Township of Delran, NJ Chapter 118 Construction Codes, Uniform

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Delran as Sec. 14-1 of the 1993 Revised General Ordinances. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 118-1 Enforcing agency established.

[Amended 8-7-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-25]

The state uniform construction code enforcing agency is the Division of Inspection, as established by Chapter 20, Article XIII, Division of Inspection.

§ 118-2 Appeals.

All appeals shall be handled by the Burlington County Construction Board of Appeals, whose offices are located on Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, New Jersey.

§ 118-3 Fees.

[Amended 8-7-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-25; 8-3-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-15]

A. The basic construction fee shall be the sum of the parts computed on the basis of the volume or cost of construction; the number of plumbing fixtures and pieces of equipment; the number of electrical fixtures and devices; the number of sprinklers, standpipes and detectors (heat and smoke); the number of lift devices and their appurtenances; and shall be calculated at the unit rates provided herein plus any special fees. The fee for plan review shall be 20% of the amount to be charged for a new construction permit. Plan review fees are not refundable. The minimum fee for a basic construction permit covering any or all of building, electrical, plumbing, fire protection or elevator/lift/escalator work shall not be less than $65 for each subcode. All fees shall be rounded to the nearest dollar and paid in full prior to the issuance of a construction permit.

(1) The building volume or cost. The fees for new construction or alterations are as follows:

(a) 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. The construction fee shall be in the amount of $0.055 per cubic foot of volume for structures of all types of construction and use groups as classified and defined in Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 of the International Building Code, except that:

[1] For structures of Use Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, F-1, F-2, S-1 and S-2, the construction fee shall be in the amount of $0.025 per cubic foot of volume; and

[2] Fees for renovations, alterations and repairs or site construction associated with pre-engineered systems of commercial farm buildings, premanufactured construction, and the external utility connection for premanufactured construction shall be based upon the estimated cost of the work. The fee shall be in the amount of $40 per $1,000 for the first $50,000, prorated. From $50,001 to and including $100,000, the fee on the amount exceeding $50,000 shall be in the amount of $25 per $1,000 of the estimated cost, prorated. Above $100,000, the fee on the amount exceeding $100,000 shall be in the amount of $10 per $1,000 of estimated cost, prorated. For the purpose of determining estimated cost, the applicant shall submit to the Department such cost data as may be available produced by the architect or engineer of record, or by a recognized estimating firm, or by the contractor. A bona fide contractor's bid, if available, shall be submitted. The Department shall make the final decision regarding estimated cost.

(b) Fees for additions shall be computed on the same basis as for new construction for the added portion.

(c) Fees for combination renovations and additions shall be computed as the sum of the fees calculated separately in accordance with Subsection A(1)(a)[1] and [2] above.

(d) Fees for modular homes shall be a flat fee of $400.

(e) Fees for mobile homes shall be a flat fee of $400.

(f) Fees for temporary structures shall be as follows:

[1] Garden-type utility sheds which are 200 square feet or less, 10 feet or less in height for residential (R-3, R-5) properties are not required to have a construction permit. All other use groups are required to obtain a permit and pay a flat fee of $60.

[2] Garden-type utility sheds which are larger than 100 square feet, but not more than 200 square feet, 10 feet in height for residential (R-3, R-5) properties shall be a flat fee of $60. All other use groups shall be a flat fee of $100.

[3] The fee for fabric shelters, sheds, or accessory structures of Use Group U larger than 200 square feet, or more than 10 feet in height shall be calculated as in Subsection A(1)(a) above but shall not be less than $125 for all use groups.

(g) Fees for tents 1,600 square feet or larger or more than 40 feet in any one direction shall be a flat fee of $90.

(h) Fees for fences higher than six feet shall be a flat fee of $75 for Use Groups R-3 and R-5. All other use groups shall be calculated as per Subsection A(1)(a)[2] above.

(i) Fees for signs 15 square feet or less per side shall be a flat fee of $20. Signs larger than 15 square feet per side shall be calculated at the rate of $3.50 per square foot of the sign computed on one side only but shall not be less than $90. Fees for temporary signs shall be a flat fee of $60.

(j) The fee for a storable swimming pool, fish pond or similar structure shall be a flat fee of $60.

(k) Fees for swimming pools aboveground and not more than four feet six inches in depth shall be a flat fee of $120.

(l) Fees for swimming pools other than those covered in Subsection A(1)(k) above shall be a flat fee of $175.

