[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Runnemede 12-29-1976 by Ord. No. 307; amended in its entirety 6-1-1999 by Ord. No. 99-10 (Ch. 48 of the 1970 Code). Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
NOTE: See Ch. 175 for current floodplain management regulations which supersede any conflicting provisions found in this chapter.
A. 
There is hereby established in the Borough of Runnemede a Uniform Construction Code Enforcing Agency to be known as the "Runnemede Construction Code Enforcing Agency," consisting of a Construction Code 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 New Jersey 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 agent 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 such position.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.
C. 
Central permit office. The Borough of Runnemede shall establish a central permit office under the direction and supervision of the Borough Construction Code Official, which office shall be at the same location as the Runnemede Construction Code Enforcing Agency. This office shall receive applications for construction permits and plan review; issue construction permits and certificates of occupancy; collect fees, penalties and fines; and issue notices and orders. The office shall be comparable with the amount of construction activity in the Borough. Nothing herein shall prevent the Borough from establishing branch offices, but the public shall not, unless in the case of an emergency or unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances, be required to do business except at the central office.
[Amended 4-3-2007 by Ord. No. 07-12; 3-1-2011 by Ord. No. 11-01; 12-6-2022 by Ord. No. 22-16; 3-5-2024 by Ord. No. 24-02; 6-5-2024 by Ord. No. 24-11; 10-1-2024 by Ord. No. 24-20]
A. 
Construction permit fees. The minimum fee will be $80 for a construction permit shall be the sum of the subcode fees listed in Subsections A(1) through (5). The maximum fee for a construction permit shall be the sum of the subcode fees listed in Subsections A(1) through A(5). The maximum fee for a construction permit shall be the sum of the subcode fees listed in Subsections A(1) through (5), and Subsection C shall be paid before the permit is issued.
(1) 
The building subcode fee shall be:
(a) 
Use groups B, E, H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4, I-1, I-2, I-3, M, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-5, and U shall be $0.045 per cubic foot of building or structure volume; minimum fee: $250.
[1] 
Garden type sheds over 201 square feet, minimum fee: $250.
(b) 
Use groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, F-1, F-2, S-1 and S-2, $0.030 per cubic foot of building or structure volume; minimum fee; $250.
(c) 
New construction that cannot be computed by volume.
Estimated Cost of Work
Fee
Minimum
Up to and including $50,000
$34 per $1,000 estimated cost of work
$80
$50,001 to $100,000
$26 per $1,000 estimated cost of work
$80
Over $100,000
$22 per $1,000 estimated cost of work
$80
(2) 
Renovations, alterations, repairs, and minor work: $35 per $1,000 of the estimated cost of the work; minimum fee: $80.
(a) 
Open deck structures:
Size (square feet)
Minimum Fee
Under 100 square feet
$80
100 to 200 square feet
$150
201 to 400 square feet
$200
401 square feet and greater
$250
(b) 
Handicapped fees. Pursuant to the authority under N.J.S.A. 52:27D-126e, no construction permit fee shall be required for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, improvement or repair of a structure and related devices installed or erected for the purpose of promoting accessibility by the handicapped, "handicapped" being defined under N.J.S.A. 52:27D-126e, and conforming to the current N.J.A.C. 5:23-7 Barrier Free Code, and any subsequent amendments or additions thereto. Waiving of the fees in no way waives the right of the enforcing agency to request plans for the purpose of reviewing plans for code compliance.
(3) 
Additions: $0.038 per cubic foot of building or structure volume for the added portion; minimum fee of $250.
(4) 
Carports: $80.
(5) 
Fees for combinations of renovations and additions shall be computed separately in accordance with Subsection A(1)(c).
(6) 
Demolition and removal permit fees.
(a) 
The fee for demolition or removal permit shall be $100 for a structure of less than $5,000 square feet in area and less than 30 feet in height, for one or two-family dwellings, Use Group R-3 and R-5; the fee for all other use groups shall be $170.
(7) 
Fee for tents, in excess of 900 square feet or more than 30 feet on any dimension, shall be $150.
(8) 
Fees for retaining walls shall be as follows:
(a) 
The fee for a retaining wall with a surface area greater than 550 square feet that is associated with Class 3 Residential shall be $275.
(b) 
The fee for a retaining wall with a surface area 550 square feet or less that is associated with a Class 3 Residential structure shall be $150; and
(c) 
The fee for a newly constructed retaining wall of any size at other than a Class 3 Residential structure shall be based on $40 per $1,000 of the cost of the construction with a minimum fee of $75.
(9) 
The fee for a permit to construct a sign shall be as follows:
(a) 
The amount of $8. Per square feet of the surface area of the sign computed on one side only for double-faced signs. The minimum fee shall be $80.
(10) 
Photovoltaic systems, flat fee of $200.
