[Last amended 10-10-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-43]
A. 
General standards.
(1) 
The fee for plan review, where applicable, is computed as a percentage (20%) of the fee for a construction permit and shall be paid at the time of submission of an application for a permit. Plan review fees are not refundable.
(2) 
The fee for inspections is included in the fee for a construction permit fee. The fee for an inspection requested before or after regular Paramus Building Department hours of business or on holidays and weekends shall be in addition to any established fee, which shall include the current hourly compensation rate for the code official performing the inspection, plus an administrative surcharge of 20% of said calculated amount. Said fee shall be calculated and based on the amount of time required for said inspection with a minimum inspection time of two hours.
(3) 
The fee for a construction permit shall be the sum of all subcode fees (building, elevator, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and mechanical) listed herein and shall be paid before a permit is issued.
(4) 
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.
(5) 
The fee to be charged for an annual construction permit, where applicable, shall be based in accordance with law. Annual permits may be issued for building/fire protection, electrical and plumbing permits. Annual permit fees shall be nonrefundable. Prior to the issuance of an annual permit, where applicable, a training registration fee of $100 per subcode shall be submitted by the applicant to the Borough Construction Official, who shall forward the fee to the applicable State Department of Community Affairs official.
(6) 
Public buildings owned by the county, municipality or any agency or instrumentality or by ordinance waiving fees adopted under N.J.S.A. 52:27D-126b shall not be required to pay any municipal fee, charge, surcharge or training fee imposed by any state agency.
(7) 
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-126c, no permit fee may be charged to a school board except for fees charged by the Department of Education for plan review. Therefore, the fee of 20% of a construction permit shall be charged for the plan review of all public-school building work pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-126c and 52:27D-130.
(8) 
All fees for residential construction solely for the improvement of accessibility such as the construction of a ramp, reconstruction of a bathroom or modifications to make a home accessible are waived. A construction permit must still be applied for and completed.
B. 
Building subcode fees shall be as follows:
(1) 
New buildings, per cubic foot volume of structure, including installations and foundation system of premanufactured construction and the external utility connection of premanufactured construction:
(a) 
Residential: $0.038.
(b) 
Commercial: $0.040.
(c) 
Parking structures: $0.009.
(2) 
Minimum fees:
(a) 
Commercial: $150.
(b) 
Residential: $100.
(c) 
Accessory structure: $100.
(d) 
Retaining wall: $25 per $1,000 cost of work.
(3) 
Additions, per cubic foot volume of new area:
(a) 
Residential: $0.030.
(b) 
Commercial: $0.040.
(c) 
Minimum fee: $100.
(4) 
Alterations, renovations and repairs, per $1,000 of estimated cost of project: residential, $25.
(a) 
First $300,000, for each $1,000 of cost: $25.
(b) 
Over $300,000: fee for first $300,000 as per above plus, for each $3,000 of cost over $300,000, $15.
(c) 
Fees for a combination of renovations and additions shall be computed as the sum of the fees for the fee for an addition as per Subsection B(2) plus the fee for an alteration as per Subsection B(3) as computed separately.
(5) 
For parking structures, the fee shall be $0.009 per cubic foot.
(6) 
Roofing and reroofing:
(a) 
Per square foot of work: $0.05.
(b) 
Minimum fee: $75.
(7) 
Siding:
(a) 
Per $1,000 of work: $10.
(b) 
Minimum fee: $75.
(8) 
Fencing, over six feet in height: $100.
(9) 
Each deck: $75
(10) 
Signs:
(a) 
Sign, per square foot of face area, one side only for a double-faced sign: $4.
(b) 
For double-faced signs, double the above fee.
(11) 
Footing inspection for a freestanding sign: $75.
(12) 
Each pool:
(a) 
Aboveground pool: $70.
(b) 
In-ground pool: $200.
(13) 
Asbestos abatement: $106.
(a) 
Administrative fee for each certificate: $25.
(14) 
Demolition:
(a) 
Principal building: $300.
(b) 
Accessory building: $175.
(c) 
Interior prior to alteration: $150 + DCA.
(15) 
Certificates of occupancy and related fees.
(a) 
Certificates of occupancy:
[1] 
Commercial: $300.
[2] 
New house: $150.
[3] 
Addition/alterations: $100.
(b) 
Certificate of temporary occupancy:
[1] 
Commercial: $150.
[2] 
Residential: $85.
(c) 
Certificate of approval:
[1] 
Commercial: $125.
[2] 
Residential: $75.
(d) 
Residential resale: $95.
(e) 
Residential for refinancing: $75.
(f) 
Certificate of continued occupancy (reoccupancy): $300.
(g) 
Special inspection fee:
[1] 
Up to two hours: $250.
[2] 
Each additional hour or portion thereof: $150.
(h) 
Uniform Construction Code variation (use separate application forms for each variation request):
[1] 
Residential: $150.
[2] 
Commercial: $250.
