Editor's Note: The State of New Jersey has adopted a State Uniform Construction Code Act (N.J.S. 52:27D-119 et seq.) which supersedes all municipal construction codes. The Act authorized the State Department of Community Affairs to promulgate rules and regulations in regard to this matter. These rules and regulations can be found in New Jersey Administrative Code 5:23-1 et seq. In the 1966 Code these provisions were numbered as 7A. In this new recodification, we are renumbering it to Title VII.
[R.O. 1966 C.S. § 7A:1-1]
There is hereby and herewith enacted the State Uniform Construction Code.
[R.O. 1966 C.S. 7A:1-2; Ord. 6 S+FA, 2-5-1986 § 1; Ord. 6 S+FA, 3-10-1995]
There is hereby established in the City, a State Uniform Construction Code Enforcing Agency, consisting of a Construction Official, Building Subcode Official, Electrical Subcode Official, Fire Protection Subcode Official, and such other subcode officials for such additional subcodes as the Commissioner of the New Jersey 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.
a. 
Construction Official. There is hereby created a new title position, that of "Construction Official," who shall be the Chief Administrator of the Enforcing Agency, and he/she shall be certified by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs as provided in those regulations.
b. 
Subcode Officials. The following Subcode Officials shall constitute the remainder of the Enforcing Agency: Superintendent of Buildings, Chief Plumbing Inspector, Chief Electrical Inspector, and officer in charge of the Division of Fire Prevention and Life Safety, or their assistants. The Subcode Officials, as provided in this Title, shall be certified as provided in the rules and regulations promulgated by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
c. 
Assistants and Trainees. Additional positions are established in the Department of Engineering of assistants and trainees, who shall be certified by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs according to their rules and regulations. Others are to be assigned from other municipal departments, and shall likewise be certified as required by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. For the purpose of this section, such dispersed personnel when assigned to the Enforcing Agency are subject to the procedures and policies of the Enforcing Agency exclusively.
Nothing shall prevent one person from serving in more than one position for which he/she is certified and qualified, provided that such person is qualified pursuant to N.J.S. 52:27D-119 et seq., and N.J.A.C. 5:23.
However, each Subcode Official shall have exclusive decision-making authority with respect to the technical provisions of the appropriate Subcode.
[R.O. 1966 C.S. § 7A:1-3]
Each official position created in Section 7:1-2 hereof shall be filled by a person qualified for such position pursuant to State law; provided that, in lieu of any particular subcode official, an onsite inspection agency may be retained by contract pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23.
[R.O. 1966 C.S. § 7A:1-4]
The Construction Official shall serve as the Chief Administrator of the Enforcing Agency. He/she shall establish the day to day operating routines of the Agency.
Subcode Officials shall enforce the provisions of those Subcodes for which they are responsible, in accordance with the appropriate rules and regulations, for which they have been appointed. Each Subcode Official shall be responsible for the administration and enforcement of the appropriate Subcode, subject to the direction of the Construction Official.
[R.O. 1966 C.S. § 7A:1-5]
There shall be maintained a Central Permit Office at 920 Broad Street (City Hall) under the direction and supervision of the Construction Official. This office shall receive applications for construction permits and plan review, issue construction permits, certificates of occupancy, collect fees and issue notices and orders. The office shall be open during normal business hours.
[R.O. 1966 C.S. § 7A:1-6]
The Construction Official or his designee shall:
a. 
Provide that applications are available, and assist the public in preparing the applications, whenever necessary.
b. 
Upon receipt of the application, the Construction Official shall review the application and determine the proper fee for the work required.
c. 
Collect all fees and penalties and insure that funds are properly accounted for.
d. 
Review all applications for completeness as to form and for verification of prior approvals. He/she may request additional documentation concerning prior approvals whenever it is deemed necessary.
e. 
Ensure that the proper Subcode Official shall have an adequate time period to review appropriate applications, plans, and specifications.
f. 
Ensure that all requests for variation are properly prepared, documented, and referred to the appropriate Subcode Officials.
g. 
Issue the construction permit upon reviewing the approval of all appropriate Subcode Officials.
h. 
Record all notices of violations upon receiving notification of the appropriate Subcode Official, and shall determine all penalties for non-compliance with the penalty notices.
i. 
Ensure that all required inspections are scheduled and performed.
j. 
Ensure that the reports of all inspections are completed and properly filed.
k. 
Record stop work orders, upon notification of the appropriate Subcode Official.
l. 
Ensure that all final inspections have been completed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
m. 
Issue the certificate of occupancy upon receiving the approval of all appropriate Subcode Officials.
n. 
Ensure, in the case of a change of use, or upon a request for a new certificate of occupancy, that each Subcode Official gives an approval based on an inspection and the review of all submitted data before issuing a new certificate of occupancy.
o. 
Prepare and obtain reports required in regulations.
p. 
Nothing contained herein shall prevent the Construction Official from overruling a decision of a Subcode Official if he/she is qualified and certified in that Subcode pursuant to Part IV of the Regulations (Title 5, Chapter 23 of the New Jersey Administrative Code).
[R.O. 1966 C.S. § 7A:1-7]
The Subcode Officials shall:
a. 
Review those aspects of the applications, plans, and specifications appropriate to his/her Subcode for approval and release to the Construction Official for issuance of the permit.
b. 
Receive and review directly from the applicant applications for minor emergency work for approval and release to the Construction Official for issuance of the permit.
c. 
Comply with the time limitations for review as determined by the Construction Official.
d. 
Review requests for variations as necessary.
e. 
Perform all required inspections.
f. 
Issue in the name of the Enforcing Agency notices of violation and notify the Construction Official of same. The Subcode Official may issue verbal orders at the job site and shall record such orders in his inspection report.
g. 
Complete reports of all inspections performed.
h. 
Issue stop work orders in the name of the Enforcing Agency and notify the Construction Official of same.
i. 
Perform final inspection and notify Construction Official of approval in order that he may issue certificates of occupancy.
j. 
Make inspections, review submitted data, and notify the Construction Official of approval in the case of change of use, or a request for a new certificate of occupancy.
k. 
Assist the Construction Official in the preparation of all reports required in regulations.
l. 
Attend meetings and hearings as required by the regulations.
m. 
Issue documentation and certification, such as cut-in cards or utilities and/or public agencies if required by the Code, the Commissioner and by law.