(11) 
Certificates of occupancy.
(a) 
The fee for a certificate of occupancy granted pursuant to a change of the use group shall be $174.
(b) 
The fee for a certificate of continued occupancy shall be $174.
(c) 
The fee for a certificate of occupancy for new construction shall be in the amount of 10% of the construction permit fee. Exception: one- and two-family residences less than 5,000 square feet in area and less than 30 feet in height.
[1] 
Minimum fee: $100; reinspection fee: $50.
[2] 
Fee for certificate of continued occupancy: $120.
[3] 
Fee for certificate of occupancy granted pursuant to a change of use group: $174.
(d) 
The fee for the first issuance and renewal of a temporary certificate of occupancy shall be $30.
B. 
Elevator subcode fees. The fee for elevator device inspections and test shall be N.J.A.C. 5:23-12, the State Department of Community Affairs shall be the sole enforcing agency.
C. 
Plumbing subcode fees. For fixtures and equipment, the fees shall be as follows:
(1) 
The fee shall be in the amount of $20, per fixture, piece of equipment, or appliance connected to the plumbing system, and for each appliance connected to the gas piping or oil piping system, except as indicated in Subsection C(2) below for special devices.
(2) 
The fee shall be $95 per special device for the following: grease traps, oil separators, refrigeration units, water-cooled air-conditioning units, pumps, water or sewer utility service connections, steam boilers, hot water boilers (excluding those for domestic water heating), active solar systems sewer pumps and interceptors. There shall be no fee charged for gas service entrances.
(3) 
For cross-connections and backflow preventers that are subject to testing requiring reinspection every three months: $35 for each device when it is tested (thrice annually) and $100 for each device when it is broken down and tested (once annually).
(4) 
The fee for residential gas piping shall be $70 and for commercial $90.
(5) 
In any case, minimum fee for any plumbing subcode permit, in part or total: $80.
(6) 
Plan review fee. 25% of the amount to be charged for a new construction plumbing permit as set forth above.
(7) 
For anything not listed above, the minimum fee shall be $80.
D. 
Electrical subcode fees.
(1) 
Minimum fee: $80.
(2) 
Rough wiring (all switches, fixtures, devices, receptacles, sensors, dimmers, alarm devices, smoke and heat detectors, communication outlets, emergency lights, electric signs, exit lights or similar electric fixtures, and devices rated 20 amperes or less including motors and equipment rated at less than one horsepower or one kilowatt and lighting outlets shall be counted as outlets):
(a) 
One to 50 outlets: $70.
(b) 
For each additional 25 outlets or fraction: $25.
(3) 
For each motor or electrical device rated from one horsepower or 1 kilowatt to 10 horsepower or 10 kilowatt; for each transformer or generator rated from 1 kilowatt or one kilovolt-amps; for each replacement or wiring involving one branch circuit or part thereof; for each storable pool or hydro massage bath tub; for each underwater lighting fixture; for household electric cooking equipment rated up to 16 kilowatts; for each fire, security, or burglar alarm control unit; for each receptacle rated from 30 amperes to 50 amperes; for each light standard greater than eight feet in height including luminaries; and for each communications closet, the fee shall be $40.
(4) 
For each motor or electrical device rated from 11 horsepower to 11 kilowatts to 50 horsepower or 50 kilowatts; for each service equipment, panel board, switch board, switch gear, motor-control center, or disconnecting means rated 225 amperes or less; for each transformer or generator rated from 11 kilowatt or 11 kilovolt-amps to 50 kilowatts or 50 kilovolt-amps; for each electric sign rated from greater than 20 amperes to 225 amperes including associated disconnecting means; for each receptacle rater greater than 50 amperes; for each utility load management device, the fee shall be $75.
(5) 
For each motor or electrical device rated from greater than 51 horsepower or 51 kilowatts to 100 horsepower or 110 kilowatt; for each service equipment, panel board, switch board, switch gear, motor-control-center, or disconnecting means rated from greater than 225 amperes to 1,000 amperes; and for each transformer or generator rated from greater than 45 kilowatts to 112.5 kilowatts or 112.5 kilovolt-amps, the fee shall be $139.
(6) 
For each motor electrical device rated at greater than 101 horsepower or 101 kilowatts; for each service equipment, panel board, switch board, switch gear, motor-control-center, or disconnecting means rated at greater than 1,000 amperes; for each transformer or generator rated at greater than 112.5 kilowatts or 112.5 kilovolt-amps the fee shall be $650.
(7) 
Fee charged for electrical work for each permanently installed private swimming pool as defined in the building subcode, spa, hot tub, or fountain shall be a flat fee of $90, which shall include any required bonding, and associated equipment such as filter pumps, motors, disconnecting means, switches, required receptacles and heaters, etc., excepting panel board and underwater lighting fixtures. For public swimming pools, the fee shall be charged on the basis of the number of electrical fixtures and rating of each electrical device involved in accordance with Subsection D(1) through (6) above of this section.
