[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council
of the Township of Mount Laurel 12-3-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-16.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed
former Ch. 66, Construction Codes, Uniform, adopted 12-20-1976 by
Ord. No. 1976-12, as amended.
A.
There is hereby established in the Township of Mount
Laurel a State Uniform Construction Code enforcing agency to be known
as "Division of Inspection," consisting of a Construction Official,
Building Subcode Official, Electrical Subcode Official, Fire Protection
Subcode Official and such other subcode officials for such 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 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 the Mount Laurel Municipal Center, 100 North
Mount Laurel Road, Mount Laurel, New Jersey, except for emergencies
and unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances.
Burlington County Board of Appeals will handle
all appeals.
[Amended 2-3-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-1; 4-21-2003 by Ord. No.
2003-10; 8-2-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-13[1]; 6-1-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-10; 3-15-2010 by Ord. No.
2010-7; 9-20-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-16; 4-8-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-9; 3-8-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-5]
A.
The basic construction fee shall be the sum of the parts computed
on the basis of the volume or the cost of construction, the number
of plumbing fixtures and pieces of equipment, the number of electric
fixtures and devices and the number of sprinklers, standpipes and
detectors (smoke and heat) at the unit rates and/or the applicable
flat fees provided herein plus any special fees. The minimum fee for
a basic construction permit covering any or all of building, plumbing,
electric or fire protection work shall be $75 per subcode except as
herein noted.
(1)
The building subcode fees are as follows:
(a)
The fees for new construction and additions 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 fee shall be in the amount of $0.050
per cubic foot of volume for buildings and structures of all use groups,
except that the fee shall be $0.030 per cubic foot of volume for Use
Groups F-1, F-2, S-1 and S-2, and the fee shall be $0.020 per cubic
foot of volume for structures on farms, including commercial farm
buildings under N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.2(d).
(b)
The fees for renovations, alterations and repairs shall be based
upon the estimated cost of the work. The fee shall be in the amount
of $30 per $1,000 up to $50,000. From $50,001 to and including $100,000,
the additional fee shall be in the amount of $24 per $1,000 of estimated
cost. Above $100,000, the additional fee shall be in the amount of
$21 per $1,000 of estimated cost above $100,000. For the purpose of
determining estimated cost, the applicant shall submit to the Subcode
and Construction Official 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 Subcode and Construction Official shall make
the final decision regarding estimated cost.
(c)
The fees for additions shall be computed on the same basis for
new construction for the added portion.
(e)
The fee for tents requiring a construction permit shall be $175.
(f)
The fee for temporary structures requiring a construction permit
shall be $150.
(g)
The fees for tower or dish antennas shall be a flat fee of $200.
(h)
The fees for fences over six feet in height, with exception
of pool barriers, shall be a flat fee of $40.
(i)
The fee for replacing pool barriers surrounding swimming pools
shall be $65.
(j)
The fee for a swimming pool shall be $100 for aboveground and
$200 for in-ground.
(k)
The fee for a permit to construct a sign shall be in the amount
of $2 per square foot of surface area of the sign, computed on one
side only for a double-faced sign.
(l)
The fee for a permit for lead hazard abatement work shall be
$161. The fee for lead abatement clearance certificate shall be $32.
(m)
The fee for the issuance of a building permit that a fee has
not been determined shall be a minimum fee.
(n)
The fee for an asbestos removal permit shall be $81.
(o)
The fees for retaining walls that require a construction permit
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 $173;
[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 $86;
(2)
The plumbing subcode fees are as follows:
(a)
The fee shall be $25 per plumbing fixture and/or water closet,
urinal, bidet, bathtub, shower, lavatory, sink, laundry tub, floor
drains, drinking fountains, residential dishwashers, clothes washers,
recirculation systems, roof drains, hose bibs, residential oil piping,
manholes, reheat coils, condensate drains, or similar devices, except
as listed below.
(b)
The fee shall be $125 per special device for the following:
grease traps, oil separators, water utility connections per every
150 lineal feet, sewer utility connections per every 150 lineal feet,
commercial dishwashers, backflow preventers in other than one- and
two-family dwellings, sewer pumps, interceptors, active solar systems,
and testing of waste and vents for modular homes.
(c)
The fee for the installation of lawn sprinkler backflow preventers
and rain sensor shall be $65.
(d)
The fee for the installation of a boiler (hot water or steam)
or furnace up to 250,000 BTUs shall be $50.
(e)
The fee for the installation of a boiler (hot water or steam)
or furnace 250,001 BTUs and above shall be $288.
(f)
The fee for the installation of gas piping shall be $65 plus cost per fixture/appliance as Subsection A(2)(a) above.
