[Adopted 5-26-1977 by Ord. No. 77-172]
A. 
There is hereby established in the Township of Commercial a State Uniform Construction Code enforcing agency to be known as the Commercial Township Construction Enforcing Agency, consisting of a construction official, building subcode official, plumbing 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 above shall be filled by a person qualified for such position pursuant to P.L. 1975, C. 217,[1] as amended, 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.
Appeals from decisions of the enforcing agency shall be taken to the Construction Board of Appeals duly appointed by and for the County of Cumberland, pursuant to the provisions of the State Uniform Construction Code.
[Amended 6-27-1979 by Ord. No. 79-194A; 3-18-1981 by Ord. No. 81-224; Ord. No. 86-266; 2-28-1991 by Ord. No. 91-317; 9-22-1994 by Ord. No. 94-349; 10-19-1995 by Ord. No. 95-362; 5-27-1999 by Ord. No. 99-401; 1-30-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-437; 9-29-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-464; 3-20-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-494; 8-19-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-517; 4-21-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-521; 4-19-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-588; 9-20-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-592; 1-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-595; 4-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-599]
The fee for a construction permit shall be the sum of the basic construction fee plus all applicable special fees and shall be paid before the permit is issued. Each fee shall be rounded up to the nearest dollar.
A. 
Plan review fee. The fee for plan review shall be 20% of the construction permit fee.
B. 
Building subcode fees. The building subcode fee shall be:
(1) 
New construction, including additions, with finished interior, the fee shall be $0.040 per cubit foot of volume; provided, the minimum fee shall be $100.
(2) 
New construction of accessory buildings with unfinished interior, the fee shall be $0.036 per cubic foot of volume; provided, the minimum fee shall be $60. Pre-manufactured accessory buildings under 300 square feet shall be a flat fee of $50. Over 300 square feet, the fee shall be calculated at $50 per $1,000 of cost.
(3) 
Pre-manufactured, modular and pre-built dwellings, the fee shall be $70 per estimated cost of site construction associated with the installation of the home (i.e., foundations, steps, decks, porches, heating systems, plumbing, gas and electrical hookups, etc.); provided, that the minimum fee shall be $500. As per the UCC, N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.18(c), there shall be no fees for the factory-built portion of the home.
(4) 
Farm structures. The fee for qualified farm structure shall be $0.010 per cubic foot of volume with a maximum fee of $1,000 per structure. The structure must be used exclusively for farm use and located on a qualified farm pursuant to the Farmland Assessment Act of 1964.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 54:4-23.1 et seq.
(5) 
For renovation, alterations, and repair, the fee shall be $40 per $1,000 in estimated costs for all residential use groups, and including Use Group U, provided the minimum fee shall be $100. For all other Use Groups, the fee shall be $50 per $1,000 in estimated costs provided the minimum fee shall be $100.
(6) 
Fees for the combination renovations and additions shall be the sum of the two fees computed separately in accordance with § 131-3B(1) and (5) above.
(7) 
For installation of swimming pools, the fee shall be $140 for an above-ground pool and $210 for an in-ground pool (also see electrical fees). Annual pool inspection is $100.
(8) 
Photovoltaic systems:
(a) 
Ground system: $500.
(b) 
Racking (two inspections): $150.
C. 
Fees for certificates and other permits. The fees for certificates and for special permits shall be:
(1) 
Demolition of:
(a) 
Residential structures: $200.
(b) 
Accessory structures: $50.
(c) 
All fees for other use groups are $300 for the first 20,000 square feet and $50 for each additional 20,000 square feet or part thereof.
(2) 
Removal of underground storage tanks:
(a) 
Six hundred gallons or less: $150.
(b) 
Greater than 600 gallons: $375.
(3) 
Installation of an aboveground or underground storage tank, per tank:
(a) 
Five hundred gallons or less: $175.
(b) 
Greater than 500 gallons and less than 1,000 gallons: $225.
(c) 
One thousand gallons or more: $325.
(4) 
Sign permits. The fee shall be $1 per square foot, provided the minimum fee shall be $40.
(5) 
Certificate of occupancy.
(a) 
Residential.
[1] 
New homes: $100.
[2] 
Residential additions: $50.
[3] 
Residential storage buildings over 300 square feet: $50.
(b) 
All other use groups: $130.
(6) 
Continued certificate of occupancy:
(a) 
Residential: $168.
(b) 
All other use groups: $168.
(7) 
Reinstatement of permit: $100 applicable after one year of issuance date, plus volumes increase if applicable at the time of reinstatement.
(8) 
Lead abatement: $125 for permit and $75 for clearance certificate.
(9) 
Asbestos abatement: $125 for permit and $75 for clearance certificate.
(10) 
Application for a variation for all use groups: $400.
(11) 
Radon mitigation system: $145.
(12) 
Lawn sprinklers: $80.
(13) 
Work, office and classroom trailers: $100 set up.
(14) 
Storable pool/spa/hot tub: $90.
(15) 
Walk-in freezer, cooler: $80.