(16) 
State of New Jersey training fees. DCA training fees shall be added to the permit fees above in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.19.
(17) 
Items not listed will be priced similar to the rates listed as determined by the Building Subcode Official, to be approved by the Construction Code Official.
C. 
Elevator subcode fees: Effective September 1, 2015, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs shall be the enforcing agency for the elevator subcode pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.3 and 5:23-4.9.
D. 
Electrical subcode fees shall be as follows:
(1) 
Minimum fee:
(a) 
Residential: $50.
(b) 
Commercial: $125.
(2) 
First 25 total of lighting fixtures, receptacles, switches, detectors, light poles, motors (fraction horsepower), emergency and exit lights, communications points and alarm devices/F.A.C. panel: $50; each additional total of 25 units: $40.
(3) 
Each range:
(a) 
Up to 20 kilowatts: $20.
(b) 
Over 20 kilowatts: $35.
(4) 
Each surface cooktop unit:
(a) 
Up to 12 kilowatts: $20.
(b) 
Over 12 kilowatts: $35.
(5) 
Each dishwasher: $20.
(6) 
Each clothes dryer:
(a) 
Up to five kilowatts: $20.
(b) 
Over five kilowatts: $35.
(7) 
Each air-conditioning unit:
(a) 
Up to 10 tons: $20.
(b) 
Over 10 tons: $40, plus $10 for each additional five tons.
(8) 
Each whirlpool/spa: $25.
(9) 
Each pool (bonding, filter motor, lights and heater all inclusive): $70.
(10) 
Commercial pool inspection:
(a) 
Electrical certificate of compliance: $100.
(b) 
Bonding and grounding certificate of compliance: $100.
(11) 
Each water heater:
(a) 
Up to 10 kilowatts: $25.
(b) 
Over 10 kilowatts: $50.
(12) 
Central heat:
(a) 
Oil or gas: $20.
(b) 
Baseboard electric, up to 10 kilowatts: $15.
[1] 
Residential: $20.
[2] 
Commercial: $50.
(c) 
Over 10 kilowatts: $35, plus $10 for each additional 15 kilowatts.
(13) 
Each pump or motor:
Horsepower
Fee
Up to 7 1/2
$20
7 1/2 to 15
$35
15 to 30
$65
30 to 50
$95
50 to 100
$160
Over 100
$525
(14) 
Signs:
(a) 
Each wall sign: $50.
(b) 
Each freestanding sign: $100.
(15) 
Each subpanel/transfer switch:
Amperes
Fee
Up to 200
$50
225 to 600
$100
601 to 1,000
$175
Over 1,000
$525
(16) 
Each transformer, power boost and buck isolation, signaling or generator:
Kilovolt-Amperes
Fee
Up to 7 1/2
$50
7 1/2 to 30
$100
30 to 60
$160
60 to 112 1/2
$355
112 1/2
$525
(17) 
Service entrance (main panel with disconnect):
Amperes
Fee
Through 200
$50
225 to 600
$160
601 to 1,000
$325
Over 1,000
$525
(18) 
Items not listed will be priced similar to the rates listed as determined by the Electrical Subcode Official, to be approved by the Construction Code Official.
(19) 
Solar photovoltaic systems:
(a) 
One to 50 kw: $60.
(b) 
Fifty-one to 100 kw: $125.
(c) 
Over 100 kw: $600.
(20) 
Electric vehicle charging outlet:
(a) 
Up to 60 AMPS: $50.
(b) 
Sixty-one to 100 AMPS: $100.
(c) 
One hundred one to 200 AMPS: $150.
(d) 
Over 200 AMPS: $200.
E. 
Plumbing subcode fees shall be as follows:
(1) 
Minimum fee:
(a) 
Residential: $75.
(b) 
Commercial: $150.
(2) 
Each lavatory, sink, water closet, bidet, bathtub, shower and hose bib: $25.
(3) 
Each urinal, floor drain, roof drain, and floor sink: $65.
(4) 
Each commercial sink: $65.
(5) 
Each dishwasher: $20.
(a) 
Residential: $30.
(b) 
Commercial: $65.
(6) 
Each drinking fountain: $65.
(7) 
Each washing machine: $30.
(8) 
Each wall hydrant: $65.
(9) 
Each backflow preventor for domestic water: $10.
(a) 
Residential: $20.
(b) 
Commercial: $65.
(10) 
Each new water heater or storage tank:
(a) 
Residential: $40.
(b) 
Commercial: $125.
(11) 
Fuel oil piping: $45.
(12) 
Gas piping (per unit): $20.
(a) 
First 100 feet: $100.
(b) 
Each additional 100 feet: $75.
(13) 
Each new steam boiler: $75.
(14) 
Each new hot-water boiler: $75.
(15) 
Each sewer pump and/or ejector: $20.
(a) 
Residential: $60.
(b) 
Commercial: $125.
(16) 
Each interceptor, separator and grease trap: $150.
(17) 
Each gas appliance:
(a) 
Residential: $25.
