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Township of Franklin, NJ
Hunterdon County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[HISTORY: Adopted by Township Committee of the Township of Franklin 9-8-1994 by Ord. No. 94-13 (Ch. A140 of the 1988 Code); amended in its entirety 10-31-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-12. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Land use fees — See Ch. 225.
The following fees are hereby established with respect to licenses, permits and activities required or regulated under the provisions of various chapters of the Code of the Township of Franklin. Applications for and the issuance of such licenses and permits shall be subject to the provisions of the specific chapter of the Code which is indicated for each type of license or permit. The business, activity or operation for which the license or permit is required shall be subject to all regulations set forth in the chapter to which reference is made.
A. 
Nonrefundable application fee: $250.
B. 
Township Attorney escrow fee: $750.
C. 
Township Engineer escrow fee: $900
A. 
Public Defender application fee: $50.
B. 
Discovery fees:
(1) 
For each of the first 10 pages photocopied: $0.75.
(2) 
For each of the next 10 pages photocopied: $050.
(3) 
For each of the pages photocopies thereafter: $0.25.
(4) 
For any discovery sent by mail: actual postage.
(5) 
For the envelope for any discovery sent by mail: $0.25.
(6) 
Photographs: photocopied at the rates established herein. If requests are made for duplicate photographs, the actual cost of making the photographs will be charged.
(7) 
Duplication of videotapes: constitutes an extraordinary duplication process and will be charged at the rate of $5 per videotape.
(8) 
Any item that cannot be photocopied on the Township copy machine or not otherwise provided for in this schedule: the actual cost incurred in making the copy.
[Amended 6-28-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-06]
A. 
Police supplementary employment: $85 per hour.
B. 
Police reports (paper copies):
(1) 
If requested in person: $0.05 per letter-size page or smaller, and $0.07 per legal-size page or larger.
(2) 
If requested by mail or fax: $5 for the first three pages and $1 for each additional page.
(3) 
Records in another medium (i.e., computer disc, CD-ROM, DVD, photographs): the actual cost to provide the record.
Alarm system permit: $27.
[Amended 11-8-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-04A[1]]
A. 
Plenary retail consumption license: $2,400.
B. 
Plenary retail distribution license: $2,400.
C. 
Club license: $120.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 1-1-2008.
A. 
The amusement device license fee shall be $200 per amusement device per year or part thereof, for up to three amusement devices, and $400 per amusement device per year or part thereof, for four or more amusement devices.
B. 
The distributors license fee shall be $1,500 per year or part thereof.
License and registration tag (annual):
[Amended 11-8-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-04[1]]
Neutered
$12.00
Unneutered
[Amended 5-22-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-08]
$15.00
Delinquent fees, after January 31
$17.00
Kennel license, annual:
10 or fewer dogs
$50.00
More than 10 dogs
$100.00
Pet shop license, annual
$120.00
Maintenance fee, per day
$4.00
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 1-1-2008.
License: $35.
[Amended 3-9-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-02; 9-25-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-17; 5-26-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-05; 11-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-11]
A. 
Building subcode fees.
(1) 
The minimum fee in any case for all building subcodes shall be $70 for any one permit. The separate fees set forth below, if less than $70, shall be increased to $70 if the total fees for permits applied for as to the building subcode do not total at least $70.
(2) 
For all new construction other than commercial farming and use groups U, R-3, R-4, and R-5, the permit fee shall be based on the volume of the structure. Volume shall be computed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.28. The fee for building in all use groups other than those listed above shall be $0.047 per cubic foot. The minimum fee in any case shall be not less than $150.
(3) 
For new construction buildings in use groups U,R-3, R-4, and R-5, the fee per cubic foot shall be $0.045. The minimum fee in any case shall be $70.
(4) 
For newly constructed commercial farm buildings fulfilling the specific requirements as described in the State of New Jersey Uniform Construction Code section N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.2(d), the fee shall be $0.020 per cubic foot with a minimum fee of $70.
(5) 
For renovations, alteration and repairs, the fee shall be $37 per $1,000 estimated cost of the work, up to and including $50,000. The additional fee for costs above $50,000 estimated cost of the work shall be $30 per $1,000 of estimated cost. The minimum fee in any case shall be $70.
(6) 
For repairs and alterations to commercial farm buildings, the fee shall be $24 per $1,000 estimated cost of the work.
