[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of New Hanover 4-12-1977 by Ord. No. 1977-2 (Ch. IX of the 1974 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
There is hereby established in the Township a State Uniform Construction Code Enforcement Agency, to be known as the "Department of Inspection," consisting of a Construction Official, Building Subcode Official, Electrical Subcode Official, Fire Protection Subcode Official, Plumbing 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 shall be filled by a qualified person 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 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. 
The public shall have the right to do business with the enforcing agency at the New Hanover Township Municipal Building, Cookstown, New Hanover Township, New Jersey, except for:
[Amended 11-10-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-05]
(1) 
Emergency and unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances; or
(2) 
Where the Township enters into a shared service agreement for the administration of the enforcing agency by a neighboring municipality, in which case business with the enforcing agency may be at the administrative offices of the neighboring municipality.
[Amended 11-10-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-05[1]]
A. 
General.
(1) 
The fee for plan review shall be paid at the time of submission of an application for a permit. The amount of this fee shall be deducted from the amount of the fee due for a construction permit, when and if 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 basic construction fee computed in accordance with Subsection C below, plus any 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.
(4) 
The fee to be charged for an annual construction permit shall be charged annually. This fee shall be administered in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.18(a)4 and 5:23-4.18(a)5.
(5) 
No person shall be charged a construction permit surcharge fee or enforcing agency fee for any construction, reconstruction, alteration or improvement designed and undertaken solely to promote accessibility by disabled persons to an existing private structure or any of the facilities contained therein. A disabled person or a parent or sibling of a disabled person shall not be required to pay any municipal fee or charge in order to secure a construction permit for any construction, reconstruction alteration or improvement which promotes accessibility to the person's own living unit. For the purpose of this section, "disabled person" means a person who has the total and permanent inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment, including blindness, and shall include, but not be limited to, any resident of the State of New Jersey who is disabled pursuant to the federal Social Security Act and as outlined in N.J.S.A. 52:27D-126e.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
B. 
Plan review fees. Plan review fees are computed as a percentage of the amount to be charged for a construction permit.
C. 
Basic construction fee. The basic construction fee is computed on the basis of the volume of a building, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.28 or, in the case of alterations, the estimated construction cost and the number and type of plumbing, electrical and fire protection fixtures or devices as herein provided.
(1) 
Volume or cost. Fees for new construction or alterations shall be as follows:
(a) 
Fees for renovations, alterations, reroofing and repairs, and for the installation and foundation systems of premanufactured construction and the external utility connections for premanufactured construction,\ shall be based upon the estimated cost of the work. The fee is computed as a unit rate per $1,000 of estimated cost.
(b) 
Fees for renovations, alterations and repairs are based upon the estimated cost of the work. The fee is computed as a unit rate per $1,000 of estimated cost.
(c) 
Fees for additions are computed on the same basis as for new construction for the added portion.
(d) 
Fees for combination renovations and additions shall be computed as the sum of the fees for the addition and alteration computed separately in accordance with Subsection C(1)(b) and (c) above.
(e) 
The unit rates vary for different occupancy groups.
(f) 
Temporary structures and all structures for which volume cannot be computed, such as swimming pools and open structural towers, are charged a flat rate.
(g) 
Fees for minor construction work are based upon the estimated cost of the work. The fee is computed as a unit rate per $1,000 of estimated cost or fraction thereof.
(2) 
Plumbing fixtures and appurtenances. Fees are based upon the number of plumbing fixtures, devices, plumbing stacks and utility service connections to be installed. Utility service connections include sewer, water and gas service connections. The fee is a unit per device, stack and utility service connection. The unit rate varies for different types of fixtures and utility service connections.
(3) 
Electrical fixtures and devices. Fees are based upon the number of electrical fixtures and devices to be installed. The fee is a unit rate per fixture and device. The unit rate varies for different types of fixtures.
(4) 
Fire fees are based upon the number of sprinkler heads, standpipes and detectors (smoke and heat). Fees are also charged for the inspection of premanufactured fire suppression systems, for gas- and oil-fired appliances not connected to the plumbing system, for kitchen exhaust systems and for incinerators and crematoriums.
D. 
Demolition permit fees. Permit fees for demolition of or the removal of a building or structure is a flat fee. This fee varies according to type of structure and whether or not there has been a condemnation as set forth herein. This fee may be waived if the owner makes the structure available to the local Fire Department for training purposes and thereafter, within 48 hours of termination of use of the structure by the local Fire Department, has the structure razed. The local Fire Department shall indemnify and hold harmless the Township and the owner from any liability. No building debris or demolition material shall be permanently deposited on-site but all demolition material and debris shall be disposed of in accordance with applicable solid waste disposal laws and regulations.
