[HISTORY: Derived from Ch. X, Secs. 10-1 and 10-24, of the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of Fort Lee, 1978, adopted 3-1-1979. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Historic Site, Structure, Culture and Landmark Committee — See Ch. 64.
Asbestos — See Ch. 149.
Builders and contractors — See Ch. 159.
Building construction — See Ch. 163.
Demolition of buildings — See Ch. 166.
Numbering of buildings — See Ch. 169.
Certificate of continuing occupancy — See Ch. 182.
Conversion Appeals Board — See Ch. 196.
Elevators — See Ch. 205.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 216.
Housing standards — See Ch. 246.
Land use procedures — See Ch. 261.
Prior notice of utility work — See Ch. 310.
Redevelopment — See Ch. 319.
Sewers — See Ch. 336.
Site plan review — See Ch. 345.
Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 360.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 365.
Swimming pools — See Ch. 368.
Zoning — See Ch. 410.
A. 
There is hereby established in the borough a State Uniform Construction Code enforcing agency to be known as the "Fort Lee Construction Code Agency," consisting of a Construction Official, Building Subcode Official, Plumbing Subcode Official, Electrical Subcode Official, Fire Prevention Official and such other subcode officials for such additional subcodes as the Commissioner of Community Affairs, State of New Jersey, shall hereafter adopt as part of the State Uniform Construction Code. The Construction Official shall be the chief administrator of the enforcing agency.
B. 
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, as amended,[1] 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, and N.J.A.C. 5:23 to hold each such position.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 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.
[Amended 7-19-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-28; 2-12-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-10; 2-10-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-3]
A. 
The following fees for a construction permit shall be the sum of the subcode fees listed in Schedules A through D hereof and shall be paid before the permit is issued.
(1) 
Schedule A: Building Subcode Fees.
[Amended 3-3-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-4]
New Construction:
Based on cubic footage or structural volume
$0.045
Renovations, alterations and repairs:
1.
Renovations, alterations and repairs (commercial)
Per the first $1,000 of estimated cost
$75
For each $1,000 of estimated cost thereafter
$50
2.
Renovations, alterations (residential)
First $1,000
$50
Each $1,000 thereafter
$25
3.
Additions, per cubic foot of volume
$0.025
Lead hazard abatement work
Permit fee
$176
Lead abatement clearance certificate
$35
Demolition:
One- and two-family dwellings
$500
Multifamily
$1,000
For each unit more than 3, add
$50
Residential detached garages, each
$100
Commercial and industrial buildings up to 10,000 square feet
$500
All other commercial and industrial buildings
$1,200
Certificate of Occupancy:
One- and two-family dwellings
$100
Other residential units, per unit
$100
Retail
$150
Temporary certificate of occupancy
$150
Other:
Continual certificate of occupancy (residential)
$100
Continual certificate of occupancy (retail use)
$150
Offices, existing
$150
The fee for an application for a variation in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.10 shall be $748 for Class I structures and $151 for Class II and Class III structures. The fee for resubmission of an application for a variation shall be $289 for Class I structures and $82 for Class II and Class III structures.
If a purchaser of property in the Borough of Fort Lee fails to obtain a continual certificate of occupancy, the Construction Code Official shall notify the property owner of the violation by posting a notice of violation at the premises. If the property owner fails thereafter to obtain a continual certificate of occupancy, the property owner shall be subject to a fine of not less than $250 for the first offense, not less than $350 for the second offense, not less than $500 for the third, and $1,000 for each subsequent offense. Each day a violation continues and a summons is issued beyond the date fixed for compliance in the notice provided shall constitute a separate offense.
Commercial or Industrial:
First 50,000 square feet
$100
Each 1,000 square feet over 50,000
$100
Change in Use:
Fence
Up to 4 feet in height
No fee
Up to 6 feet in height
$65
Air Conditioners:
Residential
Same as alteration fee
Commercial
Same as alteration fee
In-ground swimming pool
$250
Above-ground swimming pool
$150
(2) 
Schedule B: Fire Subcode Fees.