(m) Fees for reroofing or residing on structures of Use Groups R-3 and R-5 shall be a flat fee of $75 each. All other use groups shall be calculated as per Subsection A(1)(a)[2] above.

(n) Fuel oil storage tanks. The fee for removal of an R-3 or R-5 Use Group storage tank shall be $60; all other tank removals shall be $90. The fee for installation of a storage tank shall be $300, except that Use Groups R-3 and R-5 shall be a flat fee of $55.

(o) The fee for a demolition permit shall be $55 for temporary structures less than 100 square feet and less than 10 feet in height. All other demolition permits for temporary structures shall be $55.

(p) The fee for a demolition permit shall be $150 for a structure less than 5,000 square feet in area and less than 30 feet in height as well as farm buildings, including commercial farm buildings under N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.2(d). For all other structures, the fee shall be $300.

(q) The fee for the demolition of a pool shall be $55.

(r) Fees for retaining walls shall be as follows:

[1] The fee for a retaining wall with a surface area greater than 550 square feet that is associated with a Class 3 residential structure shall be $189.

[2] The fee for a retaining wall with a surface area of 550 square feet or less that is associated with a Class 3 residential structure shall be $95.

[3] The fee for a newly constructed retaining wall of any size at other than a Class 3 residential structure shall be based on the cost of the construction.

(2) Electrical fixtures and devices. The fee shall be as follows:

(a) For the first block consisting of one to 50 receptacles, fixtures or devices, the fee shall be $60; for each additional block consisting of up to 25 receptacles, fixtures or devices, the fee shall be $1. For the purpose of computing this fee, receptacles, fixtures or devices shall include lighting fixtures, wall switches, convenience receptacles, sensors, dimmers, alarm devices, smoke and heat detectors, communications outlets, light standards eight feet or less in height, including luminaries, emergency lights, electric signs, exit lights or similar electric fixtures and devices rated 20 amperes or less, including motors or equipment rated less than one horsepower (hp) or one kilowatt (kw).

(b) For each motor or electrical device rated from one hp or one kw to 10 hp or 10 kw; for each transformer or generator rated from one kw or one kva to 10 kw or 10 kva; for each replacement of wiring involving one branch circuit or part thereof; for each storable pool or hydromassage bathtub; for each underwater lighting fixture; for household electric cooking equipment rated up to 16 kw; for each fire, security or burglar alarm control unit; for each receptacle rated from 30 amperes to 50 amperes; for light standards greater than eight feet in height including luminaries; and for each communications closet; the fee shall be $20.

(c) For each motor or electrical device rated from greater than 10 hp or 10 kw to 50 hp or 50 kw; for each service equipment, panel board, switchboard, switch gear, motor control center, or disconnecting means rated 225 amperes or less; for each transformer or generator rated from greater than 10 kw or 10 kva to 45 kw or 45 kva; for each electric sign rated from greater than 20 amperes to 225 amperes, including associated disconnecting means; for each receptacle rated greater than 50 amperes; and for each utility load management device, the fee shall be $75.

(d) For each motor or electrical device rated from greater than 50 hp or 50 kw to 100 hp or 100 kw; for each service equipment, panel board, switchboard, switch gear, motor control center or disconnecting means rated from greater than 225 amperes to 1,000 amperes; and for each transformer or generator rated from greater than 45 kw or 45 kva to 112.5 kw or 112.5 kva; the fee shall be $145.

(e) For each motor or electrical device rated greater than 100 hp or 100 kw; for each service equipment, panel board, switchboard, switch gear, motor control center or disconnecting means rated greater than 1,000 amperes; and for each transformer or generator rated greater than 112.5 kw or 112.5 kva; the fee shall be $750.

(f) The fee charged for electrical work for each permanently installed private swimming pool as defined in the building subcode, spa, hot tub or fountain shall be a flat fee of $78 Storable pools, fountains and spas for private (R-3 or R-5) shall be a flat fee of $60. In-ground pools for private (R-3 or R-5) shall be a flat fee of $125. These flats fees shall include all receptacles, motors, pumps, switching, heaters and underwater lighting directly required for the pool, spa or fountain only.

(g) The fee charged for the installation of single and multiple station smoke, heat, carbon monoxide or fire detectors in any one- or two-family dwelling shall be a flat fee of $40 per dwelling unit. All other types of alarms shall be charged in accordance with Subsection A(2)(a) and (b) above.