E. 
Sign permit fees. The fee for a permit to construct a sign is a flat fee per sign.
F. 
Certificate of occupancy fees.
(1) 
The fee for a certificate of occupancy for new construction is computed as a percentage of the fee to be charged for the construction permit.
(2) 
The fees for certificates of continued occupancy, certificates of occupancy granted pursuant to a change of use, and for multiple certificates of occupancy are a flat fee.
(3) 
R-5 dwellings on permanent foundation systems shall submit proof that a private licensed home inspector has been retained and inspection completed. Such proof shall be completed and submitted to the Technical Assistant with the smoke detector application and fee of $75. For properties that no licensed home inspector has been retained and has been vacant for over 90 days a fee of $125 will be charged for a continued certificate of occupancy inspection. There will be a $25 fee charged for reinspections on both certificate of occupancy and continued certificates of occupancy.
G. 
Elevator fees. The fee for a permit to install an elevator or to inspect an elevator is a flat fee. The elevator subcode fees shall be the departmental fees as set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:23-12.6 for test and inspections and N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.20(c) 6 and 7 for plan review of elevator devices.
H. 
Whenever a permit is received based on an approved prototype plan, the permit shall be reduced by the amount of the plan review fee.
I. 
(Reserved)[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection I, regarding surcharge fees, of the 1992 Code, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II). See now § 82-3L(1).
J. 
All computed fees which would normally contain cents shall be rounded to the next highest even dollar amount.
K. 
Enforcing agency fees.
(1) 
Plan review fee. The fee for plan review shall be 20% of the amount to be charged for a new construction permit.
(2) 
The minimum fee for a basic construction permit covering any or all building, plumbing, electrical or fire protection work is $85.
(3) 
New structure fees:
(a) 
Use groups B, H, I-1, I-2, I-3, M, E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, U: $0.040 per cubic foot.
(b) 
Use groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, F-1, F-2, S-1: $0.030 per cubic foot.
(c) 
Use groups S-2 and commercial farm buildings: $0.010 per cubic foot, maximum fee not to exceed $1,000.
(4) 
Renovations, alterations, repair and minor work fees. The applicant shall submit cost data by the architect or engineer of record, a recognized estimating firm or by contractor bid. The Construction Official will review the construction costs for acceptability. The fees shall be:
(a) 
Estimated costs up to and including $50,000: $25 per $1,000 residential; $30 per $1,000 commercial.
(b) 
Portions of costs from $50,001 up to and including $100,000: additional fee of $20 per $1,000 residential; $25 per $1,000 commercial.
(c) 
Portion of costs above $100,000: additional fee of $15 residential; $20 commercial.
(5) 
Plumbing fees:
(a) 
The fee shall be $25 per fixture, vent or stack. For the purpose of computing this fee, "fixtures, vents or stacks" shall include, but are not limited to, water closets, urinals, bidets, lavatories, sinks, showers, floor drains, washing machines, dishwashers, residential water heaters, hose bibs, residential central air conditioning, indirect connections, residential solar systems, roof drains, storm drains, entrapment avoidance, leaders and gutters, nontestable backflows and appurtenances.
(b) 
The fee shall be $90 per special device. For purpose of computing this fee, "special device" shall include, but are not limited to, sewer injectors, grease traps, oil interceptors, backflow devices, pumps, boilers or furnaces, reduced pressure backflow devices, commercial/industrial water heaters, commercial/industrial water cooled air-conditioning units, commercial/industrial refrigeration systems and commercial/industrial solar systems and appurtenances.
(c) 
Cross-connections and backflow preventers that are subject to testing, requiring inspection annually: $75.
(d) 
The minimum fee for an inspection is $85.
(e) 
Lawn sprinkler flat fee: $55 (residential nontestable backflows and appurtences).
(f) 
The fee shall be $75 for single boiler hydronic piping for a single-family residence. For all other structures, the fee shall be $35 per floor of each structure.
(g) 
The fee shall be $60 per unit for commercial/industrial refrigeration piping.
(h) 
The fee shall be $85 per unit for commercial/industrial water cooled air conditioning.
(i) 
The fee shall be $135 for installation of piping on a commercial/industrial fuel oil tank.
(j) 
LP gas tanks shall be $85 (residential); minimum fee for all others: $125 (commercial LPG tanks).
