Borough of Runnemede, NJ Chapter 120 Construction Codes, Uniform

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Runnemede 12-29-1976 by Ord. No. 307; amended in its entirety 6-1-1999 by Ord. No. 99-10 (Ch. 48 of the 1970 Code). Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Building Code — See Ch. 99.

Unfit dwellings — See Ch. 146.

Fire prevention — See Ch. 170.

Property maintenance — See Ch. 281.

Soil removal — See Ch. 310.

Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 326.

Subdivision of land — See Ch. 331.

Swimming pools — See Ch. 336.

Zoning — See Ch. 395.

Individual sewage disposal systems — See Ch. 436.

§ 120-1 Enforcing agency established; subcode officials designated.

A. There is hereby established in the Borough of Runnemede a Uniform Construction Code Enforcing Agency to be known as the "Runnemede Construction Code Enforcing Agency," consisting of a Construction Code 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 New Jersey Uniform Construction Code. The Construction Code 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 agent 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 such position.

[1] Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.

C. Central permit office. The Borough of Runnemede shall establish a central permit office under the direction and supervision of the Borough Construction Code Official, which office shall be at the same location as the Runnemede Construction Code Enforcing Agency. This office shall receive applications for construction permits and plan review; issue construction permits and certificates of occupancy; collect fees, penalties and fines; and issue notices and orders. The office shall be comparable with the amount of construction activity in the Borough. Nothing herein shall prevent the Borough from establishing branch offices, but the public shall not, unless in the case of an emergency or unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances, be required to do business except at the central office.

§ 120-2 Fees.

[Amended 4-3-2007 by Ord. No. 07-12; 3-1-2011 by Ord. No. 11-01; 12-6-2022 by Ord. No. 22-16]

A. 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 devices and the number of sprinklers, standpipes and detectors (smoke and heat) at the unit rates provided herein plus any special fees, and shall be paid before the permit is issued.

(1) Building subcode fees.

(a) There shall be a $200 flat fee for all solar projects, to be charged in addition to any other fees incurred pursuant to this section.

(b) The minimum fee shall be $80.

(c) New construction fees.

[1] Fees for Subcodes B, H, I-1, I-3, M, E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, U, I-2 shall be $0.038 times cubic feet of volume.

[a] Garden-type sheds.

[i] Over 201 square feet: $250 minimum fee.

[b] Exceptions: open structures (roofs without walls) accessory to one- and two-family dwelling: $150 minimum fee.

[2] Fees for Subcodes A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, F-1, F-2, S-1, S-2 shall be .021 times cubic feet of volume.

[3] Farm use buildings, exclusively used for storage of food or grain or the sheltering of livestock: $0.0011 times cubic feet of volume. The maximum fee is $1,145.

(d) Renovations, alterations and repairs.

[1] Open deck structures.

[a] Under 100 square feet: $75 minimum fee.

[b] One hundred to 200 square feet: $150 minimum fee.

[c] Two hundred to 400 square feet: $200 minimum fee.

[d] Four hundred one and over square feet: $250 minimum fee.

[2] Estimated cost, up to and including $50,000: $34 per $1,000.

[3] Estimated cost of $50,001 up to including $100,000: $26 per $1,000 (additional fee).

[4] Estimated cost above $100,000: $22 per $1,000 (additional fee).

[5] Handicapped fees. Pursuant to the authority under N.J.S.A. 52:26D-126e, no construction permit fee shall be required for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, improvement or repair of a structure and related devices installed or erected for the sole purpose to promote accessibility by the handicapped, handicapped being defined under N.J.S.A. 52:26D-126e; and conforming to the current N.J.A.C. 5:23.7 Barrier Free Code, and any subsequent amendments or additions thereto. By waiving of the fees, in no way waives the right of enforcing agency to request plans for the purpose of reviewing plans for code compliance.

(e) Demolition.

[1] Structures of less than 5,000 square feet and less than 30 feet in height, one- and two-family residences (R-5) and structures on farms, including commercial farm buildings used exclusively for storage of food or grain or sheltering of livestock: $92.

[2] All other groups: $150.