(h) For installations consisting of multimeter stacks, the fee shall be based on the ampere rating of the main bus and not upon the number of meters or rating of disconnects on the meter stack. Individual loadside panel boards shall be charged in accordance with Subsection A(2)(c), (d), or (e) above. There shall be no additional fee charged for the concurrent installation of individual feeder conductors.

(i) For motors or similar devices requiring concurrent installation of individual controls, relays and switches, the fee shall be based only upon the rating of the motor or device. There shall be no additional fee charged for the concurrent installation of individual circuit components, for example, controllers, starters, and disconnecting means.

(j) For electrical work requiring replacement of service entrance conductors or feeder conductors only, the fee shall be based on the designated ampere rating of the overcurrent device of the service or feeder as follows:

[1] Two hundred twenty-five amperes or less: $75;

[2] Two hundred twenty-six to 1,000 amperes, the fee shall be $145; and

[3] Greater than 1,000 amperes: the fee shall be $750.

(k) The fee charged for process equipment shall be based on the ampere rating of the overcurrent device protecting the conductor feeding the process equipment or the cutoff device.

(l) For the purpose of computing these fees, all electrical and communications devices, utilization equipment and motors which are part of premises wiring, except those which are portable plug-in type, shall be counted.

(m) For photovoltaic systems, the fee shall be based on the designated kilowatt rating of the solar photovoltaic system as follows:

[1] One to 50 kilowatts: $100;

[2] Fifty-one to 100 kilowatts: $250;

[3] Greater than 100 kilowatts: $750; and

[4] For each megawatt, the fee shall be $1,000.

(3) Plumbing fixtures and equipment. The fees shall be as follows:

(a) The fee shall be in the amount of $20 per fixture, piece of equipment or appliance connected to the plumbing system, and for each appliance connected to the gas piping or oil piping system, except as indicated in Subsection A(3)(b) below.

(b) The fee shall be $95 per special device for the following: grease traps, oil separators, refrigeration units, utility service connections, backflow preventers equipped with test ports (double check valve assembly, reduced pressure zone and pressure vacuum breaker backflow preventers), steam boilers, hot-water boilers (excluding those for domestic water heating), active solar systems, sewer pumps and interceptors. There shall be no inspection fee charged for gas service entrances.

(4) For fire protection and hazardous equipment, sprinklers, standpipes, detectors (smoke and heat or carbon monoxide), pre-engineered suppression systems, gas- and oil-fired appliances not connected to the plumbing system, kitchen exhaust systems, incinerators and crematoriums, the fee shall be as follows:

(a) The fee for 20 or fewer heads shall be $95; for 21 to and including 100 heads, the fee shall be $151; for 101 to and including 200 heads, the fee shall be $300; for 201 to and including 400 heads, the fee shall be $748; for 401 to and including 1,000 heads, the fee shall be $1,200; for over 1,000 heads, the fee shall be $1,500.

(b) The fee for one to 12 detectors shall be $60; for each 25 detectors in addition to this, the fee shall be in the amount of $25.

(c) The fee for each standpipe shall be $289.

(d) The fee for each independent pre-engineered system shall be $145.

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

(f) The fee for each kitchen exhaust system shall be $150.

(g) The fee for each incinerator shall be $500.

(h) The fee for each crematorium shall be $460.

(i) For single and multiple station smoke or heat detectors and fire alarm systems in any one- or two-family dwellings, there shall be a flat fee of $60 per dwelling unit. For detectors and fire alarm systems in buildings other than one- or two-family dwellings, the fee shall be charged in accordance with Subsection A(4)(b) above.

(5) The fee for plan review for elevator devices in structures of Group R-3, R-4, or R-5, and for elevator devices wholly within dwelling units in structures of Group R-2 shall be $63 for each device.

(6) The fee for plan review for elevator devices in structures of groups other than R-3, R-4 or R-5 and devices in structures of Group R-2 exempted by Subsection A(5) above shall be $328 for each device.

(7) The fees for elevator device inspections and tests shall be as set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:23-12.

(8) The fee for a mechanical inspection in a structure of Group R-3 or R-5 by a mechanical inspector shall be $85 for the first device and $25 for each additional device. No separate fee shall be charged for gas, fuel oil, or water piping connections associated with the mechanical equipment inspected.

(9) For certificates and miscellaneous items, the fees are as follows:

(a) The fee for a certificate of occupancy shall be a flat fee of $65.