(7) 
For combinations of renovations and additions or alterations, all fees shall be computed separately as new building and additions or alterations.
(8) 
The fee for roofing, reroofing, siding, and re-siding work shall be $34 per $1,000 estimated cost of the work in all use groups except R-4 and R-5.
(9) 
The fee for roofing, reroofing, siding and re-siding work in use groups R-4 and R-5 shall be $75 each.
(10) 
The fee for a demolition permit shall be a set fee of $125 per residential structure and $250 for commercial structure.
(11) 
The fee for solid-fuel stoves and factory-built stoves and chimney liners shall be a set fee of $75.
(12) 
The fee for premanufactured sheds up to 250 square feet shall be a set fee of $175. Sheds over 250 square feet shall be priced per cubic volume above.
(13) 
The fee for installation of an in-ground swimming pool shall be $375 and for the installation of an aboveground pool shall be $175. Hot tubs shall be a set fee of $75. These fees are solely for pool construction and do not include fees for other necessary work, such as, by way of example, fees for installation of electrical, pool heaters or fences.
(14) 
The fee for fences required by code surrounding all pools shall be a set fee of $85.
(15) 
The fee for nonregulated tank removals shall be a set fee of $150.
(16) 
The fee for radon mitigation shall be a set fee of $100.
(17) 
The fee for plan (not for as-built plan review, which is separately provided below) review shall be 20% of the amount to be charged for the construction permit and shall be paid before the plans are reviewed. The amount paid for this fee shall be credited toward the amount of the fee to be charged for the construction permit. Plan review fees are not refundable.
(18) 
The fee for a permit for the removal of a building or structure from one lot to another or to a new location on the same lot shall be $225 for residential and $350 for commercial.
(19) 
The fee for a permit to construct a sign shall be $6 per square foot of the surface area of the sign, provided that the minimum fee shall be calculated from one side only.
(20) 
The fee for a certificate of continued use occupancy shall be $150.
(21) 
The fee for a temporary certificate of occupancy renewal shall be $35.
(22) 
The fee for a certificate of occupancy granted pursuant to a change of use shall be $174.
(23) 
The fee for multiple certificates of occupancy shall be $100 per unit for R-4 or R-5.
(24) 
The fee for a residential certificate of occupancy as a result of new construction, renovation, addition or the like in the R-4 and R-5 groups shall be $100. The fee for all other use groups shall be 10% of the construction permit fee, but the minimum fee for a certificate of occupancy shall be no less than $100.
(25) 
Lead and asbestos clearance certificates shall be $75.
(26) 
The fee for the construction of a retaining wall, tennis court, all other playing courts accessory to a R-3, R-4 or R-5 shall be $175.
B. 
Plumbing subcode fees.
(1) 
The minimum plumbing subcode permit fee for any one permit shall be $70 per permit. The separate fees set forth below, if less than $70, shall be increased to $70 if the total fees for permits applied for as to the plumbing subcode do not total at least $70.
(2) 
The fee shall be $18 per fixture or stack connected to the plumbing system and for each appliance connected to the gas piping or oil piping system.
(3) 
The fee for special devices, including, but not limited to, service connections, separators, refrigeration units, backflow preventers, steam boilers, hot-water boilers, solar systems, sewer pumps and other similar devices, shall be $85 each.
(4) 
The fee for repairs to septic systems shall be $70.
(5) 
The fee for nonregulated tanks shall be a set fee of $85 per tank.
(6) 
Backflow preventers and cross-connections that are subject to annual testing and inspection pursuant to the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code shall be charged $75 per device annually.
(7) 
Gas piping shall be $65 for each four appliances.
(8) 
Hydronic piping shall be $25 for each separate zone.
(9) 
Mechanical fees shall be $85 for the first appliance and $55 for each additional appliance.
C. 
Electrical subcode fees.
(1) 
The minimum electrical subcode fee per permit shall be $70. The separate fees set forth below, if less than $70, shall be increased to $70 if the total fees for permits applied for as to the electrical subcode do not total at least $70.
(2) 
The fee for receptacles and fixtures shall be $70 for the first 50 and $25 for each additional 25 or part thereof.
(3) 
Motors and electrical devices fees shall be:
(a) 
Over 1 hp and up to 10 hp: $20/motor or device.
