[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Park Ridge 12-30-1976 by Ord. No. 76-30. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Electric service regulations — See Ch. 56.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 60.
Flood hazard control — See Ch. 61.
House numbering — See Ch. 69.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 80.
Stormwater management — See Ch. 84A.
Subdivision and site plan review — See Ch. 87.
Swimming pools — See Ch. 88.
A. 
There is hereby established in the Borough of Park Ridge a State Uniform Construction Code 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 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., the State Uniform Construction Code Act.
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.
[Amended 4-18-1977 by Ord. No. 77-7; 12-27-1979 by Ord. No. 79-19; 2-11-1991 by Ord. No. 91-1; 9-8-1992 by Ord. No. 92-23; 3-8-1994 by Ord. No. 94-2; 9-12-1995 by Ord. No. 95-13; 4-11-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-5; 4-22-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-3; 3-8-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-1; 7-12-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-11; 7-10-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-18; 2-24-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-04; 8-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-18; 4-28-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-0084-10-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-006; 8-11-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-009]
A. 
General.
(1) 
The fee for plan review shall be a percentage of the fee for a construction permit and shall be paid at the time of submission of an application for a permit. The amount of this fee shall then be deducted from the amount of the fee due for a construction permit when the permit is issued. Plan review fees are not refundable.
(2) 
The fee to be charged for a construction permit will be the sum of the subcode fees plus all applicable special fees, such as elevator or sign fees. This fee shall be paid before a permit is issued.
(3) 
The fee to be charged for a certificate of occupancy shall be paid before a certificate is issued. This fee shall be in addition to the construction permit fee.
B. 
Plan review fees. Fees shall be computed as 20% of the fee for the construction permit.
C. 
Construction permit fees. The fee for a construction permit shall be the sum of all subcode fees, the required certificate fee, and the New Jersey training fee. A minimum construction permit fee for any one subcode shall be $75 for residential and $150 for commercial for all subcodes.
(1) 
Building subcode fees.
(a) 
New construction and additions.
[1] 
New construction and additions for Residential Use Group R5: $0.060 per cubic foot. However, the minimum fee for a building subcode fee under this section shall be $350.
[2] 
New construction and additions for all other use groups: $0.065 per cubic foot. However, the minimum fee for a commercial permit under this section shall be $1,000.
(b) 
For alteration work, including but not limited to roofing, siding, repairs and modifications, to a structure for all R-5 residential use groups, the fee shall be $25 per $1,000 of estimated construction costs, with a minimum fee of $75 for the residential use.
(c) 
For alteration work, including but not limited to roofing, siding, repairs and modifications, to a structure for all other use groups, there shall be a cost of $30 per $1,000 of construction costs, with a minimum fee of $150 for all commercial uses.
(d) 
Removal permit fee, for moving a structure from one location to another, shall be $25 per $1,000 of all cost incurred in moving the structure plus the permit fee for the new foundation based on the volumetric computation in Subsection C(1)(a).
(e) 
Demolition permit fee (removal of structure or in-ground pool from property):
[1] 
One- and two-family dwellings, Use Group R5: $400.
[2] 
Removal of accessory structures or miscellaneous structures, Use Group U: $150.
[3] 
All other use groups: $750.
(f) 
Demolition permit fee (removal or abandonment of a tank):
[1] 
Tank located on Use Group R5 property: $100.
[2] 
Tank located on all other use groups' property: $150.
(g) 
Installation of in-ground storage tanks (each), all use groups: $75.
(h) 
On all building lots, the applicant for a building permit for a new single-family house, garden apartment building, or townhouse building shall be required to post an engineering escrow of $2,500 for residential and $3,000 for commercial; or, at the Construction Official's discretion, for an addition to an existing structure, an escrow of $1,500. This escrow is for plot plan review, engineering inspections of nonpublic improvements and a review of the final as-built plan. If, because of extraordinary land topography, drainage concerns, retaining walls in excess of five feet in height or other similar out-of-the-ordinary considerations, the Construction Official deems that additional Borough Engineer time will be needed to ensure proper technical installation, he may require the applicant to post an additional engineering escrow.
(i) 
Other fees.
[1] 
Microwave receiving antenna: $75.
[2] 
Fence permits:
[a] 
Use R5 without pools on individual lots: N/C.
[b] 
All other uses: Same as Subsection C(1)(a)[1] and [2].
[3] 
Lighted signs: $150.
[4] 
Swimming pools:
[a] 
In-ground for Use Group R-5: $500; engineering escrow of $1,500.
[b] 
Aboveground for Use Group R5: $100.
[c] 
In-ground pools, all other use groups: $1,000; engineering escrow of $2,500.