(b) There shall be no fee for a certificate of approval.

(c) The fee for a certificate of occupancy granted pursuant to a change of use group shall be a flat fee of $150.

(d) The fee for a certificate of continued occupancy shall be a flat fee of $150.

(e) There shall be a fee for a temporary certificate of occupancy of $35 and $35 for each issuance thereafter.

[1] Exception 1: There shall be no fee for the first issuance of the temporary certificate of occupancy, provided the certificate of occupancy fee is paid at the time when the permit is first issued.

[2] Exception 2: Where a written request for a temporary certificate of occupancy is made for reasons other than uncompleted work covered by the permit (such as uncompleted work required by prior approvals from state or municipal agencies), no renewal fee shall be charged.

(f) The fee for a plan review of a building for compliance under the alternate systems and nondepletable energy source provisions of the energy subcode shall be $345 for one- and two-family homes (Use Group R-3 and R-5) as well as light commercial structures having the indoor temperature controlled from a single point. For all other structures, the fee shall be $1,725.

(g) For cross connections and backflow preventers that are subject to testing, requiring reinspection annually, the fee shall be $75 for each device when they are tested.

(h) The fee for a permit for lead-hazard-abatement work shall be $150. The fee for a lead-abatement clearance certificate shall be $60.

(i) The fee for a permit for asbestos-hazard-abatement work shall be $150. The fee for an asbestos-related certificate of occupancy shall be $60.

(j) The fee for the annual electrical inspection of swimming pools, spas or hot tubs shall be $60.

(k) The fee for an application for a variation in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.10 shall be $975 for Class I structures, and $250 for Class II structures, and $168 for Class III structures. The fee for resubmission of an application for a variation shall be $200 for a Class I structure, $60 for a Class II structure and $30 for a Class III structure.

(l) Hourly charges and fees for development-wide inspection of homes after issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall be in such amount as may be reasonable and necessary in order to ascertain whether a violation exists or to verify that any work performed has abated the violation. The hourly fee shall not exceed four times the hourly rate of pay for the Construction Official or any of the subcode officials or inspectors involved in determining whether a violation exists or verifying that any work performed has abated the violations.

(m) In addition to the fees specified above, a surcharge fee of $0.00334 per cubic foot of volume shall be charged for new construction or additions, and a surcharge fee of $1.70 for alterations, renovations and repairs. The surcharges shall be collected for training, certification and technical support programs as required by the Uniform Construction Code Act.[1]

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

B. The Construction Official shall determine the fee(s) for special services and/or conditions not specifically provided for in Subsection A above. Additionally, the Construction Official shall, with the advice of the subcode officials, prepare and submit to the Council biannually a report recommending a fee schedule based on the operating expenses of the enforcing agency and any other expense of the State Uniform Construction Code Act.[2]

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

C. The local enforcing agency fee schedule for the various subcodes shall be deleted and the current state fee schedule inserted in its place in the event that the work is contracted for by a third-party agency. In addition to the state (D.C.A.) fees, an administrative surcharge of 15% shall be added thereto.

D. Waiver of fees.

(1) In the case of construction by the Township of Delran, Delran Board of Education, the Delran Fire Department, the Delran Sewer Authority and the Delran Emergency Squad, all construction, inspection, plan review or other fees of whatever nature set forth in this chapter may be waived by the Construction Official. The waiver of such fees is limited to the fees which represent income to the Township of Delran; such a waiver shall not include payments to third-party inspection agencies or other fees that are mandated by the State of New Jersey.

(2) Such waiver as set forth in Subsection D(1) above shall be effectuated by request, in writing, to the Construction Official. The Construction Official shall give that waiver once satisfied that the request is consistent with the terms of this section.

(3) No fee shall be collected for work that may be required on a primary structure located on any lot or premises consequential to a natural disaster.

§ 118-4 Annual report to Township Council.

The Construction Official shall, with the advice of the subcode officials, prepare and submit to the Council annually a report recommending a fee schedule based on the operating expenses of the agency and any other expenses of the Township 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.

§ 118-5 Surcharge on new construction.

A. 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, a surcharge fee as set forth in § 150-6A.[1] 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, and not later than one month next succeeding the end of the quarter for which it is due.

[1] Editor's Note: See now § 118-3.

B. The enforcing agency shall report annually at the end of each fiscal year to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, not later than July 31, the total amount of the surcharge fees collected in the fiscal year.