[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Union 12-28-1976 by Ord. No. 3156-A (Ch. 237 of the 2004 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
There is hereby established in the Township of Union in the County of Union a State Uniform Construction Code enforcing agency to be known as "Township of Union Construction Code Agency," consisting of a Construction Code Official, Building Subcode Official, Plumbing 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 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 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.
A. 
There is hereby established a Construction Board of Appeals to hear appeals from decisions by the enforcing agency. Such Board shall consist of five members. At least one Board member shall be a registered architect or licensed professional engineer of building construction experience, and at least one Board member shall be as qualified as a plumbing subcode official and one as qualified as an electrical subcode official. No more than two Board members shall be selected from the same business or profession. Each Board member shall have had at least three years' experience in construction, design or supervision as a licensed engineer or registered architect or, in the alternative, five years' experience in construction, design or supervision as an architect or engineer with a bachelor's degree in architecture or engineering, respectively, from an accredited institution of higher education or, as a further alternative, 10 years' experience in construction, design or supervision as a journeyman in a construction trade or as a construction contractor, subcontractor or inspector.
B. 
The Township Committee shall appoint the Board members and any alternate members. For the members first appointed, the Township Committee shall designate the appointees' terms so that one shall be appointed for a term of one year, one for a term of two years, one for a term of three years and two for a term of four years. At the expiration of such terms and thereafter, appointments shall be made for terms of four years. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term.
C. 
Alternates.
(1) 
The Township Committee shall appoint such number of alternates as may be appropriate, for terms not to exceed four years, or may, in the alternative, appoint alternates on a case-by-case basis.
(2) 
No regular or alternate Board member may be a member of the enforcing agency, the decisions of which are subject to the review of the Board.
D. 
Members of the aforesaid Board of Appeals and alternates thereto shall not be compensated.
[Amended 7-12-1977 by Ord. No. 3218; 12-27-1977 by Ord. No. 3257; 4-10-1979 by Ord. No. 3364; 6-9-1981 by Ord. No. 3519; 9-11-1984 by Ord. No. 3751; 9-25-1984 by Ord. No. 3757; 4-28-1987 by Ord. No. 3901; 12-27-1988 by Ord. No. 4000; 2-28-1989 by Ord. No. 4009; 2-28-1989 by Ord. No. 4010; 4-10-1990 by Ord. No. 4082; 6-26-1990 by Ord. No. 4097; 9-11-1990 by Ord. No. 4114; 6-19-1992 by Ord. No. 4190; 8-11-1992 by Ord. No. 4211; 1-27-1998 by Ord. No. 4533; 2-10-1998 by Ord. No. 4534; 4-10-2001 by Ord. No. 4675; 2-26-2002 by Ord. No. 4706; 5-24-2016 by Ord. No. 5375; 2-28-2023 by Ord. No. 5755; 4-23-2024 by Ord. No. 5811]
The basic construction fee shall be the sum of the parts computed on the basis of volume or cost of construction, building, plumbing, electrical and fire protection fees listed herein. The minimum fee for a basic construction fee for building, plumbing and fire shall be $100.
A. 
Uniform Construction Code fees shall be as follows:
(1) 
Uniform Construction Code municipal enforcing fees shall be as follows:
(a) 
The fee for plan review shall be 25% 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 volume or cost of construction, plumbing, electrical and fire protection fees as listed herein. The minimum fee for a basic construction fee for building, plumbing and fire shall be $100.
(c) 
Change of contractor fee: $75.
(2) 
New structure fees shall be as follows:
(a) 
Use Groups B, H, I-1, I-2, I-3, M, E, R-2, R-5 and U:
Volume of Building _____ Cubic Feet X 0.045 = $
(Volume Fee)
(b) 
Use Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, F-1, F-2, S-1, and S-2:
Volume of Building _____ Cubic Feet X 0.050 = $
(Volume Fee)
(c) 
Commercial farm buildings; maximum fee not to exceed $1,000:
Volume of Building _____ Cubic Feet X .008 = $
(Volume Fee)
(3) 
Renovations, alterations, repair and minor work fees. The applicant shall submit cost data by architect or engineer of record, a recognized estimating firm or by contractor bid. The agency shall make the final decision regarding estimated cost.
(a) 
Estimated cost up to and including $50,000: $40 per $1,000.
(b) 
Portion of cost from $50,000 to and including $100,000: $35 per $1,000.
(c) 
Portion of cost above $100,000: $30 per $1,000.
(4) 
Pools.
(a) 
The fee for aboveground pools shall be $200.
(b) 
The fee for in-ground pools shall be $300.
(5) 
The fee for roofing and siding for Use Groups R-5 shall be $100.