(f) Signs: square foot surface area of sign times $2.50. The minimum fee is $75. For double faced signs, this amount is computed on one side only.

(g) Fees for new construction shall be based upon the volume of the structure. Volume shall be competed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.28. The new construction fee shall be in the amount of $0.38 per cubic foot of volume for buildings and structures of all use groups and types of construction as classified in Articles 3 and 4 of the building subcode.

(h) Fees for renovations and alterations and repairs or site construction, including sidewalks and aprons, shall be based on the estimated cost of the work. The fee shall be in the amount of $34 per $1,000. From $50,001 to and including $100,000, the additional fee shall be in the amount of $26 per $1,000 of estimated cost above $50,000. Above $100,000, the additional fee shall be in the amount of $22 per $1,000 of estimated cost. The applicant shall submit to the Construction Official such 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 Construction Official shall make the final decision regarding the estimated cost.

(i) Fees for additions shall be computed on the same basis for new construction for the added portions at a rate of $0.038 times cubic feet of volume.

(j) Fees for combination renovations and additions shall be computed separately in accordance with Subsection A(1)(f) and (g) above.

(k) The fee for tents, in excess of 90 square feet or 30 feet in any dimension, shall be $129.

(2) Plumbing subcode fees.

(a) Minimum fee shall be $75.

(b) The fee shall be in the amount of $20 per fixture, piece of equipment or appliance connected to the gas or oil piping system except as indicated in Subsection A(2)(c) below.

(c) Additional fees shall apply to the following devices. The fee shall be $95 per special device for the following: grease traps, oil separators, refrigeration units, utility service connections, backflow preventors equipped with test ports, (double check valve assembly, reduced pressure zone and pressure vacuum breaker backflow preventors), steam boilers, hot water boilers (excluding those for domestic heating), active solar systems, sewer pumps and interceptors. There shall be no inspection fee charged for gas service entrances.

(3) Electrical subcode fees.

(a) Minimum fee shall be $75.

(b) Minimum fee: $75. For from one to 50 receptacles or fixtures, the fee shall be $65; for each 25 receptacles or fixtures in addition to this, the fee shall be in the amount of $25; for the purpose of computing this fee, receptacles or fixtures shall include lighting outlets, convenience receptacle, smoke and motors or devices of less than or equal to one horsepower or one kilowatt.

(c) For each motor or electrical device greater than one horsepower and less than or equal to 10 horsepower, and for transformers and generators greater than one kilowatt and less than or equal to 10 kilowatts, the fee shall be $25.

(d) For each motor or electrical device greater than 10 horsepower and less than or equal to 50 horsepower, for each service panel, service entrance or subpanel less than or equal to 200 amperes, for each transformer and generator greater than 10 kilowatts and less than or equal to 45 kilowatts and for each utility load management device, the fee shall be $75.

(e) For each motor or electrical device greater than 50 horsepower and less than or equal to 100 horsepower, for each service panel, service entrance or subpanel greater than 200 amperes and less than or equal to 1,000 amperes and for transformers and generators greater than 45 kilowatts and less than or equal to 112.5 kilowatts, the fee shall be $135.

(f) For each motor or electrical device greater than 100 horsepower, for each service panel, service entrance or subpanel greater than 1,000 amperes and for each transformer or generator greater than 112.5 kilowatts, the fee shall be $640. For photovoltaic systems the fee shall be based on the designated kilowatt rating of the solar photovoltaic system as follows; one to 100 kilowatts $200, greater than 100 kilowatts $700.

(g) For the purpose of computing these fees, all motors except those plug-in appliances shall be counted, including control equipment, generators, transformers and all heating, cooking or other devices consuming electrical current.

(h) The fee for aboveground swimming pools shall be $75.

(4) Fire subcode fees.

(a) Minimum fee: $75.

(b) Fire protection and other hazardous equipment: sprinklers, standpipes, detectors (smoke and heat), pre-engineered suppression systems, gas and oil-fired appliances not connected to the plumbing system, kitchen exhaust systems, incinerators and crematoriums.