[5] 
Asbestos abatement: $150.
[6] 
Open structural tower: $500.
(j) 
In Zones B-1, B-2, B-3, CH, ORL, RD1 and RD2, the applicant for a building permit shall be required to post an engineering escrow of $2,500 for plot plan review and engineering inspections of nonpublic improvements and final as-built plan review. In exceptional circumstances, additional escrows may be required for engineering review. Any unused escrow shall be refunded to the applicant.
(k) 
In-ground swimming pool requirements.
[1] 
Soil-moving permit must be completely filled out showing amount of soil to be disturbed, amount of soil to be removed and amount of soil to be exported.
[2] 
Cut and fill calculations to agree with soil moving permit.
[3] 
Drainage calculations.
[4] 
All seepage pits being installed to have a percolation test.
[5] 
Site plan showing all topographical contours prepared by a registered design professional.
[6] 
Total rear yard coverage for accessory structures and/or use not to exceed 10%.
[7] 
Pool to be a minimum of 20 feet from all property lines.
[8] 
Pool equipment, walkways, decking and pool patios to be a minimum of 15 feet from all property lines.
[9] 
Cabanas (under 150 square feet) to be a minimum of five feet from all property lines.
[10] 
The Construction Code Official may request for R-5 use group an escrow deposit of $1,500 for engineering review. In exceptional circumstances, additional escrows may be required for engineering review.
(l) 
Plan review fee without issuance of permit 20% of permit fee - UCC established.
(2) 
Plumbing subcode fees, as provided for in this chapter, shall be a minimum fee of $75 for all residential structures and a minimum fee of $150 for all commercial structures. These fees shall be in addition to the fees, which are set forth in the subsections of this section, for the specific work proposed.
(a) 
Fixtures which include water closet, urinal, bathtub, lavatory, shower, floor drain, sink, dishwasher, drinking fountain, hose bibb, garbage disposal, bidet, fuel oil piping, and gas piping (new install for fuel and gas piping otherwise mechanical) (each): $20.
(b) 
Washing machine: $40.
(c) 
LP gas tank, water heater electric and gas (new install for gas otherwise mechanical) (each): $75.
(d) 
Interceptor/separator, fixture pump, backflow preventer, water-cooled or A/C refrigeration unit (new install for A/C otherwise mechanical), and active solar system (each): $75.
(e) 
Sewer connection, water service connection, stacks (each): $75.
(f) 
Grease trap: $75.
(g) 
Sewer pump: $75.
(h) 
Boiler (new install otherwise mechanical) (each): $75.
(i) 
Fireplace logs: $75.
(j) 
Generator (new install otherwise mechanical): $75.
(k) 
Furnace (new install otherwise mechanical): $75.
(l) 
Heating system venting (new install otherwise mechanical): $75.
(3) 
Mechanical subcode fees, as provided for in this chapter, shall be a minimum fee of $75 for all residential structures and a minimum fee of $150 for all commercial structures. These fees shall be in addition to the fees, which are set forth in the subsections of this section, for the specific work proposed.
(a) 
Boiler replacement: $75.
(b) 
Condensing unit replacement/air handler: $75.
(c) 
Duct system: $75.
(d) 
Fireplace logs: $75.
(e) 
Furnace: $75.
(f) 
Fuel oil piping (each): $20.
(g) 
Gas piping (each): $20.
(h) 
Generator: $75.
(i) 
Heating system venting/chimney liners: $75.
(j) 
Water heater (gas): $75.
(4) 
Electric subcode fees, as provided for in this chapter, shall be a minimum fee of $75 for all residential structures and a minimum fee of $150 for all commercial structures. These fees shall be in addition to the fees, which are set forth in the subsections of this section, for the specific work proposed.
(a) 
Rough and final wiring (one to 50) outlets including switching, lighting and receptacle outlets, detectors, light poles, fractional HP motors, emergency and exit lights, communication points, alarm devices: $75; each additional 25 outlets: $30.
(b) 
Range/oven: $40.
(c) 
Dryer, electric: $40.
(d) 
Water beater, electric: $75.
(e) 
Heating, electric, baseboard, space beater, air handler: $40.
(f) 
Furnace (all fuels), boiler (all fuels), residential central HVAC, solar heat: $40.
(g) 
Dishwasher, garbage disposal: $40.
(h) 
Pools:
[1] 
Pool with UW lights: $75.
[2] 
Storable pool/spa/hot tub: $75.
[3] 
Pool and patio bonding: $75.
(i) 
Service panels, entrances, subpanels:
[1] 
Up to 100 amps: $100.
[2] 
One hundred fifty amps to 400 amps: $200.
[3] 
Larger than 400 amps: $300.
