Township of Pilesgrove, NJ Chapter 80 Construction Codes, Uniform

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Pilesgrove 4-12-1977; amended in its entirety 5-12-2009 by Ord. No. 09-06. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Buildings and housing — See Ch. 64.

Unfit buildings — See Ch. 65.

Land use — See Ch. 145.

 — See Ch.

§ 80-1 Enforcing agency established; subcode officials designated.

A. There is hereby established in the Township of Pilesgrove a State Uniform Construction Code enforcing agency, to be known as the "Department of Construction Inspection," consisting of a Construction Official, a Building Subcode Official, and Electrical Subcode Official, A Fire Protection Subcode Official, an Elevator Subcode Official Subcode Official and such other subcode officials for such other 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. The Construction Official and the subcode officials shall be determined form time to time by resolution of the Township Committee.

B. Each official position created in Subsection A hereof shall be filled by a person qualified for such position pursuant to applicable statute or regulations. More than one such official position may be held by the same person, provided that such person is qualified pursuant to applicable statute or regulations to hold each such position.

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

D. All subcode officials, their assistants and staff and all other personnel working for the Department of Construction Inspection shall be subject to the procedures and policies of said agency and shall be primarily responsible to the Construction Official.

§ 80-2 Fees.

A. General fees. Enforcing agency fees shall be as follows:

(1) The fee for plan review shall be 20% of the amount to be charged for a construction permit. This fee shall be nonrefundable.

(2) The basic construction permit 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 rating of electrical devices, the number of sprinklers, standpipes and detectors (smoke and heat) and carbon monoxide at the unit rates and/or the applicable flat fees as provided herein plus any special fees.

(a) Building volume or cost. The fees for new construction or alteration are as follows:

[1] 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 new construction fee shall be in the amount of $0.035 per cubic foot of volume for buildings and structures of all use groups and types of construction as classified and defined in Articles 3 and 4 of the building subcode, except that the fee shall be $0.025 per cubic foot of volume for use groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, F-1, F-2, S-1 and S-2, and the fee shall be $0.015 per cubic foot for farm structures, including commercial farm buildings under N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.2(d), with the minimum fee of $150 and a maximum fee of $1,400. Except in the case of small sheds, one- and two-car garages and other small accessory structures on residential property, the minimum fee shall be $60.

[Amended 11-13-2012 by Ord. No. 12-09]

[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 work. The fee shall be in the amount of $29 per $1000. From $50,001 to and including $100,000, the additional fee shall be in the amount of $22 per $1,000 of estimated cost above $100,000. 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.

[3] A bona fide contractor's bid, if available, shall be submitted. The Department shall make the final decision regarding estimated cost.

[4] Fees for additions shall be computed on the same basis as for new construction for the added portion.

[5] Fees for combination renovations and additions shall be computed as the sum of the fees computed separately in accordance with Subsection A(2)(a)[2] and [4] above.

[6] The fee for tents in excess of 900 square feet or more than 30 feet in any dimension shall be $92.

[7] The fee for roofing or siding work completed on structures of Group R-3 or R-5 shall be $60.

[8] The fee for an aboveground pool shall be $100 for a pool with a surface area greater than 550 square feet; the fee in all other cases shall be $60. The fee for an in-ground swimming pool shall be $300 for a pool with a surface area greater than 550 square feet; the fee in all other cases shall be $200.

[9] Fees for retaining walls shall be as follows:

[a] 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 $150;

[b] 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 $75;

[c] The fees 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.

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

[1] The fee shall be in the amount of $15 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.

[2] The fee shall be $75 per special device for the following: 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.

[3] There shall be no inspection fee charged for gas service entrances installed by public utility.

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

[1] For the first block consisting of one to 50 receptacles, fixtures or devices the fee shall be $45; for each additional block consisting of up to 25 receptacles, fixtures or devices the fee shall be $8. 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).

[2] For each motor or electrical device rated from one hp or one 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 bath tub; 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 each light standard greater than eight feet in height, including luminaries; and for each communications closet the fee shall be $12.