(g)
The fee for the installation of a water heater shall be $50.
(h)
The fee for commercial oil piping shall be $38. Adding to an
existing system shall be $25.
(i)
The fee for the testing of cross-connections and backflow preventers
that are subject to testing shall be $75 per device for each test.
(j)
The fee for the installation of air conditioning for Use Groups
R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5 shall be $50.
(k)
The fee for the installation of industrial and commercial air
conditioning, RTU and refrigeration shall be $150.
(l)
The fee for the installation of hydronic piping shall be $43
per every 100 lineal feet.
(m)
The fee for the installation of medical gas shall be $81 per
system plus $20 for each station, outlet, inlet, or alarm box.
(n)
The fee for the installation of a geothermal system shall be
$81.
(o)
The fee for the demolition of a sewer or water service, or a
septic system shall be $65.
(p)
The fee for the installation of pool drains associated with
swimming pools shall be $75.
(q)
The fee for the installation of an air handler/heat pump for
Use Groups R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5 shall be $50.
(3)
The electrical subcode fees are as follows:
(a)
For the first block of one to 25 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 $27. For the
purpose of computing this fee, receptacles, fixtures or devices shall
include wall switches, convenience receptacles, light fixtures, exit
signs, emergency lights, smoke detectors, CO detectors, heat detectors,
communications points, CATV, intercoms, alarm devices, glass-breaks,
motion sensors, keypads, light standards eight feet or less in height,
including luminaries, thermostats, energy management points, sensors,
dimmers, 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 service equipment, panel board, subpanel, load center,
service entrance, motor starter, motor control center, automatic transfer
switch, disconnecting means, and future electric, such as circuits
installed for future use or intermittent needs (All bonding and grounding
for the above items are included.), the fee shall be:
(d)
For each generator, transformer, and all other items measured
in kW not specified in this fee schedule, the fee shall be:
(e)
Each piece or unit of equipment used for air conditioning refrigeration in R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5 shall be $25 per unit; all other use groups shall be by kW, Subsection A(3)(d) above.
(f)
For each swimming pool, spa, hydro-massage tub, hot tub or sauna
[fee includes one GFCI, one timer, up to two underwater lights (UW),
bonding and trenches up to 150 lineal feet], the fee shall be:
(g)
In other than one- and two-family dwellings, for each burglar alarm panel, fire alarm panel, intercom panel, audio-video head-end panel, energy management control panel, communications closet, and automated card access panels, the fee shall be $53 per panel. The fee for devices connected to the system shall be in accordance with Subsection A(3)(a) above. For one- and two-family dwellings, the fee shall be $65, which includes the first block of 25 devices connected to the system. For each additional block of 25 devices connected to the system, the fee shall be $25.
(h)
For each trench of 150 lineal feet for primary power, secondary
power, and communications, the fee shall be $75. Every additional
150 lineal feet or portion of the trench shall be an additional $40.
(j)
For light standards above eight feet zero inches in height (includes
first 150 lineal feet of trench), the fee shall be $20 per fixture.
Trenches over 150 lineal feet shall be $43 for each additional 150
lineal feet.
(k)
For each hardwired sign, the fee shall be $100.
(n)
For all lightning protection, lightning arrester systems, other
than service electrode, the fee shall be $13 for each point, lightning
rod or arrestor.
(o)
For each satellite dish, the fee shall be $43.
(4)
The fire subcode fees are as follows:
(a)
The installation, relocation or alteration of sprinkler heads
and single or multiple station smoke or heat detectors not connected
to a fire alarm panel:
[1]
The fee for 20 or fewer sprinkler heads or detectors shall be
$92.
[2]
The fee for 21 to and including 100 sprinkler heads or detectors
shall be $161.
[3]
The fee for 101 to and including 200 sprinkler heads or detectors
shall be $299.
[4]
The fee for 201 to and including 400 sprinkler heads or detectors
shall be $758.
[5]
The fee for 401 to and including 1,000 sprinkler heads or detectors
shall be $1,046.
[6]
Each additional block of 20 heads or detectors excess of 1,000
shall be $75.
(b)
The fee for the installation of a fire alarm panel shall be $68. The fee for each smoke and heat detector, pull station, horn, strobe, enunciator, tamper switch, flow switch, and any other device connected to the fire alarm panel shall be in accordance with Subsection A(4)(a) above.
(c)
The fee for a replacement of a fire alarm panel shall be $150
with the first four zones, $25 for each additional zone or group of
addressed devices.
(d)
The fee for each standpipe shall be $289.
(e)
The fee for each independent pre-engineered system shall be
$166.
(f)
The fee for each gas- or oil-fired appliance not connected to
the plumbing system shall be $58.