[Amended 10-11-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-32]
New Construction:
Commercial use up to 5,000 square feet
Review/inspection fee of $500, plus $2 per fire protection/detection device, plus additional fees listed below
Commercial use over 5,000 square feet
Review/inspection fee of $1,000, plus $2 per fire protection/detection device, plus additional fees listed below
Residential
Base fee of $100, plus review/inspection fee of $100 for each unit, plus $2 per fire protection/detection device, plus additional fees listed below
Hotel/motel
Base fee of $100, plus review/inspection fee of $100 for each unit, plus $2 per fire protection/detection device, plus additional fees listed below
Renovation:
Commercial use
Review/inspection fee of $200, plus $2 per fire protection/detection device, plus additional fees listed below
Additional Fees:
Fire alarm control panel
$500
Fire pump
$500
Flexible chimney pipe
$100
Fuel storage tanks, residential:
One- and two-family, owner-occupied multiple dwellings (same as commercial below)
$100
Fuel storage tanks, commercial:
Up to 999 gallons
$100
1,000 to 2,999 gallons
$200
3,000 to 4,999 gallons
$300
Over 5,000 gallons
$400
Gas/oil appliance (per appliance)
$100
Kitchen hood system, commercial
$200
Kitchen hood suppression systems
$100
Dry chemical, CO2, halon, foam, etc.
$300
Stand pipes (per riser)
$250
Stairwell pressurization/smoke removal systems
$1,000
(3) 
Schedule C: Plumbing Subcode Fees.
[Amended 12-19-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-31; 3-3-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-4]
Installation/Replacement:
Each fixture or vent stack
$25
Water Service/Gas Service
$25
Water Heater:
0 to 50 gallons
$50
Over 50 gallons
$100
Sewer connection (initial or replacement)
$250
Gas-Burning Equipment, Installation and Conversion:
Residential Buildings:
1 to 3 families
$50
4 to 60 families
$100
61 to 160 families
$150
161 families and up
$200
Commercial Buildings:
To 2,500 square feet of floor area
$50
From 2,501 square feet to 5,000 square feet
$100
From 5,001 square feet to 10,000 square feet
$150
From 10,001 square feet to 20,000 square feet
$200
From 20,001 square feet to 40,000 square feet
$250
From 40,001 square feet to 80,000 square feet
$300
All buildings greater than 80,000 square feet
$350
Special Devices:
Grease traps, oil separators, utility service connections, refrigeration units, 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
$100 each
Minimum inspection fee:
$65
(4) 
Schedule D: Electrical Subcode Fees.
(a) 
Electrical fixtures and devices: receptacles, fixtures and devices, including smoke and heat detectors, alarm devices, communications outlets, light standards eight feet or less, emergency lights, exit lights, or similar electric fixtures and devices rated 20 amperes or less, including motors or equipment rated less than one horsepower or one kilowatt:
1 to 50
$65
Each additional block up to 25
$20
(b) 
Motors, electrical devices, transformers and generators:
[1] 
For each motor or electrical device rate from 1 hp or 1 kw; for each transformer or generator rated from 1 kw or 10 kva; for each replacement of wiring involving one branch circuit or part thereof; for each underwater lighting fixture; for each household electric cooling equipment rated up to 16 kw; for each security or burglar alarm control unit; for each receptacle rated from 30 amperes to 50 amperes; for each light standard greater than eight feet in height and for each communication closet: $40.
[2] 
For each motor or electrical device rated from greater than 10 hp or 10 kw to 50 hp or 50 kw and for each transformer or generator rated from greater than 10 kw or 10 kva to 45 kw or 45 kva; for electric signs 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: $65.
[3] 
For each motor or electrical device rated from greater than 50 hp or 50 kw to 100 hp or 100 kw and for each transformer or generator rated from greater than 45 kw or 45 kva to 112.5 kw or 112.5 kva: $150.
[4] 
For each motor or electrical device rated greater than 100 hp or 100 kw and for each transformer or generator rated greater than 112.5 kw or 112.5 kva: $500.