(6) 
The fee for an open tower structure up to and including 30 feet in height shall be $200.
(7) 
The fee for an open structure over 30 feet in height shall be $300.
(8) 
The fee for tank abatement or removal shall be as follows: $250.
(9) 
The fee for demolition shall be as follows:
(a) 
Residential: $325.
(b) 
Commercial: $525.
(10) 
The fee for asbestos abatement shall be $100, plus the certificate of occupancy fee on asbestos of $100.
(11) 
The fee for signs shall be $2.50 per square foot, with a minimum fee of $100.
(12) 
The fee for certificates of occupancy shall be as follows:
(a) 
Residential: $100.
(b) 
Commercial: $200.
(13) 
The fee for certificates of continued occupancy shall be as follows:
(a) 
Residential: $175; reinspection: $80.
(b) 
Commercial: $275.
(14) 
The fee for an application for a variation in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.10 shall be $350 for Class I structures and $150 for Class II and Class III structures. The fee for resubmission of an application for a variation for all structures shall be $100.
(15) 
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 as follows:
(a) 
Use Groups R-3, R-4 and light commercial structures having an indoor temperature controlled from a single point is $125.
(b) 
All other structures are $1,000.
(16) 
Plumbing fixtures and equipment fees shall be as follows:
(a) 
Fixtures are $30 each; minimum $80.
(b) 
Water heaters are $80.
(c) 
The fee shall be $95 per special device for grease traps, oil separators, refrigeration units, commercial back flow preventors, steam boilers, hot-water boilers (excluding those for domestic water heating), active solar systems, sewer pumps, interceptors and heating and cooling units in ductwork.
(d) 
Residential backflow preventor fees and vacuum breakers are $85.
(e) 
Annual backflow inspection is $200.
(f) 
Service connections are $150.
(g) 
Furnaces, boilers, air conditioning: $100.
(h) 
Fuel oil piping for commercial is $150 and for residential is $100.
(i) 
Unit heaters are $100.
(j) 
Sewer connections are $175.
(k) 
Gas piping is $35 per fixture connected thereto.
(l) 
Automatic rain sensor for commercial is $150 and for residential is $100.
(m) 
Sewer capping: $150.
(n) 
Garbage disposal: $40.
(o) 
Sump pump: $95.
(17) 
Fire protection fees are as follows:
(a) 
Sprinkler systems:
[1] 
One to 20 sprinkler heads: $200.
[2] 
Twenty-one to 100 heads: $300.
[3] 
One hundred one to 200 heads: $400.
[4] 
Two hundred one to 400 heads: $600.
[5] 
Four hundred one to 1,000 heads: $900.
[6] 
Over 1,000 heads: $1,200.
(b) 
Fire alarm devices per building, including fire alarm panels, annunciators, heat detectors, manual pull stations, bells, horns, strobes or any other devices of a fire alarm system:
[1] 
One to 20 devices: $140.
[2] 
Twenty-one to 100 devices: $250.
[3] 
One hundred one to 200 devices: $475.
[4] 
Two hundred one to 400 devices: $650.
[5] 
Four hundred one to 1,000 devices: $800.
[6] 
Over 1,000 devices: $1,005.
(c) 
Standpipe system riser is $300.
(d) 
Privately owned fire hydrants are $200.
(e) 
Gas or oil-fired appliances not connected to a plumbing system are $85.
(f) 
Special suppression systems are $100.
(g) 
Commercial kitchen exhaust systems are $200.
(h) 
Incinerators and crematoriums are $400.
(i) 
Emergency smoke evacuation systems are $150.
(j) 
Fire pumps are $200.
(k) 
Solar panels:
[1] 
Residential: $100.
[2] 
Commercial: $200.
(18) 
State training and certification fees (current fees pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.19):
(a) 
New structures are the volume of the structure x $0.0016.
(b) 
Alterations (including asbestos abatement) are $0.80 per $1,000.
(19) 
Zoning permits (fences, driveways, sheds, etc.): $100.
(20) 
Zoning letters (zoning classifications, rebuild, etc.): $125.
B. 
The fee for a permit for the removal of a building or structure from one lot to another or to a new location on the same lot shall be $5 per $1,000 of the sum of the estimated costs for moving, for new foundations and for placement in a completed condition in the new location, provided that the minimum fee shall be $25.
C. 
Electrical subcode fees schedule.
(1) 
For the purpose of computing this fee, the term "receptacles," "fixtures" or "switches" shall include lighting outlets, smoke detectors, heat detectors, fluorescent fixtures, pool bonding, burglar alarm devices, intercom devices, thermostats, telephone outlets, CRT outlets and light standards.