(b) 
Over 10 hp up to 50 hp: $75/motor or device.
(c) 
Over 50 hp up to 100 hp: $135/motor or device.
(d) 
Over 100 hp shall be $650/motor or device.
(4) 
Transformer and generator fees shall be:
(a) 
Over 1 kw up to 10 kw: $20.
(b) 
Over 10 kw up to 45 kw: $75.
(c) 
Over 45 kw up to 112.5: $13.
(d) 
Over 112.5 kw: $650.
(5) 
Service panels, entrances, and subpanel fees shall be:
(a) 
1 amp up to 200 amps: $100.
(b) 
201 amps up to 1,000 amps: $150.
(c) 
Greater than 1,000 amps: $650.
(6) 
All electric for pools and hot tubs shall be a set fee. Aboveground pools and hot tubs shall be $195. In-ground pools shall be $295.
(7) 
The fee for the electrical certificate of continued occupancy shall be $100.
(8) 
Solar photovoltaic systems; other electrical devices.
(a) 
For solar photovoltaic systems for any use group or accessory thereof, the fee shall be based on the total number of solar photovoltaic modules being installed as follows:
Number of Modules
Fee
1 to 50
$125
51 to 100
$200
101 to 250
$375
251 to 500
$700
(b) 
Greater than 500 modules, the fee shall be an additional $1 per module. All other electrical devices, other than solar photovoltaic modules, shall be a separate fee based on the ampere or kilowatt rating of the device.
D. 
Miscellaneous.
(1) 
The fee for an application for variation shall be $174 for Classes 2 and 3, with a resubmission fee of $100. The fee for Class 1 applications shall be $826, with a reapplication fee of $375.
(2) 
For cross-connection backflow preventers that are subject to testing and require inspection annually, the fee shall be $75 for each device when they are tested by an approved agency.
(3) 
All construction fees shall be rounded to the nearest dollar.
(4) 
During a temporary absence (vacation, sick day, etc.) of the Construction Official, the Construction Official may assign the duties of the Construction Official to a person(s) holding the requisite state licensing and credentials.
(5) 
The annual permit fees shall be in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.20.
(6) 
Fees for lead and asbestos abatement shall be a set fee of $150. Clearance certificate fees shall be $50 each.
(7) 
The fee for temporary tent shall be a set fee of $125.
(8) 
Solar heat fees shall be based on alteration costs stated in Subsection A(5) above.
(9) 
Plan review on as-built drawings shall be priced at $64 per hour.
(10) 
Permits for and inspections of all elevators shall be obtained from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
E. 
Fire protection subcode fees.
(1) 
The minimum fee for any one fire subcode permit shall be $70. The separate fees set forth below, if less than $70, shall be increased to $70 if the total fees for permits applied for as to the fire protection subcode do not total at least $70.
(2) 
The fees for alarm, signal, and supervisory devices, including but not limited to total of smoke/heat detectors, pull stations, water-flow switches, horns, strobes, bells, tamper switches, and low/high air switches shall be as follows:
(a) 
First 12 devices: $50 and $5 for each additional device.
(b) 
Each fire pump: $175.
(c) 
Each commercial kitchen exhaust system: $195.
(d) 
Residential kitchen exhaust system: $60.
(e) 
Incinerators and crematoriums: $395.
(3) 
The fee for R-4 and R-5 fire alarm systems shall be $60.
(4) 
The fee for each gas or oil appliance not connected to the plumbing shall be a set fee of $65 each.
(5) 
The fee for standpipes shall be $365 each.
(6) 
The fees for suppression system devices, including but not limited to fire pumps, dry pipe/alarm valves, and preaction valves shall be $60 each.
(7) 
Sprinkler system fees (wet and dry) shall be as follows:
Number of Heads
Fee
1 to 20
$135
21 to 100
$225
101 to 200
$375
201 to 400
$825
401 to 1,000
$1,125
Over 1,000
Additional $1 per head
(8) 
The fee for storage tanks above or below the ground shall be $85 each.
(9) 
The fee for pre-engineered systems shall be as follows:
Item
Fee
(for each item)
Wet chemical
$235
Dry chemical
$235
CO2 suppression
$235
Foam suppression
$235
Halon (or similar) suppression
$235
Smoke control systems
$425
Kitchen hood exhaust systems (commercial)
$195
Commercial ovens
$100
Spray booths
$225
Appliances, other:
Woodburning fireplaces or solid fuel
$75
Fuel-burning appliances
$75
F. 