(c) 
Service equipment, panel board, switchboard, switchgear, motor-control center or disconnecting means:
[Amended 3-3-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-4]
0 to 200 amperes
$80
201 to 400 amperes
$120
401 to 800 amperes
$150
801 to 999 amperes
$300
1,000 amperes and above
$1,000
(d) 
Swimming pool bonding (permanently installed private pools): Outlets, feeders and motors (excluding panel boards and underwater lighting):
Aboveground pools
$75
In-ground pools
$125
For photovoltaic systems, the fee shall be based on the designated kilowatt rating of the solar photovoltaic system as follows:
1 to 50 kilowatts
$75
51 to 100 kilowatts
$100
(e) 
Annual visual pool inspection: $100.
(f) 
Minimum electrical fee: $65.
(5) 
Schedule E: Elevator Subcode Fees.
[Amended 6-9-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-12]
(a) 
The fees for witnessing acceptance tests and performing inspections on new and altered elevator devises shall be as follows:
[1] 
The basis fees for elevator devices in structures not of Group R-3, R-4, or R-5, or in an exempted structure of Group R-2, shall be as follows:
Traction and winding drum elevators:
One to 10 floors
$306
Over 10 floors
$510
Hydraulic elevators
$272
Roped hydraulic elevators
$306
Escalators, moving walks
$272
Dumbwaiters
$68
Stairway chairlifts, inclined and vertical wheelchair lifts and manlifts
$68
[2] 
Additional charges for devices equipped with the following features shall be as follows:
Oil buffers (charge per oil buffer)
$54
Counterweight governor and safeties
$136
Auxiliary power generator
$102
[3] 
The fee for elevator devices in structures of Group R-3, R-4, or R-5, or otherwise exempt devices in structures of Group R-2, shall be $204. This fee shall be waived when signed statements and supportive inspection and acceptance test reports are filed by an approved qualified agent or agency in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.19 and 2.20.
[4] 
The fee for performing inspections of minor work shall be $68.
(b) 
The fees for routine and periodic tests and inspections for elevator devices in structures not of Group R-3, R-4, or R-5, or otherwise exempt devices in structures of Group R-2, shall be as follows:
[1] 
The fee for the six-month routine inspection of elevator devices shall be as follows:
Traction and winding drum elevators:
One to 10 floors
$190
Over 10 floors
$244
Hydraulic elevators
$136
Roped hydraulic elevators
$190
Escalators, moving walks
$190
[2] 
The fee for the one-year periodic inspection and witnessing of tests of elevator devices, which shall include a six-month routine inspection, shall be as follows:
Traction and winding drum elevators:
One to 10 floors
$272
Over 10 floors
$326
Hydraulic elevators
$204
Roped hydraulic elevators
$272
Escalators, moving walks
$436
Dumbwaiters
$108
Manlifts, stairway chairlifts, inclined and vertical wheelchair lifts
$164
[3] 
Additional yearly periodic inspection charges for elevator devices equipped with the following features shall be as follows:
Oil buffers (charge per oil buffer)
$54
Counterweight governor and safeties
$108
Auxiliary power generator
$68
[4] 
The fee for the three-year or five-year inspection of elevator devices shall be as follows:
Traction and winding drum elevators:
One to 10 floors (five-year inspection)
$462
Over 10 floors (five-year inspection)
$582
Hydraulic and roped hydraulic elevators:
Three-year inspection
$340
Five-year inspection
$204
(c) 
The fees set forth in Subsection A(5)(b) above shall be paid annually in accordance with the following schedule, which is based on the average of the fees to be collected over a five-year period:
[1] 
Basic annual fee as follows:
Traction and winding drum elevators:
One to 10 floors
$504
Over 10 floors
$612
Hydraulic elevators
$368
Roped hydraulic elevators
$408
Escalators, moving walks
$626
Dumbwaiters
$108
Stairway chairlifts, inclined and vertical wheelchair lifts, manlifts
$164
[2] 
Additional charges for devices equipped with the following features as follows:
Oil buffers (charge per oil buffer)
$54
Counterweight governor and safeties
$108
Auxiliary power generator
$68
[3] 
Annual fee for inspections at seasonal facilities shall be as follows:
Traction and winding drum elevators:
One to 10 floors
$310
Over 10 floors
$364
Hydraulic elevators
$232
Roped hydraulic elevators
$272
Escalators, moving walks
$436
Dumbwaiters
$108
Stairway chairlifts, inclined and vertical wheelchair lifts, manlifts
$164
[4] 
Additional charges for devices equipped with the following features as follows:
Oil buffers (charge per oil buffer)
$54
Counterweight governor and safeties $108
Auxiliary power generator
$68
B. 