(g)
The fee for each commercial kitchen exhaust system shall be
$125.
(i)
The fee for each gas and solid fuel fireplace shall be $58.
(j)
The fee for each flue attached to an oil- or gas-fired or solid
fuel appliance shall be $58.
(k)
The fee for the installation of residential fuel tanks shall
be $65.
(l)
The fee for the installation of commercial fuel tank up to 1,000
gallons shall be $150.
(m)
The fee for the installation of commercial fuel tank 1,001 gallons
and above shall be $255.
(n)
Installation of fuel-dispensing unit shall be $125 per unit.
(o)
The fee for the removal or abandonment of a fuel storage tank
shall be $100.
(p)
The fee for the installation of a fire pump shall be $225.
(q)
The fee for incinerators shall be $460.
(r)
The fee for crematoriums shall be $460.
(s)
Installation of photovoltaic system, R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5,
shall be $100; all other use groups shall be $200.
(5)
The fee for elevator plan review, tests and inspections shall be
in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.20(c) and N.J.A.C. 5:23-12.6.
(6)
The mechanical subcode fee shall be as follows:
(a)
The fee for mechanical inspection in accordance with the mechanical
subcode shall be $60 for the first appliance and $25 for each additional
appliance.
(7)
Certificate and other fees shall be as follows:
(a)
The fees for a demolition or removal permit shall be $75 for
a structure of less than 5,000 square feet in area and less than 30
feet in height, for one- or two-family residences and structures on
farms, including commercial farm buildings under N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.2(d),
and $200 for all other use group.
(b)
The fee for a certificate of occupancy shall be in the amount
of $250, except for one- and two-family structures of less than 5,000
square feet in area and less than 30 feet in height and structures
on farms, including commercial farm buildings subject to N.J.A.C.
5:23-3.2(d), for which the fee shall be $125.
(c)
The fee for a certificate of occupancy for a change of use with
no work being performed shall be $150.
(d)
The fee for a continued certificate of occupancy shall be $150.
(e)
The fee for an application for a variation in accordance with
N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.10 shall be as follows:
[1]
Class 1 structures: $300.
[2]
Class 2 structures: $200.
[3]
Class 3 structures: $150.
[4]
Resubmission for Class 1 structure: $150.
[5]
Resubmission for Class 2 structure: $75.
[6]
Resubmission for Class 3 structure: $75.
[7]
One- and two-family structures less than 5,000 square feet in
area and less than 30 feet in height shall be $50.
(f)
In addition to the fees specified above, a surcharge fee shall
be computed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.28. The surcharges
shall be collected for training, certification and support programs
as required by the Uniform Construction Code Act.
(g)
The fee for plan review shall be 5% of the total cost for a
construction permit.
(h)
The fee for an annual permit shall be in accordance with N.J.A.C.
5:23-4.20(c).
(8)
(Reserved)
(9)
Waiver of fees for certain governmental bodies:
(a)
In the case of construction by the Township of Mount Laurel,
the Mount Laurel Board of Education, the Mount Laurel Municipal Utilities
Authority, the Mount Laurel Fire Department and Emergency Squads,
all construction, inspection or any other fees, of whatever nature,
set forth in this chapter may be waived by the Director of the Department
of Community Development. The waiver of such fees is limited to the
fees that represent income to the Township of Mount Laurel; such a
waiver shall not include payments the third-party inspection agencies
or other fees that are mandated by the State of New Jersey.
(b)
Such waiver as set forth in Subsection D(1) of this section
shall be effectuated by request, in writing, of the Director of Community
Development. Said Director of Community Development shall give the
waiver once he is satisfied that the waiver is consistent with the
terms of this section.
(c)
In the case of construction for all handicap ramps constructed
for one- and two-family dwellings, the Department of Community Development
shall waive all fees of whatever nature set forth in this chapter.
The waiver of such fees is limited to the fees which represent income
to the Township of Mount Laurel; such waiver shall not include payments
to the State of New Jersey.
(10)
Waiver of fees under emergency conditions:
(a)
The fee for the inspection of any dwelling unit in Mount Laurel
Township may be waived by the Township governing body during a declared
emergency by the Township Emergency Management Coordinator or after
the rescinding of a declaration of emergency to repair damages caused
by the event that triggered the declaration.
(b)
This waiver of construction permit fees is limited to repairs
specifically resulting from the declared emergency.
B.
Nonrelated uniform construction code fees. The fee for a zoning permit
in accordance with Township ordinance shall be $55.
C.
The fee shall be $4 per page for any reproduction of a large document
requested.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided
that: "This waiver of fees shall end one year from the date of the
adoption of this ordinance."
Fire limits shall be determined at a later date.