Site construction associated with premanufactured construction shall be charged by cost per thousand(s).
G. 
If any part or parts of this section are for any reason held to be invalid, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this section and the state fees shall apply at a minimum without waiver.
H. 
All ordinances or parts of ordinances which are inconsistent herewith are repealed, but only to the extent of such inconsistency. All other parts of the Code of Township of Franklin not inconsistent herewith are ratified and confirmed.
I. 
Construction code fees. Buildings owned by the Quakertown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad shall be exempt from the payment of all Uniform Construction Code fees, but not inspections.
J. 
State surcharge fees shall be set by the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs in conjunction with New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, 5:23-4.19.
K. 
Any fee or fees not covered by this section will be charged in accordance with the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code § 5:23-4.20.
L. 
Upon the resale or transfer of any real estate sold within the Township of Franklin, Hunterdon County, a resale clearance certification shall be required to be obtained by the seller. Separate from the Uniform Construction Code, the seller shall be charged $200 for a background records search for the seller to verify that permits have been issued pursuant to the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code and that all open or applied-for permits are closed and the proper certificates have been issued. At such time, the current owner shall be given an approval certificate to show that, to the best knowledge of the Township Construction Office, the open permits and inspections have been completed per New Jersey Uniform Construction Code.
A. 
Driveway permit fee: $60.00.
B. 
Agricultural: $0.00.
C. 
Professional review and inspection escrow: $750.00.
[Added 10-8-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-09]
[Amended 10-27-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-11]
A. 
The application fee for a fire safety permit shall be in accordance with the fees established in the Uniform Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(c). A copy of the fees shall be on file with the Fire Prevention Bureau.
B. 
The application fee for a certificate of smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance (CSDCMAC), as required by N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3, shall be in accordance with the following fees schedule:
[Amended 2-22-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-02]
(1) 
Requests for a CSDCMAC received more than 10 business days prior to the change of occupancy: $50.
(2) 
Requests for a CSDCMAC received four to 10 business days prior to the change of occupancy: $90.
(3) 
Requests for a CSDCMAC received fewer than four business days prior to the change of occupancy: $161.
(4) 
A $25 fee shall be charged for any reinspections.
C. 
Non-life-hazard uses.
Building Size
(square feet)
Annual Inspection Fee
0 to 500
$25
501 to 1,000
$50
1,001 to 3,500
$100
3,501 to 10,000
$200
10,001 to 30,000
$400
30,001 and over
$600
Annual permanent food license fee
$200
Temporary food license
$125
Temporary food stand permit
$75
New wells
Fee determined by Hunterdon County
New septic system
Fee determined by Hunterdon County
Construction permit review
$25.00
Percolation and soil log
$300.00
Each additional perk or soil log
$60.00
See Chapter 225, Land Use Fees.
A. 
Inspection costs.
Total Cost of Required Improvement
Fee
Not over $5,000
$250
Over $5,000 but not over $10,000
$250 plus 4 1/2% of excess over $5,000
Over $10,000 but not over $50,000
$475 plus 4% of excess over $10,000
Over $50,000 but not over $75,000
$2,075 plus 3 1/2% of excess over $50,000
Over $75,000 but not over $100,000
$2,950 plus 3% of excess over $75,000
Over $100,000
$3,270 plus 2 1/2% of excess over $100,000
B. 
Performance guaranty: 120% of cost of improvements.
C. 
Maintenance guaranty: 15% of cost of improvements.
D. 
Per running foot of street for each plowing: $0.25.
E. 
Per running foot of street for each application of salt and/or sand: $0.25.
A. 
Application if not part of subdivision: fee determined by Hunterdon County.
B. 
Additional fee: per degree of grade.
A. 
Review escrow: $500.
B. 
Inspection escrow: $1,500.
C. 
Review escrow for swimming pools, septic system modifications and driveway modifications: $300; inspection escrow: $750.