(j) 
Temporary service:
[1] 
Residential: $150.
[2] 
Commercial: $300.
(k) 
Each HVAC unit, air conditioner, condensing unit, HP motor 1/+ HP, generator, AMP motor control center, power transformer, compressor, electric sign, transfer switch.
[1] 
Up to 20 hp or kilowatts: $75.
[2] 
Over 20 to 40 hp or kilowatts: $100.
[3] 
Over 40 to 75 hp or kilowatts: $150.
[4] 
Greater than 75 hp or kilowatts: $200.
(l) 
Load management device on all new residential and commercial central air-conditioning unit installations: A load management device shall be included as part of the installation. The application/inspection fee for this device shall be $60.
(m) 
Solar panels:
[1] 
Up to 20 panels: $75.
[2] 
Each additional 10 panels: $40.
[3] 
Transfer switch: $75.
(5) 
Fire subcode fees, as provided for in this chapter, shall be a minimum fee of $75 for residential structures and a minimum fee of $150 for commercial structures. These fees shall be in addition to the fees, which are set forth in the subsections of this section, for the specific work proposed.
(a) 
Sprinklers:
Number of Heads
Fee
Up to 49
$200
Up to 99
$300
100 to 250
Additional $150
Over 250
$550
(b) 
Smoke, heat detectors, CO detectors, pulls, water/flow:
Quantity
Fee
1 to 10
$200
11 to 50 (each additional 10)
$20
Over 50 (each additional 10)
$20
Duct smoke detectors (each)
$60
(c) 
Pre-engineered systems which include CO2 suppression, halon suppression, foam suppression, FM200 suppression, wet chemical and dry chemical (each): $200.
(d) 
Miscellaneous:
[1] 
Stand pipes (each): $200.
[2] 
Kitchen hood exhaust system (each): $200.
[3] 
Incinerators (each): $100.
[4] 
Crematoriums (each): $100.
[5] 
Gas- and oil-fired appliances (new install only) (each): $75.
[6] 
Installation of underground storage tank:
[a] 
Use Group R5 (each): $75.
[b] 
All other use groups (each): $150.
[7] 
Installation of aboveground storage tank:
[a] 
Up to 5,000 gallons (each): $200.
[b] 
Over 5,000 gallons (each): $300.
[8] 
Fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, etc.: $75.
[9] 
Smoke control systems: $200.
[10] 
Exit signs and emergency light with battery backup, etc. (per fixture): $20.
[11] 
Chimney liners: $75 each.
(6) 
Elevator subcode fees, as provided for in this chapter, shall be a minimum fee of $200. The fees for elevator testing and inspection shall be as published in the current edition of the Uniform Construction Code 5:23-12.5.
(7) 
Certificate fees:
(a) 
For a certificate of occupancy (CO) indicating that construction authorized by a construction permit is completed in accordance with the approved plans and the Uniform Construction Code regulations. A certificate of occupancy is required when there are two or more subcodes and one of the subcodes is building. Prepayment at the time of issuing the construction permit is required: 10% of the total of all subcode fees; minimum fee: $50.
(b) 
For a certificate of approval: $40.
(c) 
For a temporary certificate of occupancy: $50.
(d) 
For a certificate of continued occupancy (CCO) pursuant to a change of use: fee is not refundable.
[1] 
Resale residential: $125
[2] 
Business sale: $200 for less than 10,000 square feet/$250 for over 10,000 square feet.
[3] 
New tenant commercial: $125.
(8) 
Reinstatement of a lapsed construction permit:
(a) 
Recalculation of the construction permit shall be required utilizing the most current Building Department fee schedule applied to all work which is to be performed.
(b) 
The reinstatement fee shall be 25% of the recalculated value.
(c) 
Minimum reinstatement fee: $75.
(9) 
Change of contractor fee: $25 per subcode.
(10) 
Annual construction permit:
(a) 
The fee for an annual construction permit shall be paid annually. This fee shall be first fee based on the number of maintenance workers who are employed by the facility, and who are primarily engaged in work that is governed by a subcode.
(b) 
Fees shall be as follows:
Number of Workers
Fee (per worker)
1 to 25
$650
Over 25
$350
Training fee per subcode
$150
Backflow preventer annual inspection
$150
Grease trap annual inspection
$150
(11) 
Application to the Construction Board of Appeals: $100.
(12) 
Application for a variation: $50.
(13) 
Exemption from fees. Any religious, charitable, benevolent, fraternal or nonprofit association, corporation, or organization shall be exempt from the payment of fees under this chapter. DCA state fees may be required.