(16) 
Heat pump: $80.
D. 
DCA training fees. The fee shall be $0.00371 per cubic feet of volume and $1.90 per $1,000 for alterations (as per DCA effective 5-16-2016).
E. 
Plumbing subcode fees. The plumbing subcode fees shall be computed as follows:
(1) 
Appliances and fixtures connected to the plumbing system. The fee shall be $20 each for the following:
(a) 
Water closet, urinal or bidet.
(b) 
Bathtub.
(c) 
Lavatory.
(d) 
Shower.
(e) 
Floor drain.
(f) 
Sink.
(g) 
Dishwasher.
(h) 
Drinking fountain.
(i) 
Hose bibb.
(j) 
Water heater.
(k) 
Washing machine.
(l) 
Stacks.
(2) 
Special devices. The fee shall be $90 each for the following:
(a) 
Fuel oil piping.
(b) 
New gas piping system.
(c) 
Steam boiler.
(d) 
Interceptor or separator.
(e) 
Backflow preventor.
(f) 
Grease trap.
(g) 
Water-cooled air conditioner.
(h) 
Central air-conditioning or refrigeration unit.
(i) 
Active solar system.
(j) 
Hot water boiler.
(k) 
Warm air furnace (new installation only, involving new piping).
(l) 
Utility service connections.
(m) 
Sewer pumps.
(3) 
The minimum plumbing permit fee shall be $90.
F. 
Mechanical subcode fees: the minimum fee shall be $90.
G. 
Electrical subcode fees. Electrical subcode fees shall be as follows:
(1) 
Fixtures, receptacles, switches (one to 50): $75.
(a) 
Each additional 25: $35.
(2) 
Service panels/services entrance/subpanels:
(a) 
Zero to 200 amp: $150.
(b) 
Two hundred one to 1,000 amp: $200.
(c) 
Over 1,000 amp: $640.
(3) 
Electrical devices/generators/transformers:
(a) 
Over 1 KW – 10 KW: $30.
(b) 
Over 10 KW – 45 KW: $120.
(c) 
Over 45 KW – 112.5 KW: $165.
(d) 
Over 112.5 KW: $500.
(4) 
Motors:
(a) 
Over 1 HP – 10 HP: $30.
(b) 
Over 10 HP – 50 HP: $120.
(c) 
Over 50 HP – 100 HP: $165.
(d) 
Over 100 HP: $500.
(5) 
Other devices:
(a) 
Three-phase service:
[1] 
One thousand amps or less: $125.
[2] 
Greater than 1,000 amps: $400.
(b) 
Minimum electrical subcode fees: $90.
(c) 
Annual Inspection for public swimming pools, spas and hot tubs located on any property other than one- or two-family residential properties: $100.
(d) 
Swimming pool (in-ground or storable), spa, or hot tub: $60.
(e) 
Water heater, dryer, dishwasher: $18.
(f) 
Signs, light standards: $35.
(g) 
Range, oven, surface unit, AC unit, space heater/air handlers, baseboard heat, heat pumps, pumps, motors: Priced per KW or HP as above.
(h) 
Garbage disposals, smoke detectors, thermostats, fractional HP motors: Priced per fixtures as above.
(6) 
Photovoltaic systems:
(a) 
One to 50 KW: $150.
(b) 
Fifty-one to 100 KW: $200.
(c) 
One hundred one to 1,000 KW: $457.
H. 
Fire subcode fees:
(1) 
Detectors (1 – 6): $90.
(a) 
Each additional 25: $25.
(2) 
Sprinkler systems.
(a) 
First 20 heads: $100.
(b) 
Twenty-one to 100: $150.
(c) 
One hundred one to 200: $300.
(d) 
Two hundred one to 400: $400.
(e) 
Four hundred one to 1,000: $500.
(3) 
Standpipe system: $250.
(4) 
Fire pump: $250.
(5) 
Special suppression systems:
(a) 
Range hoods, commercial.
[1] 
First one: $225.
[2] 
Each additional: $75.
(b) 
Large systems (carbon dioxide, halon, etc.): $230.
(6) 
Fire alarms:
(a) 
First 6 devices: $90.
(b) 
Each additional 10 devices: $25.
(7) 
Exit signs and emergency exit lighting (per floor): $50.
(8) 
Installation of storage tanks: $200.
(9) 
Heat producing devices (fireplace, wood stove, furnace, etc.).
(a) 
New: $100.
(b) 
As part of construction: $50.
I. 
Waiver of fees. As per N.J.S.A. 52:27D-126c, Commercial Township will collect no fees in connection with the construction of residential handicap ramps.
The construction official shall with the advice of the subcode officials, prepare and submit to the Township Committee of the Township of Commercial 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.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.
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 above, a surcharge fee of $0.0006 per cubic foot of volume of new construction. Said surcharge fee shall be remitted to the Bureau of Housing Inspection, Department of Community Affairs, on a quarterly basis for the fiscal quarter 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, said 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, said report shall be the third and fourth quarters only.