Number of Outlets and Devices
Fee
1 to 50
$85
Each additional 25
$45
(2) 
For the purpose of computing this fee, the term "service panel" shall include service conductors, feeders, switches, switchboards and panel boards. The second meter is extra.
Type
Fee
0 to 399 amps
$100
400 to 1,000 amps
$250
1,001 and up
$550
(3) 
Construction pole service or temp pole service: $200.
(4) 
KVA transformers or generators.
Type
Fee
1 KW to 10 KW
$20
11 KW to 45 KW
$46
46 KW to 112.5 KW
$100
113 KW and up
$550
(5) 
For the purpose of computing these fees, all motors, except those in plug-in appliances, shall be counted, including control equipment, generators, transformers and all heating, cooking or other devices consuming or generating electrical current.
Type
Fee
1 HP to 10 HP
$30
11 HP to 50 HP
$55
(6) 
Air conditioners.
Type
Fee
Residential
$30
Commercial
$40
(7) 
Pools:
(a) 
In-ground pools: $50.
(b) 
Aboveground: $36.
(c) 
Storable Pool/Spa/Hot tub: $30.
(8) 
Other items.
Type
Fee
Each of the following items listed below:
Electrical heater, heat pump, electric dryer, range, surface units - cook top, hot-water heater, oven, dishwasher, gas and oil heaters and commercial exhaust fans
$30
(9) 
Air handlers.
(a) 
Residential: $30.
(b) 
Commercial: $40.
(10) 
Photovoltaic systems.
(a) 
One to 50 KW: $100.
(b) 
Fifty-one to 100 KW: $250.
(c) 
Greater than 100 KW: $500.
(11) 
Sign/Outline Light: $30.
(12) 
Radon remediation: $100.
(13) 
Baseboard heat: $40.
(14) 
HP Motors 1/HP:
(a) 
1 HP to 10 HP: $30.
(b) 
11 HP to 50HP: $55.
(15) 
Annual pool inspections: $100.
D. 
The Construction Code Official shall, with the advice of the subcode officials, prepare and submit to the Township Committee, 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.
E. 
Elevator installation and inspection.
(1) 
Plan review fees.
(a) 
The fee for plan review for elevator devices in structures in Use Groups R-3, R-4 and for elevator devices wholly within dwelling units in R-2 structures shall be $50 for each device.
(b) 
The fee for plan review for elevator devices in structures in use groups other than R-3, R-4 and devices in R-2 structures exempted by Subsection E(1)(a) above shall be $260 for each device.
(2) 
Test and inspection fees.
(a) 
The Department fees for witnessing acceptance tests and performing inspections shall be as follows:
[1] 
The basic fees for elevator devices in structures not in Use Group R-3 or R-4 shall be as follows:
[a] 
Traction and winding drum elevators: one to 10 floors, $243; over 10 floors, $405.
[b] 
Hydraulic elevators: $216.
[c] 
Roped hydraulic elevators: $243.
[d] 
Escalators, moving walks: $216.
[e] 
Dumbwaiters: $54.
[f] 
Stairways, chair lifts, inclined and vertical wheelchair lifts and man lifts: $54.
[2] 
Additional charges for devices equipped with the following features shall be as follows:
[a] 
Oil buffers (charge per oil buffer): $43.
[b] 
Counterweight governor and safeties: $108.
[c] 
Auxiliary power generator: $81.
[3] 
The Department fee for elevator devices in structures in Use Group R-3 or R-4 shall be $162. This fee shall be waived when signed statements and supporting inspection and acceptance test reports are filed by an approved qualified agent or agency in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.19 and 5:23-2.20.
[4] 
The fee for performing inspections of minor work shall be $54.
(b) 
The Department fees for routine and periodic tests and inspections for elevator devices in structures not in Use Group R-3 or R-4, or otherwise exempt devices in R-2 structures, shall be as follows:
[1] 
The fee for the six-month routine inspection of elevator devices shall be as follows:
[a] 
Traction and winding drum elevators: one to 10 floors: $151; over 10 floors: $194.
[b] 
Hydraulic elevators: $108.
[c] 
Roped hydraulic elevators: $151.
[d] 
Escalators, moving walks: $151.
[2] 
The fee for the one-year period inspection and witnessing of tests of elevator devices, which shall include a six-month routine inspection, shall be as follows:
[a] 
Traction and winding drum elevators: One to 10 floors: $216; over 10 floors: $259.
[b] 
Hydraulic elevators: $162.
[c] 
Roped hydraulic elevators: $216.
[d] 
Escalators, moving walks: $346.