(14) 
The Construction Official shall, on or before February 10 of each year, with the advice of the subcode officials and in consultation with the Municipal Finance Officer, prepare and submit to the governing body a report recommending a fee schedule based on the operating expenses of the agency.
(15) 
In order to provide for the certification and technical support programs required by Uniform Construction Code, the enforcing agency shall collect, in addition to the fees specified above, a surcharge fee computed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.19. Said surcharge fees shall be remitted to the Bureau of Housing Inspection, Department of Community Affairs, on a quarterly basis for the fiscal quarters ending September 30, December 31, March 31 and June 30, and no later than one month next succeeding the end of the quarter for which it is due.
(16) 
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 for the third and fourth quarters only.
(17) 
Fees for any other permits not specifically set forth herein shall be as established by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs pursuant to the Uniform Construction Code Act,[1] its amendments and supplements. An additional fee shall be paid by the applicant when plans of a special design are filed with the Borough of Park Ridge and the determination of the Construction Code Official is that said plan shall be forwarded for review to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Trenton, New Jersey, or a state-approved private firm. The fee charged for such review shall be deducted from any other fees required by this chapter or any other municipal ordinance.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.
D. 
The Construction Official shall, on or before February 10, of each year, with the advice of the subcode officials and in consultation with the Municipal Finance Officer, prepare and submit to the governing body a report recommending a fee schedule based on the operating expenses of the agency.
E. 
In order to provide for the certification and technical programs required by the Uniform Construction Code, the Borough shall collect, in addition to the fees specified above, a New Jersey state permit surcharge fee for all construction based on value and volume in accordance with the latest amendments to the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.19). Said fees 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 no later than one month next succeeding the end of the quarter for which it is due.
F. 
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 for the third and fourth quarters only.
G. 
Fees for any other permits not specifically set forth herein shall be as established by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs pursuant to the Uniform Construction Code Act, its amendments and supplements.
[Amended 4-18-1977 by Ord. No. 77-7]
An additional fee shall be paid by the applicant when plans of a special design are filed with the Borough of Park Ridge and the determination of the Construction Code Official is that said plan shall be forwarded for review to the BOCA office in Chicago, Illinois, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Trenton, New Jersey, or a state-approved private firm. The fee charged for such review shall be deducted from any other fees required by this chapter or any other municipal ordinance.
All plans must be prepared by either an architect or engineer licensed in the State of New Jersey. Each page of the plans must bear his seal and signature. Owners may prepare plans for their own dwelling or a secondary structure thereto, e.g., a garage; however, these plans must be accompanied by an affidavit.
[Added 12-27-1979 by Ord. No. 79-19]
A. 
Pursuant to the authority of the State Uniform Construction Code Act (P.L. 1975, c. 217), the Borough of Park Ridge adopted on December 30, 1976, the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code as constituting the construction standards and regulations within the Borough of Park Ridge.
B. 
Said New Jersey Uniform Construction Code shall be incorporated in this chapter by reference and made a part hereof as though it had been set forth herein at length.
C. 
Copies of said Uniform Construction Code have been placed on file in the office of the Borough Clerk and in the Construction Code Office and shall remain on file for use and examination by the public so long as this chapter shall remain in effect.
[Added 7-10-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-18]
Any addition or development to an existing structure which is equal to or greater than 25% of the existing primary dwelling and structure shall comply with the following provisions:
A. 
The owner of the property shall provide the cut and fill calculations for all soil that is moved.
B. 
A soil moving permit will be required if 50 or more cubic yards is disturbed by the addition or development. If 300 or more cubic yards is to be distributed, then a soil moving application must be submitted which sets forth the amount of soil disturbed, the amount to be moved on site and the amount to be exported from the site.
C. 
The owner must provide a site plan showing all topographic features of the property as they existed before the addition or development.
D. 
If the property has a slope which is equal to or greater than 10% or a six-foot grade change, the topographic changes must be shown on a plan prepared by a licensed professional, and the existing and proposed contours or grades must be clearly set forth on the plan.
E. 
All stormwater, based upon a twenty-five-year storm event, must be retained on the property. The owner must provide drainage calculations and design for the entire structure, including calculations for existing drainage and calculations for the proposed drainage, all of which must be signed by a licensed professional.
F. 
All roof leaders from existing and proposed roofs shall be directed into seepage pits, and those pits must be included in the drainage calculations, including the overflow from those pits.
G. 
An engineering escrow, in the amount of $1,500, must be posted for review of the drainage calculations, topographic features, and the proposed design and inspection of the addition or development by the Borough Engineer prior to any permit being issued.
[Amended 2-24-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-04]
H. 
In exceptional circumstances, the Construction Code Official may require additional escrows for engineering review based upon the circumstances of the addition or development.