[Amended 10-8-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-09]
Type
Amount
Liability insurance
Personal injury to one person
$300,000.00
Personal injury in one accident
$750,000.00
Property damage
$200,000.00
Cash deposit for opening permit, minimum
$750.00 plus engineering fees, plus 10% of estimated costs
Final application fee
$50.00 plus engineering fees
Public utility corporations
Corporate bond
$20,000.00
Opening permit, minimum fee
$750.00
Renewal of opening permit
$25.00
A. 
List of property owners: $0.25 per name or $10.00, whichever is greater.
B. 
Use of transcription, deposit: $50.00 or estimated cost of transcription, whichever is greater.
Type
Fee
Review and inspection, single lot
$30.00 plus fees for professional
Inspection for single lot
$30.00 plus fees for professional
All other applicants
Review
$60.00 plus fees for professional
Inspection
$30.00 plus fees for professional
See Chapter 336, Towing and Storage of Vehicles.
A. 
Well pump and recovery test review and interference test review.
Type
Fee
Well pump and recovery test review
Per well, per day
$300.00
Interference test review
Per well, per day
$300.00
Per monitor well, per day
$72.00
B. 
The fee for the Franklin Township well drilling permit shall be $25.
C. 
Aquifer test and analysis.
(1) 
Review of design of aquifer test.
(a) 
Residential subdivisions of three new building lots or more: $1,000 for the first lot and $100 for each proposed additional lot.
(b) 
Other nonresidential: $1,000 for the first 1,000 gallons of average daily demand and $100 for each additional 1,000 gallons of average daily demand.
(2) 
Hydrologic report review.
(a) 
Residential subdivisions: $2,000 for the first lot and $200 for each additional proposed lot.
(b) 
Nonresidential and mixed residential site plans: $2,000 for the 1,000 gallons of average daily demand and $200 for each additional 1,000 gallons of avenge daily demand.
[Amended 10-8-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-09]
Type
Fee
Individual, application and plans to locate
Fee determined by Hunterdon County
Application to alter
Fee determined by Hunterdon County
Application to repair
Fee determined by Hunterdon County
Application for septic waiver
Professional review escrow: $500
Marriage certificate: $4.
Transcript, per page
$1.00
Health inspection
For news stands, pharmacies, liquor stores, video stores and other retail establishments which handle commercially prepared, prepackaged, nonpotentially hazardous foods as an incidental part of their business
$125.00
For bed-and-breakfasts, which serve full breakfasts, and for agricultural markets (with no on-site food preparation), where potentially hazardous foods are offered for sale or where grocery food items account for 50% or more of the agricultural market's sales area. Bed-and-breakfasts which only serve continental breakfasts and agricultural markets which only sell raw agricultural products and an incidental amount of grocery food items are exempt from inspection fees.
$125.00
For all other retail food establishments
$250.00
Temporary retail food establishments (as defined under N.J.A.C. 8:24-1.3) that are operational for a period of not more than three days
$100.00
Temporary retail food establishments (as defined under N.J.A.C. 8:24-1.3) that are operational for a period of four or more days
$150.00
[Added 12-11-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-04]
A. 
The following fees shall be charged for payment by credit card over the counter, by phone or by mail:
Type of Card
Fee
Visa/Mastercard/Discover
2.45%
American Express
2.45%
Signature Debit
2.45%
There is a minimum convenience fee of $3 for all transactions.
B. 
The following fees shall be charged for payment by credit card for e-commerce transactions:
Type of Card
Fee
Visa/Mastercard/Discover
2.45%
American Express
2.45%
There is a minimum convenience fee of $3 for all transactions.
C. 
A fee of $1.50 per check shall be charged for payment by electronic check or eCheck.
D. 
Future amendments to fees will be set by resolution of the Township Committee. A copy of this section is to be kept on file in the Township clerk's office and is available for review during regular business hours.
[Added 10-22-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-08]
Any future payments made on behalf of the party having previously issued payment and had the check returned shall be tendered in cash or by certified or cashier's check at the discretion of the municipal official, and the party shall be assessed a twenty-dollar fee.
[Added 10-10-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-07]
The Tax Collector shall charge to the assessed owner of any property on the advertised municipal tax sale list a fee of $25 per notice sent.
[Added 5-7-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-05]
Filming permit (includes first day of filming and includes nonrefundable filing fee of $100)
$500
Every day thereafter
$300
Plus, additional bond as referenced in § 185-3.1 of the Filming Ordinance