Borough of Neptune City, NJ Chapter 34 Uniform Construction Code Enforcement

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Neptune City 12-27-1976 by Ord. No. 76-20. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 34-1 Enforcing agency established; subcode officials designated.

A. There is hereby established in the Borough of Neptune City a State Uniform Construction Code enforcing agency to be known as the "Building Department of the Borough of Neptune City," consisting of a Construction Official, Building Subcode Official, Plumbing Subcode Official, Electrical Subcode Official, Fire Protection Subcode Official and other such 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,[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.

§ 34-2 Appeals jurisdiction.

The Borough of Neptune City will not establish a Board of Appeals but leave appeals to the jurisdiction of the County of Monmouth.

§ 34-3 Fees.

[Amended 1-22-1996 by Ord. No. 1996-1; 3-1-1996 by Ord. No. 1996-3; 9-8-1997 by Ord. No. 1997-8; 6-14-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-5; 5-29-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-6; 8-11-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-07; 8-9-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-13; 12-26-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-16; 4-8-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-01]

A. Plan review fee. The fee for plan review shall be 20% of the amount to be charged for a new construction permit.

B. 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 $72 per subcode except as herein noted.

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

(a) 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 $0.040 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 $0.027 per cubic foot of volume for the following use groups: F-1, F-2, S-1 and S-2. The minimum fee shall be $200.

(b) Fees for reconstruction, renovations, alterations and repairs or site construction associated with premanufactured construction, and external utility connections for premanufactured construction shall be based upon the estimated cost of the work. The fee shall be in the amount of $33 per $1,000 of the estimated cost of work. From $50,001 to and including $100,000, the additional fee shall be in the amount of $30 per $1,000 of the estimated cost above $50,000. Above $100,000, the additional fee shall be in the amount of $25 per $1,000 of the estimated cost above $100,000.

(c) For the purpose of determining the estimated cost, the applicant shall submit 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 estimated cost.

(d) Fees for additions shall be computed on the same basis for new construction for the added portion.

(e) Fees for combination renovations and additions shall be computed separately in accordance with items in Subsection B(1)(a) and (b) above.

(f) The fee for tents requiring a construction permit shall be $160.

(g) The fee for temporary structures requiring a construction permit shall be $100.

(h) The fee for roofing and siding work completed on structures in Use Groups R-3 and R-5 shall be $56 per structure. All other use groups shall be considered renovation and calculated as per Subsection B(1)(b) above.

(i) The fee for an aboveground swimming pool shall be $86.

(j) The fee for an inground swimming pool with a surface area greater than 800 square feet shall be $265; the fee for all other cases shall be $200.

(k) The fee for replacing barriers surrounding and enclosing swimming pools required to have barriers shall be $72.

(l) 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. The minimum fee shall be $72.

(m) The fee for a permit for lead hazard abatement work shall be $186. The fee for lead abatement clearance certificate shall be $37.

(n) The fee for the issuance of a building permit that a fee has not been determined shall be $72.

(o) The fee to erect a fence greater than six feet in height shall be $72.

(p) The fee for an asbestos removal permit shall be $86.

(q) 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 $200;

[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 $100;

[3] The fee for a retaining wall of any size that is associated with other than a Class 3 residential structure shall be based on the cost of construction of the wall.

(2) Plumbing. Plumbing fixtures and equipment; the fees shall be as follows:

(a) The fee shall be $17 per plumbing fixture and/or water closet, urinal, bidet, bath tub, shower, lavatory, sink, laundry tub, floor drains, drinking fountains, residential dishwashers, garbage disposals, clothes washers, water heaters up to 99 gallons, 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 $100 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 preventors, gas piping, sewer pumps, interceptors, active solar systems, and testing of waste and vents for modular homes.

(c) The fee shall be $37 for the installation of lawn sprinkler backflow preventors.

(d) The fee shall be $86 for the installation of a boiler (hot water or steam) up to 250,000 BTUs.

(e) The fee shall be $332 for the installation of a boiler (hot water or steam) 250,001 BTUs and above.

(f) The fee shall be $86 for residential or commercial gas piping. Adding to an existing system shall be $40.