[e] 
Dumbwaiters: $86.
[f] 
Man lifts, stairway chair lifts, inclined and vertical wheelchair lifts: $130.
[3] 
Additional yearly periodic inspection charges for elevator devices equipped with the following features shall be as follows:
[a] 
Oil buffers (charge per oil buffer): $43.
[b] 
Counterweight governor and safeties: $86.
[c] 
Auxiliary power generator: $54.
[4] 
The fee for the three-year or five-year inspection of elevator devices shall be as follows:
[a] 
Traction and winding drum elevators: one to 10 floors (five-year inspection): $367; over 10 floors (five-year inspection): $410.
[b] 
Hydraulic and roped hydraulic elevators: three-year inspection: $270; five-year inspection: $162.
(c) 
When the Department is the enforcing agency, the fees set forth in Subsection E(2)(b) above shall be paid annually in accordance with the following schedule, which is based on the average of the fees to be collected over a five-year period:
[1] 
Basic annual fee shall be as follows:
[a] 
Traction and winding drum elevators: one to 10 floors: $400; over 10 floors: $486.
[b] 
Hydraulic elevators: $292.
[c] 
Roped hydraulic elevators: $324.
[d] 
Escalators, moving walks: $497.
[e] 
Dumbwaiters: $86.
[f] 
Stairway chair lifts, inclined and vertical wheelchair lifts, man lifts: $130.
[2] 
Additional charges for devices equipped with the following features shall be as follows:
[a] 
Oil buffers (charge per oil buffer): $43.
[b] 
Counterweight governor and safeties: $86.
[c] 
Auxiliary power generator: $54.
[3] 
Annual fee for inspections at seasonal facilities shall be as follows:
[a] 
Traction and winding drum elevators: one to 10 floors: $246; over 10 floors: $289.
[b] 
Hydraulic elevators: $184.
[c] 
Roped hydraulic elevators: $216.
[d] 
Escalators, moving walks: $346.
[e] 
Dumbwaiters: $86.
[f] 
Stairway chair lifts, inclined and vertical wheelchair lifts, man lifts: $130.
[4] 
Additional charges for devices equipped with the following features shall be as follows:
[a] 
Oil buffers (charge per oil buffer): $43.
[b] 
Counterweight governor and safeties: $86.
[c] 
Auxiliary power generator: $54.
(3) 
Licensing.
(a) 
All elevator subcode officials and inspectors shall be licensed according to N.J.A.C. 5:23-5.5.
(b) 
Any person aggrieved by any decision of the Department under these rules shall be entitled to a hearing pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-5.2.
(c) 
A licensed elevator subcode official or inspector shall be responsible for completing any continuing educational requirements imposed by the Department pursuant to this chapter prior to license renewal pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-5.
(4) 
Alterations, replacements, damages, increases in size, changes in use group and ordinary repairs.
(a) 
In complying with this chapter, calculations concerning alterations, replacements, damages, increases in size and changes in use groups, in N.J.A.C. 5:23-2, shall be performed using data for entire structures. The alteration provisions applicable to the whole structure and/or calculations in N.J.A.C. 5:23-2 shall not be applied to individual elevator devices.
(b) 
For purposes of this section, "alteration of an elevator device" means any change to equipment other than minor work and ordinary repair, as defined in N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.17A and 5:23-9.3. When work that includes the alteration of an elevator device has a total cost of less than 50% of the physical value of the building, the alteration of the elevator device shall comply only with the applicable requirements of Part XII (Alterations, Repairs, Replacements and Maintenance) of the most recent edition of ASME A17.1 referenced in the building subcode.
A. 
In order to provide for the training, certification and technical support programs required by the Uniform Construction Code Act and the regulations,[1] the enforcing agency shall collect, in addition to the fees specified above, a surcharge fee of $0.0016 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.
[Amended 2-10-1998 by Ord. No. 4534]
[1]
Editor's Note: "The regulations" refer to the regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs of the State of New Jersey pursuant to the Uniform Construction Code Act (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.).
B. 
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.
[Added 7-12-1977 by Ord. No. 3218]
A. 
The following fire limits are established pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23, namely, all areas now or hereafter zoned as Business BA, BB and BC Zones, and all Industrial Zones located in the Township of Union in the County of Union, and any and all property now or hereafter to be used for an industrial or business use, whether by reason of an exception or a variance to the local Zoning Ordinance, or an amendment of said ordinance or otherwise.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 170, Land Development, Part 3, Zoning.
B. 
The Construction Code Official shall prepare and submit to the Township Committee, biannually, a report reevaluating the delineation of the fire limits. This report shall indicate the recommendations of the Construction Code 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.