The Construction Official shall, with the advice of the subcode officials, prepare and submit to the governing body, biannually, a report recommending a fee schedule based upon the operating expenses of the agency, and any other expenses of the municipality fairly attributable to the enforcement of the State Uniform Construction Code Act. See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.
C. 
In order to provide 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 above, a surcharge fee of $0.0006 per cubic foot of volume of new construction. The 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. In the fiscal year in which the Regulations first become effective, the fee shall be collected and remitted for the third and fourth quarters only. The enforcing agency shall report annually at the end of each fiscal year to the Bureau of Housing Inspection, and not later than July 31, the total amount of the surcharge fee collected in the fiscal year. In the fiscal year in which the Regulations first become effective, the report shall be for the third and fourth quarters only.
D. 
No person shall be charged a construction permit surcharge fee or enforcing agency fee for any construction, reconstruction, alteration or improvement designed and undertaken solely to promote accessibility by people with disabilities to an existing public or private structure or any of the facilities contained therein.
E. 
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.
F. 
There shall be an additional fee of $75 per hour per inspector for review of any amendment or change to a plan that has already been released.
G. 
There shall be a fee of $100 when a request for a change of contractor is submitted to the Building Department. This applies to each respective subcode (i.e., Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire).
[Added 9-23-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-19]
A. 
The fire limits required to be established by N.J.A.C. 4:23 shall be established not later than July 1, 1977. The Construction Official shall, not later than May 1, 1977, prepare and submit to the Borough Council a report recommending the delineation of specific fire zones. Thereafter he shall prepare and submit to the Borough Council biannually a report reevaluating the delineation of the fire limits. This report shall indicate the recommendations of the Construction Official, the Building Subcode Official and the Fire Subcode Official regarding those areas which should be designated as within fire limits, and the reasons therefor.
B. 
It is hereby established pursuant to the foregoing that the following areas are established as fire limits:
(1) 
The westerly side line of Abbott Boulevard running from its intersection with Columbia Avenue, southerly to the borough line between Fort Lee and Cliffside Park, running along to the rear of Lots 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, together with Lot 5 in Block 401.
(2) 
The southerly side of Main Street, commencing at the intersection of the south side of Main Street, with the westerly side of Kaufers Lane, running westerly along the south side of Main Street, to its intersection with the easterly side of New Jersey Routes 1 and 46, commonly known as Bergen Boulevard, more particularly referred to as Lots 1 thru 11 and Lot 29 in Block 4302, Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, and part of 5 in Block 4301 ......, Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 in Block 4202 ......, Lot 5 in Block 4204 ......, Lot 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 in Block 4203 ......, Lot 12, 1/2 of 11, 8, 9, and 10, in Block 4102 ......, Lot 36, 37, 34, 32 and 100 feet in depth of Lots 12, 33 and 35, in Block 4101 ......, Lots 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 part of 12, and 100 feet in depth of Lot 4 in Block 4007 ......, Lots 1 thru 10 in Block 4006 ......, Lot 21, 22, 23 and approximately 132 feet in depth from Main Street, Lot 24, in Block 3510 ......, Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, in Block 3509.
(3) 
The northerly side of Main Street, commences with its intersection with the westerly side of Hudson Terrace, westerly to its intersection again to the easterly side of New Jersey Highway 1 and 46, known also as Bergen Boulevard, more particularly described as Lots 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in Block 4806 ......, Lot 17 through Lot 30 and approximately 150 feet in depth and parallel with the northerly side of Main Street, in Block 4701 ......, Lots 3 through 7 in Block 4501 ......, Lots 20 - 47 in Block 4404 ......, approximately 100 feet in depth and parallel with Main Street, in Block 3512.
The Construction Official's office be and is hereby authorized to charge the sum of $25 for letters of information, including but not limited to flood letters, duplicate certificates of occupancy, bank certifications, confirmation of zoning, etc. Such fee shall be in addition to any and all other fees properly chargeable pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code as set forth in schedules governing subcode fees.