(g) The fee shall be $53 for the installation of a water heater 100 gallons and up.

(h) The fee shall be $40 for commercial oil piping. Adding to an existing system shall be $27.

(i) For cross connections and backflow preventors that are subject to testing, the fee shall be $113 per device for each test.

(j) The fee shall be $72 for the installation of air conditioning for Use Groups R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5. The fee for the installation of a mini-split system shall be in accordance with § 34-3B(2)(o) hereinbelow.

(k) The fee shall be $146 for the installation of industrial and commercial air conditioning and refrigeration.

(l) The fee for the installation of hydronic piping shall be $47 per every 100 lineal feet.

(m) The fee for the installation of medical gas shall be $86 per system plus $17 for each station.

(n) The fee for the installation of a geo-thermal system shall be $86.

(o) The fee for the installation of a mini-split system shall be $90 for each condenser unit and one evaporator coil. The fee for each additional evaporator coil shall be $27.

(p) The fee for the installation of duct work for Use Groups R-3 and R-5 shall be $60.

(q) The fee for a chimney liner shall be $30.

(r) The fee for the installation of pool drains associated with swimming pools shall be $115.

(3) Electrical. The electrical subcode fees shall be as follows:

(a) For the first block of one to 25 receptacles, fixtures or devices, the fee shall be $61. 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, rain sensor, 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, switch board, load center, overhead service entrance conductor, 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:

[1] Up to and including 200 amps: $100.

[2] Up to and including 400 amps: $180.

[3] Up to and including 800 amps: $435.

[4] Up to and including 1,200 amps: $662.

[5] For each additional 400 amps above 1,200 amps add: $181.

(c) For each motor or electrical device rated in horsepower (hp), the fee shall be:

[1] From one hp up to including 10 hp: $15.

[2] Greater than 10 hp up to and including 50 hp: $68.

[3] Greater than 50 hp up to and including 100 hp: $133.

[4] Greater than 100 hp: $200.

[5] For each additional 50kW or portion thereof above 150kW: $50.

(d) For each generator, transformer, and all other items measured in kW not specified in this fee schedule, the fee shall be:

[1] From one kW up to and including 10 kW: $15.

[2] Greater than 10 kW up to and including 45 kW: $68.

[3] Greater than 45 kW up to and including 112.5 kW: $133.

[4] Greater than 112.5 kW up to and including 150kW: $200.

[5] For each additional 50kW or portion thereof above 150kW: $50.

(e) For each piece or unit of equipment used for air conditioning, refrigeration, measured in tonnage, the fee shall be:

[1] For the first three tons or fraction thereof: $39.

[2] For each additional ton or fraction thereof above three tons: $13.

(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:

[1] Aboveground swimming pool for Group R-5: $100.

[2] Inground swimming pool for Group R-5: $133.

[3] Swimming pool for all other groups: $200.

[4] Spa, hydro massage tub, hot tub, sauna: $47.

[5] Annual commercial pool inspection: $86.

[6] For each additional UW light add: $7.

[7] Trenches over 150 feet, add $47 for each 150 lineal feet.

(g) 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 $47 per panel.

(h) For each trench of 150 lineal feet for primary power, secondary power, and communications, the fee shall be $47.

(i) For each solar photovoltaic system the fee shall be:

[1] For the first 10 kW: $166.

[2] For each additional 10 kW add: $66.

(j) For light standards above 8-0 feet in height (includes first 150 lineal feet of trench), the fee shall be $20 per fixture. Trenches over 150 lineal feet shall be $47 for each additional 150 lineal feet.

(k) For each hardwired sign, the fee shall be $60.

(l) For each electric range, electric dryer, dishwasher, electric cook top, double oven, garbage disposal, and electric water heater, the fee shall be:

[1] Individual dwelling units: $33.

[2] All other groups: $60.

(m) For the installation or replacement of each furnace or boiler, the fee shall be:

[1] Individual dwelling units: $47.

[2] All other groups: $72.

(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 $47.

(p) For each electric vehicle car charging system, the fee shall be:

[1] For Use Groups R-3 and R-5, the fee shall be $86.

[2] For all other use groups, the fee shall be $125.