[3] For each motor or electrical device rated from greater than 10 hp of 10 kw to 50 hp or 50 kw; for each service equipment, panel board, switch board, switch gear, motor-control-center, or disconnecting means rated 225 amperes of 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 $58.

[4] 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, switch board, 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 $115.

[5] For each motor or electrical device rated greater than 100 hp or 100 kw; for each service equipment, panel board, switch board, 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 $571.

[6] The fee charged for the installation of single and multiple station smoke or heat detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire, burglar or security alarm systems in any one- or two-family dwelling shall be a flat fee of $40 per dwelling unit. For fire, burglar and security alarm systems and detectors in buildings other than one- or two-family dwellings, the fee shall be charged in accordance with Subsection A(2)(c)[3], [4] or [5] above.

[7] 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 load side panel boards shall be charged in accordance with Subsection A(2)(c)[4] and [5] above. There shall be no additional fee charged for the concurrent installation of individual feeder conductors.

[8] 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.

[9] For electrical work requiring replacement of service entrance conductors or feeder conductors only the fee shall be in accordance with Subsection A(2)(c)[4] and [5] above based on the designated ampere rating of the over current device of the service or feeder.

[10] The fee charged for process equipment shall be based on ampere rating of the overcurrent device protecting the conductor feeding the process equipment or the cutoff device.

[11] For the purpose of computing theses fees, all electrical and communication devices, utilization equipment and motors which are part of premises wiring, except those which are portable plug in type, shall be counted.

(d) For fire protection and hazardous equipment, sprinklers, standpipes, detectors (smoke and heat), pre-engineered suppression systems, kitchen exhaust systems, incinerators and crematoriums, the fee shall be as follows:

[1] The fee for 20 or fewer heads shall be $65; for 21 to and including 100 heads the fee shall be $120; for 101 up to and including 200 heads the fee shall be $229; for 201 up to and including 400 heads the fee shall be $594; for 401 up to and including 1,000 heads the fee shall be $822; for over 1,000 heads the fee shall be $1,050.

[2] The fee for one to 12 detectors shall be $36; for each 25 detectors in addition the fee shall be $12.

[3] The fee for each standpipe shall be $229.

[4] The fee for each independent per-engineered system shall be $92.

[5] The fee for each gas- or oil-fired appliance that is not connected to the plumbing system shall be $46.

[6] The fee for each kitchen exhaust system shall be $46.

[7] The fee for each incinerator shall be $365.

[8] The fee for each crematorium shall be $365.

[9] For single- and multiple-station smoke or heat detectors and carbon monoxide 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(2)(d)[2] above.

(e) For solar systems, the fee shall be as follows:

[Added 6-15-2016 by Ord. No. 16-05]

[1] Building permit.

[a] The fee for a building permit for roof mount residential shall be $150.

[b] The fee for a ground mount solar systems, residential only, shall be $250.

[c] A bona fide contractor's bid, if available, shall be submitted. The Department shall make the final decision regarding estimated cost.

[2] Electrical permit.

[a] Residential:

[i] Up to 10 kw, the fee shall be $300.

[ii] Over 10 kw, the fee shall be $300 for the first 10 kw, plus $15 for each additional 1 kw.

[b] Commercial:

[i] Up to 50 kw, the fee shall be $750.

[ii] Over 50 kw, the fee shall be $750 for the first 50 kw, plus $50 for each additional 10 kw.

[3] 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 over-current device of the service or feeder.

[4] The fee charged for process equipment shall be based on ampere rating of the over-current device protecting the conductor feeding the process equipment or the cutoff device.

[5] For the purpose of computing these fees, all electrical and communication devices, utilization equipment and motors which are part of premises wiring, except those which are portable plug-in type, shall be counted.

(f) For mechanical inspection, replacement only, in a structure of Group R-3, R-4 or R-5, by a mechanical inspector, the minimum fee shall be $65.

[Added 6-15-2016 by Ord. No. 16-05]

[1] The fee for LPG, NG and oil-fired hot-water boilers, warm air furnace, water heaters, etc., shall be $85.