(k) 
The fee shall be $75 each for sewer/septic and water utility connection.
(l) 
Mechanical fees shall be as follows: the fee shall be $85 for each fuel oil, steam boiler, hot water boiler, hot air furnace, oil tank and LPG tank. The fee shall be $45 for each gas piping.
(6) 
Electrical fees:
(a) 
Electrical fixtures and devices.
[1] 
From one to 40 receptacles, fixtures, or switches: $75.
[2] 
Each additional 25 receptacles, fixtures, or switches: $50.
[3] 
"Receptacles, fixtures or switches" shall include lighting outlets, smoke detectors, heat detectors, fluorescent fixtures, light standards (eight feet or less), rain sensor, burglar alarm devices, intercom devices, thermostats, telephone outlets, garbage disposals and CRT outlets.
[4] 
Fee for residential solar projects shall be $195.
(b) 
Any similar devise or motor of one horsepower or one kilowatt or less:
[1] 
Motors:
1 HP to 10 HP
$15
10.1 HP to 50 HP
$65
50.1 HP to 100 HP
$130
Larger than 100 HP
$665
[2] 
Electrical devices (includes solar inverters and combiner boxes):
1 kW to 10 kW
$15
10.1 kW to 45 kW
$65
45.1 kW to 112.5 kW
$130
Greater than 112.5 kW
$1,200
Note: kW ratings must be noted on application in order to assess proper fees.
[3] 
Transformers and generators:
1 kW to 10 kW
$15
10.1 kW to 45 kW
$65
45.1 kW to 112.5 kW
$130
Larger than 112.5 kW
$665
(c) 
Service equipment, including service panel service entrances subpanels:
0 AMP to 200 AMP
$130
201 AMP to 600 AMP
$300
601 AMP to 1,000 AMP
$800
Larger than 1,000 AMP
$1,200
(d) 
Pools:
[1] 
Residential permanently installed pools, in-ground or aboveground, including hot tubs/spa; fountains (each): $125.
[2] 
Public. For fees, apply Subsection K(6)(a)[1], [2] and [3], (b)[1] and [2] and (c).
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
[3] 
Annual pool inspection: $150.
(e) 
Light standards exceeding eight feet in height (each): $75.
(f) 
Commercial alarm control unit: $150.
[1] 
Note: price does not include devices; refer to items in Subsection K(6)(a), (b) and (c).
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
[2] 
Communication closet: $150.
(g) 
The minimum fee for an inspection is: $85.
(7) 
Fire protection fees:
(a) 
Sprinkler heads or detectors:
1-20 heads or detectors
$100
21-100 heads or detectors
$150
101-200 heads or detectors
$300
201-400 heads or detectors
$800
401-1,000 heads or detectors
$1,600
Over 1,000 heads or detectors
$1,600
(b) 
Independent preengineered systems (each): $130.
(c) 
Standpipe fees: $330.
(d) 
Gas- or oil-fired appliances not connected to a plumbing system: $85.
(e) 
Kitchen exhaust systems (each): $65.
(f) 
Smoke control systems (each): $65.
(g) 
Incinerator: $450.
(h) 
Crematorium: $450.
(i) 
Installation of aboveground or underground fuel tank: $200.
(j) 
Installation of aboveground or underground fuel tank for R-5 use only: $65.
(8) 
Elevators. The fee for a permit to install an elevator shall be $260.
(9) 
Certificates and other permits.
(a) 
The fee for a demolition or removal permit shall be as follows: Class I: $200; Class II: $150; Class III: $100 for one- or two-family residence (use group R-3 and R-4 of the Building Subcode) and structure on farms, including commercial farm buildings under N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.2(d)2 used exclusively for storage of food or grain or sheltering of livestock; and $100 for all other use groups (per structure). For buildings where there has been a condemnation, the fee shall be $300. The fee for abandonment removal or closure of an underground fuel storage tank is $75 per residential tank and $150 per for all other classifications.
(b) 
The fee to construct a sign shall be $50 per sign in addition to electrical fee, if required.
(c) 
The fee to construct a swimming pool shall be (this fee is in addition to any fees associated with a required electrical inspection): residential: $50 for an aboveground pool and $100 for an in-ground pool. Public: $100 for an aboveground pool and $200 for an in-ground pool.
(d) 
The fee to construct a fence shall be $35.
[1] 
Fences six feet and under must be approved by the Zoning Officer pursuant to the Zoning Ordinance.
(e) 
(Reserved)
(f) 
(Reserved)
(g) 
The fee to construct an open structural tower shall be $150 each.