(4) Fire. For fire protection and 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, crematoriums, fireplaces and flues, the fee shall be as follows:

(a) Sprinkler heads and defectors.

[1] The installation, relocation or alteration of sprinkler heads and single or multiple station smoke or heat detectors not connected to a fire alarm panel:

[a] The fee for 20 or fewer sprinkler heads or detectors shall be $86.

[b] The fee for 21 to and including 100 sprinkler heads or detectors shall be $166.

[c] The fee for 101 to and including 200 sprinkler heads or detectors shall be $332.

[d] The fee for 201 to and including 400 sprinkler heads or detectors shall be $700.

[e] The fee for 401 to and including 1,000 sprinkler heads or detectors shall be $1,065.

[f] The fee for over 1,000 sprinkler heads or detectors shall be $1,400.

[2] In computing fees for heads and detectors, the number of each shall be counted separately and two fees, one for heads and one for detectors shall be charged.

(b) The fee for the installation of a fire alarm panel shall be $66. 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 as follows:

[1] The fee for one to 12 devices shall be $4 per device.

[2] The fee for 13 to 24 devices shall be $3 per device.

[3] The fee for 25 or more devices shall be $2 per device.

(c) The fee for each standpipe shall be $280.

(d) The fee for each independent pre-engineered system shall be $133.

(e) The fee for each gas- or oil-fired appliance which is not connected to the plumbing system shall be $72.

(f) The fee for each commercial kitchen exhaust system shall be $72.

(g) The fee for each fireplace shall be $72.

(h) The fee for each flue attached to oil- or gas-fired appliance shall be $72.

(i) The fee shall be $72 for the installation of residential fuel tanks.

(j) The fee for the installation of commercial fuel tanks up to and including 1,000 gallons shall be $106 each. For tanks 1,001 gallons and above the fee shall be $240 each.

(k) The fee for the removal of a fuel storage tank shall be $72 for each tank under 2,000 gallons and $106 for each tank 2,000 gallons and above.

(l) The fee for each incinerator shall be $485.

(m) The fee for each crematorium shall be $485.

(n) The fee for fire suppression system underground piping, up to the building, shall be $100 per every 150 lineal feet.

(o) The fee for the inspection of gasoline vapor/product line shall be $72.

(p) For the installation, relocation, alteration or replacement of any item requiring a fire protection subcode permit and not included in Subsection B(4), the fee shall be per item as stated in Subsection B(4)(a) above.

(q) The fee for the installation of a solar energy system shall be $72.

(5) Certificates and other permits. Fees are as follows:

(a) The fee for a certificate of occupancy for new construction shall be $53 per unit.

(b) The fee for a certificate of occupancy granted pursuant to a change of use group shall be $240.

(c) The fee for a continued certificate of occupancy shall be $240.

(d) The fee for a temporary certificate of occupancy shall be $30. 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.

(e) The fee for an application for a variation in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.10 shall be $66. The fee for a resubmission of an application for a variation shall be $53.

(f) The fee for a demolition or removal permit shall be $85 for structures of less than 5,000 square feet in area and less than 30 feet in height, for one- and two-family residences, and $160 for all other structures (accessory structures, garages and sheds with no utilities) shall be $47.

(g) The fee to reinstate a lapsed construction permit shall be 10% of the cost of the original permit, but in no case less than $66.

(h) In order to provide for 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, a surcharge fee of $0.00371 per cubic foot of volume of new buildings and additions. Volume shall be computed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.28. The fee for all other construction shall be $1.90 per $1,000 of value of construction. Said surcharge fee shall be remitted to the Division of Codes and Standards, Department of Community Affairs, on a quarterly basis for the fiscal quarters 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.

(i) All fees are to be rounded to the nearest dollar.

§ 34-4 Fire limits.

A. There is no necessity at the present time to establish a fire limit within the Borough of Neptune City.

B. The Construction Official shall prepare and submit to the Borough Council, biannually, a report reevaluating the delineation of the fire limits. This report shall indicate the recommendations of the Construction Official, the Building Subcode Official and the Fire Subcode Official regarding those areas which should be designated as within fire limits, with the reasons therefor.