or equal to 200 amperes the fee shall be $75; and for all transformers and generators greater than 10 kilowatts and less than or equal to 45 kilowatts, the fee shall be $75.

For each motor or electrical device greater than 50 horsepower and less than or equal to 100 horsepower the fee shall be $125; for each service panel, service entrance or subpanel greater than 200 and less than 250, the fee shall be $125; service entrance from 250 to 300 amperes, the fee shall be $200; service entrance from 350 to 400 amperes, the fee shall be $200; service entrance from 450 to 500 amperes, the fee shall be $200; service entrance from 550 to 600, the fee shall be $200; service entrance from 650 to 700, the fee shall be $200; service entrance from 750 to 800, the fee shall be $200; service entrance from 850 to 900, the fee shall be $300; service entrance from 950 to 1,000, the fee shall be $300; and for transformers and generators greater than 45 kilowatts and less than or equal to 112.5 kilowatts, the fee shall be $125.

For each motor or electrical device greater than 100 horsepower; for each service entrance or subpanel greater than 1,000 amperes; and for each transformer or generator greater than 112.5 kilowatts, the fee shall be $500.

For the purpose of computing these fees, all motors except those in plug-in appliances shall be counted, including control equipment, generators, transformers and all heating, cooking or other devices consuming or generating electrical current.

For installation or wiring for swimming pools, $75 for an aboveground pool; for an in-ground pool, $75 as two inspections are required.

For installation of electrical central heating, $20 for each heating device, provided that the minimum fee shall be $75.

For installation of a central air-conditioning system, $75.

For installation of smoke detectors, the fee shall be for up to 10 detectors and one control panel, $50; each additional control panel or detector, $10.

For installation of new heating units, the fee shall be $75.

(4)

Fire Protection Subcode fees shall be:

For installation of standpipes, $300.

The fee for automatic sprinklers, 20 or fewer heads, the fee shall be $75; for 21 to and including 100 heads, the fee shall be $100; for 101 to and including 200 heads or detectors, the fee shall be $275; for 201 to and including 400 heads, the fee shall be $625; for 401 to including 1,000 heads, the fee shall be $900; for over 1,000 heads, the fee shall be $1,250. In computing fees for heads, the number of each shall be counted.

The fee for each gas- or oil-fired appliance which is not connected to the plumbing system shall be $75.

The fee for each incinerator shall be $450.

The fee for each crematorium shall be $450.

For installation of a fire alarm system, $200 for a central control station; for manual and automatic systems, one to 10 devices, provided that an additional device being $1 up to 100 devices, provided that an additional fee of $75 per each 25 devices over the first 100 devices shall be included.

For installation of heating units, $75.

For installation of storage tanks, for inside tanks or replacements, $200 per tank; for underground storage tanks, $200 per tank.

For installation of fire suppression systems, $75 per $1,000 construction cost, minimum fee $75.

For installation of commercial cooking equipment, each, $75 per $1,000 construction cost, minimum fee $75.

For installation of other fire suppression systems, $75.

(L)

For installation of metal or masonry wood stoves, fireplaces, or other unit heater, $75 per chimney or heater.

(i)

Gasoline pump installation shall be $75.

(ii)

Fire pump installation shall be $75.

(iii)

Kitchen exhaust system shall be $75.

(5)

For Mechanical Subcode fees:

For mechanical systems to existing building, provided the minimum mechanical subcode fee shall be $75.

(6)

General fees:

Plan review fees shall be 25% of the amount to be charged for the construction permit and shall be paid before the plans are reviewed. The amount paid shall be credited toward the total of the fees charged for the construction permit. Nonrefundable.

Twenty-five percent surcharge on any subcode fee processed by a third-party agency licensed by the State of New Jersey, provided that the minimum fee shall be $10. Section 2:18C(6)(b): As per N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.18(k), fees to be charged by municipalities where private on-site inspection and plan review agencies carry out subcode official responsibilities shall not exceed the amounts to be paid to those private agencies under the contract between the private agency and the municipality by more than 15% and there is no minimum fee.

Training and certification fees shall be in addition to the fees specified above. A surcharge fee of $0.0016 per cubic foot of volume of new construction shall be charged. All other construction shall be $0.80 per $1,000 value of construction. The surcharge shall be remitted to the Department of Community Affairs on a quarterly basis. The enforcing agency shall report annually at the end of each fiscal year the total amount of the surcharge fees collected in that fiscal year. All fees for training and certification shall be deposited in a separate dedicated account. Fees shall be remitted directly to the Department of Community Affairs from this account.

An application for a variation, that requires substantial variation from the applicable codes, may request from the Construction Official or applicable subcode officials a variation from the Code. The fee for said variation shall be $125.

Permit renewal fee shall be 10% of original construction permit fee, minimum fee $75.

An application to the Construction Board of Appeals to appeal a decision rendered by the Construction Official or applicable subcode officials shall be made on forms provided by the enforcing agency, to be forwarded to the Union County Board of Appeals within 15 days of the decision, or such other time as is established by the state. The application to the Board of Appeals shall be $100, or such fee as may be established by the Union County Board of Appeals.

Notwithstanding the above schedule of fees, a third-party agency fee and any fees herein omitted from the above schedule of fees shall be adjusted to conform to the fee schedule of the Department of Community Affairs as authorized by the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs of the State of New Jersey and as per contract. All third-party agency fees shall be deposited in a separate dedicated account. All costs incurred for third-party agency work will be paid from this account.

The Construction Official shall, with the advice of the subcode officials, prepare and submit to the Plainfield City Council every two years annually following adoption of this section a report recommending a fee schedule based on the operation expenses of the City of Plainfield fairly attributable to the enforcement of the State Uniform Construction Code Act.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.