[2] The fee for generators, LPG and NG, shall be $85.

[3] The fee for tanks, oil and LPG, shall be $65.

[4] The fee for piping connections, LPG, NG and oil, shall be $65.

[5] The fee for any item not listed above shall be determined by the Construction Official and the Plumbing Subcode Official.

B. Fees for certificates and other permits are as follows:

(1) The fee 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 dwellings (group R-3 or R-5 of the building subcode), structures on farms, including commercial farm buildings under N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.2(d), and $120 for all other groups.

(2) The fee for a permit to construct a sign shall be $2 per square foot; with a minimum charge of $60.

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

(4) The fee for a certificate of occupancy granted pursuant to a change of use group shall be $200.

(5) The fee for a certificate of continued occupancy issued under N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.23(c) shall be $200.

(6) The fee for the first issuance and the renewal of a temporary certificate of occupancy shall be $30.

(a) Exception. There shall be no fee for the first issuance of the temporary certificate of occupancy, provided the certificate of occupancy fee is paid at that time.

(b) Exception. 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.

(7) There shall be no fee charged for an issuance of a certificate of approval.

(8) There shall be no fee charged for an issuance of a certificate of compliance.

C. For cross-connections and backflow preventers that are subject to testing, requiring reinspections annually, the fee shall be $60 for each device when they are tested.

D. Annual permit requirements are as follows:

(1) The fee to be charged for an annual construction permit shall be charged annually. This fee shall be a flat fee based upon the number of maintenance workers who are employed by the facility and who are primarily engaged in work that is governed by a subcode. Managers, engineers and electricians shall not be considered maintenance workers for the purpose of establishing the annual construction permit fee. Annual permits may be issued for building/fire protection, electrical and plumbing.

E. 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 $100 for each device.

F. 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 E above shall be $260 for each device.

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

H. The fee for a mechanical inspection in a structure of Group R-3 or R-5 by a mechanical inspector shall be $60 for the first device and $10 for each additional device. No separate fee shall be charged for gas, fuel oil, or water piping connections associated with the mechanical equipment inspected.

I. The fee for the annual electrical inspection of swimming pools, spas or hot tubs shall be $100.

(1) The fee for and application by a manufacturer, distributor, owner or any other person for approval of any fixture, appurtenance, material or method, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.8, shall be an amount equal to the cost incurred by the Department for such tests as the Department may require, plus and administrative surcharge in the amount of 10% of such cost.

(2) 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 verifying that any work performed has abated the violations.

(a) Hourly charge shall be the same as the hourly charge set forth at N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.20(b), four times the number of hours spent by the Code Official in determining whether a violation exists or verifying that any work performed has abated the violations.

(b) Any appeal of a charge levied by the Department pursuant to this subsection shall be made in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.38.

J. Minimum fees. There shall be a minimum fee of $60 per technical section. Residential hot water heater shall be exempt from minimum fee.

K. Any permit issues and fees not addressed in this chapter shall be determined by the Construction Code Official and the appropriate subcode official.

§ 80-3 Annual report.

The Construction Official shall, with the advice of the subcode officials, prepare and submit to the Township Committee of the Township of Pilesgrove, biannually, a report recommending a fee schedule based on 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.

§ 80-4 State of New Jersey training surcharge fee.

In order to provide for the training and certification and technical support programs required by the Act, the enforcing agency shall collect a fee to be based upon the volume of new construction within the municipality. Said fee shall be accounted for and forwarded to the Bureau of Housing Inspection in the manner herein provided.

A. Amount. This fee shall be in the amount of $0.00334 per cubic foot of volume of new construction. Volume shall be computed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.28. The fee for all other construction shall be $1.70 per $1,000 of value of construction.

B. The minimum surcharge fee shall be $1.

C. Remitting and reporting. The municipality shall remit fees to the Bureau on a quarterly basis, in conjunction with report number r-840A State Training Fee Report, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.5(d). Checks shall be made payable to "Treasury, State of New Jersey."