(h) 
The fee to construct a roof-mounted antenna structure more than 12 feet above the roof shall be $150 each.
(i) 
The fee to construct a spray booth or room shall be $300 each.
(j) 
(Reserved)
(k) 
The fee to erect a tent or membrane structure shall be $150 each (applied to tents and membrane structures larger than 900 square feet or exceeding 30 feet in any dimension and containing platforms and/or special electrical equipment covering an area in excess of 120 square feet, including all connecting areas or spaces with a common means of egress or entrance and used or intended to be used for gathering together of 10 or more persons).
(l) 
The fee for a certificate of occupancy shall be in the amount of 10% of the new construction permit. The minimum fee shall be $85, except for one- or two-family (use group R-3 of the Building Subcode) structures of less than 5,000 square feet in area and less than 30 feet in height, and structures on farms, including commercial farm buildings subject to N.J.A.C. 5:23.2D(2), used exclusively for storage of food or grain, or sheltering of livestock, for which the minimum fee shall be $50. The fee for a shed-type structure 200 square feet or less that is an accessory to a single-family dwelling shall be $0.
(m) 
The fee for a certificate of occupancy granted pursuant to a change of use group shall be $150.
(n) 
The fee for a certificate of continued occupancy shall be $150.
(o) 
There is no fee for a temporary certificate of occupancy.
(p) 
There shall be no fee for a certificate of approval certifying that work done under a construction permit has been satisfactorily completed.
(q) 
(Reserved)
(r) 
The fee for an application for a variation in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.10 shall be $500 for Class I structures and $50 for Class II and Class III structures.
(s) 
The fee to inspect a fireplace and chimney is $50.
(t) 
The fee to install a fuel tank is $100.
(10) 
Periodic inspections. Fees for the periodic reinspection of equipment and facilities granted a certificate of approval for a specified duration in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.23 shall be as follows:
(a) 
For elevators, escalators and moving walks requiring reinspection every six months, the fee shall be $85, except for each five-year inspection and witnessing of test on elevators for which the fee shall be $208.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
(b) 
For dumbwaiters requiring reinspection every 12 months, the fee shall be $26.
(c) 
For cross-connections and backflow preventers that are subject to testing, requiring reinspection every 12 months, the fee shall be $33 for each device when they are tested.
(11) 
Annual permits. The fee to be charged for an annual construction permit shall be charged annually. The fee shall be a net fee based upon the number of maintenance workers who are employed by the facility and who are primarily engaged in work that is governed by a subcode. Managers, engineers and clericals shall not be considered maintenance workers for the purpose of establishing the annual construction permit fee. Annual permits may be issued for building/fire protection, electrical and plumbing. Fees shall be as follows:
(a) 
One to 25 workers (including foreman): $500 per worker; each additional worker over 25: $200 per worker.
(b) 
Prior to the issuance of the annual permit, a training registration fee of $140 per subcode shall be submitted by the applicant to the Department of Community Affairs, Construction Code Element, Training Section, along with a copy of the construction permit. Checks shall be made payable to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey."
(12) 
Administrative fees.
(a) 
For each construction permit issued for an asbestos hazard abatement: $70.
(b) 
For each certificate of occupancy issued following the successful completion of an asbestos abatement project: $14.
L. 
Surcharge fee.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
(1) 
In order to provide for the training, certification, and technical support programs required by the Uniform Construction Code Act[3] and regulations, the enforcing agency shall collect, in addition to the fees specified above, 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. A state training surcharge fee for other structures, which is $1.90 per $1,000 of value of construction, shall be collected. The surcharge fee is a charge pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.19. The surcharge fee shall be remitted to the Division of Codes and Standards, 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. 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.
[3]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.
(2) 
The enforcing agency shall report at the end of each fiscal year to the Division of Codes and Standards, 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.
M. 
Fees for zoning permit application are as follows:
(1) 
Fence application: $20.
(2) 
In-ground pool: $50.
(3) 
Aboveground pool: $20.
(4) 
Garage: $50.
(5) 
Barn/pole barn/shed: $50.
(6) 
Patio/deck: $20.
(7) 
Home addition: $50.
(8) 
New house: $100.
(9) 
Commercial building: $100.
(10) 
Sign: $50.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance repealed former § 82-3, Fees, as amended.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 82-4, Surcharge; annual report, of the 1992 Code, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II). See now § 82-3L.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 82-6, Waiver of building permit fees for disabled persons, of the 1992 Code, as amended, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II). See now § 82-3A(5).