[1] The fee for 20 or fewer heads shall be $95; for 21 to and including 100 heads the fee shall be $225; for 101 to and including 200 heads the fee shall be $350; for 201 to an including 400 heads the fee shall be $900; and for 401 to and including 1,000 heads the fee shall be $1,300; the fee for over 1,000 heads shall be $1,600. The fee for one to 12 detectors shall be $45; for each 25 detectors in addition to this, the fee shall be in the amount of $15.

[2] The fee for each standpipe shall be $325.

[3] The fee for each independent pre-engineered system shall be $150.

[4] The fee for each gas- or oil-fired appliance that is not connected to the plumbing system shall be $75.

[5] The fee for each kitchen exhaust system shall be $75.

[6] The fee for each incinerator shall be $500.

[7] The fee for each crematorium shall be $500.

(5) Fees for certificates and other permits.

(a) The fee for a certificate of occupancy for Use Groups R-3 and R-5 structures shall be $75.

(b) The fee for a certificate for all other use groups shall be 10% of the total permit fee, with a minimum charge of $75. The fee for a certificate of continued occupancy issued N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.23(c) shall be $168.

(c) The fee for a certificate of occupancy granted pursuant to a change of use group shall be $168. The fee for plan review of a building for compliance under the alternate systems and nondepletable energy source provisions of the energy subcode shall be $300 for one- and two-family homes (Use Group R5 of the building subcode) and for light commercial structures having the temperature controlled from a single point and $1,500 for all other structures.

(d) The fee for an application for a variation in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-10 shall be $821 for Class I structures and $168 for Class II and Class III structures. The fee for resubmission of an application for a variation shall be $321 for Class I structures and $91 for Class II and Class III.

(e) The fee for lead hazard abatement work shall be $140. The fee for lead abatement clearance certificate shall be $28.

(f) Mechanical systems. The fee for a mechanical inspection for a Use Group R-5 structure by a mechanical inspector shall be $75 for the first device and $20 for each additional device. No separate fee shall be charged for gas, fuel oil or water piping connections associated with the mechanical equipment inspected.

(g) Tanks, in-ground or aboveground: on-site inspection fee shall be $75.

(h) The building subcode permit fee for construction and installation for an aboveground swimming pool shall be $75.

(i) The fee for a bonding/grounding inspection and certificate as required for public swimming pools, spas and hot tubs by P.L. 1998, c. 137 shall be $75.

(6) Minimum fee. In any case, the minimum fee for a construction permit, in part or in total, shall be $75 with the following exceptions as determined by the Construction Office:

(a) Sheds and other small renovations or accessory structures: the charge for each such structure or renovation shall be $75.

(b) Fence and pool barriers: the fee for construction and installation of a fence under six feet shall be $75.

(c) Water heater: the fee for inspecting a replacement water heater in a Use Group R-3, R-4 and $-5 structure shall be $75.

B. Third-party agencies. In the event that a third-party agency is used for any one of the subcodes, an administrative surcharge of 15% shall be added per subcode.

C. Discontinuance of building project. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.27, in case of a discontinuance of a building project, plan review fees are refundable in the amount of 25% of the permit fee.

D. Exemptions. The only exemptions to fees are for municipal buildings, schools, fire stations or use of such buildings of Use Group A-4.

§ 120-3 Construction Board of Appeals.

Any person aggrieved by any order of the Runnemede Construction Code Enforcing Agency shall have the right to appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals of Camden County.

§ 120-4 Annual report.

On or before February 10 of each year, the Construction Code Official shall, with the advice of the subcode officials, prepare and submit to the Borough Council a report recommending a fee schedule based on the operation expenses of the agency and any other expenses of the agency and any other expenses of the Borough fairly attributable to the enforcement of the State Uniform Construction Code Act.

§ 120-5 State of New Jersey training fees.

[Amended 3-1-2011 by Ord. No. 11-01; 12-6-2022 by Ord. No. 22-16]

In order to provide for the training, certificates and technical support programs required by the Uniform Construction Code Act and the regulations, the Runnemede Construction Code Enforcing Agency shall collect, in addition to the fees specified above; a surcharge fee of $0.00371 per cubic foot of volume of new construction and, for all other construction, a surcharge fee of $1.90 per $1,000 value of construction.