(b) 
Commercial: $75.
(18) 
Water-cooled air-conditioning or refrigeration unit: $150.
(19) 
Sewer/sanitary connection:
(a) 
Residential: $75.
(b) 
Commercial: $150.
(20) 
Each stack: $35.
(21) 
Water service connection up to one inch:
(a) 
Residential: $75.
(b) 
Commercial: $200.
(c) 
Water service over one inch: $250.
(22) 
Items not listed will be priced similar to the rates listed as determined by the Plumbing Subcode Official, to be approved by the Construction Code Official.
F. 
Fire protection subcode fees shall be as follows:
(1) 
Minimum fee:
(a) 
Residential: $100.
(b) 
Commercial: $250.
(2) 
Fire protection sprinkler system:
Number of Heads
Fee
1 to 50
$250
51 to 200
$350
201 to 500
$600
501 to 1,000
$1,500
Over 1,000 (per head)
$1.25
(3) 
Standpipe system per riser/story:
Size
(Stories)
Fee
1 to 4
$300
5 and above
$300
(4) 
Private yard fire hydrant (per hydrant): $150.
(5) 
Each fire service water main: $250.
(6) 
Commercial fire alarm system:
(a) 
Up to 20 initiating devices: $200.
(b) 
An additional $7 per device over 20.
(7) 
Residential fire alarms, all types: $150.
(8) 
Smoke-control system: $1,000.
(9) 
Preengineered fire-suppression system: $250.
(10) 
Commercial kitchen hood exhaust system: $200.
(11) 
Gas- or oil-fired appliance:
(a) 
Residential: $85, plus $40 for each additional unit.
(b) 
Commercial: $100, plus $65 for each additional unit.
(12) 
Each flammable/combustible liquid underground storage tank installation:
Capacity
(gallons)
Fee
Up to 2,999
$200
3,000 and over
$400
(13) 
Each flammable/combustible liquid underground removal:
(a) 
Residential: $250.
(b) 
Commercial: $350.
(14) 
Each flammable/combustible liquid aboveground storage tank installation:
(a) 
Residential: $50.
(b) 
Commercial:
Capacity
(gallons)
Fee
Up to 1,000
$300
Over 1,000
$400
(15) 
Each waste oil aboveground storage tank: $250.
(16) 
Each gasoline/diesel dispenser: $100.
(17) 
Residential oil tank abandonment: $75.
(18) 
Solar: $75.
(19) 
Residential prefab fireplace and/or insert: $75.
(20) 
Residential generator: $75.
(21) 
Items not listed will be priced similar to the rates listed as determined by the Fire Subcode Official, to be approved by the Construction Code Official.
G. 
Mechanical subcode fees shall be as follows. The mechanical subcode fees shall apply only for R-3 and R-4 construction classifications.
(1) 
Minimum fee: $50.
(2) 
Each water heater: $40.
(3) 
Each hot-air furnace: $75.
(4) 
Air-conditioning system:
(a) 
New system: $75.
(b) 
Complete replacement: $65.
(c) 
Condensing unit only: $45.
(5) 
Each boiler: $75.
(6) 
Each LPG tank install or replacement: $75.
(7) 
Each prefab fireplace and/or insert: $75.
(8) 
Each chimney: $75.
(9) 
Each generator: $75.
(10) 
Items not listed will be priced similar to the rates listed as determined by the Mechanical Subcode Official, to be approved by the Construction Code Official.
H. 
Appeal of fees.
(1) 
Whenever any person shall believe that the fees established by the Borough fail to meet the standards for establishing fees, that person shall be entitled to petition to the DCA Commissioner for review of the fee schedule in question.
(2) 
Any such petition shall state the name, place of residence and the manner in which the fee schedule affects the petitioner. The petition shall further state the manner in which the petitioner believes the fees established to be inconsistent with the standards established by law.
(3) 
If, upon investigation, the DCA Commissioner determines that there is reason to believe that the fees in question do not meet the standards established by law, then the DCA Commissioner shall set a time and the place for a hearing. The purpose of the hearing shall be to determine the facts.
(4) 
No such hearing shall be called except upon 30 calendar days' notice to the Borough and the petitioner. The Borough volume, construction activity and local enforcing agency costs as the DCA Commissioner may require in order that a determination may be made.
(5) 
As soon as practical after the conclusion of such a hearing, the DCA Commissioner shall make a finding and determination as to whether the fee schedule in question, as a whole or in any of its parts, conforms or fails to conform to the standards established by law.
(6) 
In addition to any other actions that may be taken upon determining that the fees established by the Borough fail to meet the standards under law, the DCA Commissioner may order the repayment of the excess amount of such fee(s) to the person who has paid them.
The Construction Official shall, with the advice of the subcode officials, prepare and submit to the Mayor and Council 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.
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 $0.0006 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 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. 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.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 5:23-1.1 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.
The Construction Official shall prepare and submit to the Mayor and 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.