(8) 
The fee charged for the installation of single and multiple station smoke or heat detectors and fire, burglar or security alarm systems in any one- or two-family dwelling shall be a flat fee of $75 per dwelling unit. For fire, burglar, and security alarm systems and detectors in buildings other than one- or two-family dwellings, the fee shall be charged in accordance with Subsections A, B and C above.
(9) 
The installation consisting of multi-meter stacks, the fee shall be based on the ampere rating of the main bus and not upon the number of meters or rating of disconnects on the meter stack. Individual load side panel boards shall be charged in accordance with Subsection D(4), (5), and (6) above. There shall be no additional fee charged for the concurrent installation of the individual feeder conductors.
(10) 
For motors or similar devices requiring concurrent installation of individual controls, relays and switches, the fee shall be based only upon the rating of the motor or device. There shall be no additional fee charged for the concurrent installation of individual circuit components, for example, controllers, starters and disconnecting means.
(11) 
For electrical work requiring replacement or service entrance conductors or feeder conductors only, or panels, sub-panels, service disconnects, the fee shall be based on the designated ampere rating of the overcurrent of the device of the service or feeder as follows:
(a) 
200 amperes or less, the fee shall be $100.
(b) 
201 amperes to 1,000 amperes, the fee shall be $150.
(c) 
Greater than 1,000 amperes, the fee shall be $660.
(12) 
The fee charged for process equipment shall be based on the ampere rating of the overcurrent device protecting the conductor feeding the process equipment or the cutoff device.
(13) 
For the purpose of computing these fees, all electrical and communication devices, utilization equipment and motors which are part of the premises wiring, except those which are portable plug-in type shall be counted.
(14) 
For photovoltaic systems, the fee shall be based on the designated kilowatt rating of the solar photovoltaic system as follows:
(a) 
One kilowatt to 100 kilowatts, fee is $200.
(b) 
Greater than 100 kilowatts, the fee is $700.
(15) 
Plan review fee. 25% of the amount to be charged for anew construction electrical permit as set forth above.
(16) 
For anything not listed above, the minimum fee shall be $80.
E. 
Fire protection subcode fees.
(1) 
For fire protection and hazardous equipment, sprinklers, standpipes, detectors (smoke and heat), pre-engineered suppression systems, gas and oil-fired appliances not connected to the plumbing system, kitchen exhaust systems, incinerators, and crematoriums, the minimum permit fee shall be $80.
(2) 
The fee for sprinklers (wet or dry) or detector heads (smoke or heat) or pull stations shall be as follows:
(a) 
For 20 or fewer heads, the fee shall be $100.
(b) 
For 21 heads to and including 100 heads, the fee shall be $225.
(c) 
For 101 heads to and including 200 heads, the fee shall be $350.
(d) 
For 201 heads to and including 400 heads, the fee shall be $900.
(e) 
For 401 heads to and including 1,000 heads, the fee shall be $1,200.
(f) 
For over 1,000 heads the fee shall be $1,600.
(3) 
The fee for each standpipe shall be $375.
(4) 
The fee for each independent pre-engineered system shall be $175. (Wet chemical, dry chemical, CO2 suppression, foam suppression, FM200 suppression, Ansul system, etc.)
(5) 
The fee for each gas or oiled fired appliance that is not connected to the plumbing system shall be $70.
(6) 
The fee for the installation of an aboveground oil tank shall be $70.
(7) 
The fee for each commercial kitchen exhaust system shall be $175.
(8) 
The fee for each crematorium shall be $550.
(9) 
The fee for each incinerator shall be $550.
(10) 
The fee for fire pumps shall be $200.
(11) 
The fee for gasoline and propane tanks, in-ground and aboveground shall be $95 each.
(12) 
The fee for supervisory devices (i.e., tampers, high/low air, etc.) the fee shall be $20 each.
(13) 
The fee for signaling devices (i.e., horns/strobes, bells, etc.) shall be $20 each.
(14) 
The fee for dry pipe alarm and pre-action valves shall be $70 each.
(15) 
The fee for smoke control systems shall be $85 each.
(16) 
Permits for the installation of fireplaces, wood burning stoves and solid-fuel-burning appliances shall be $40 per $1,000 of estimated cost per unit. Minimum fee shall be $80 per device or appliance.
(17) 
Fireplace venting/metal chimney or chimney liner shall be $80.
(18) 
Fee for fire mains to the building shall be $1.50 per linear foot.
(19) 
Fee for fire hydrants shall be $80 each.
(20) 
The fee for fire extinguishers shall be a flat fee of $50.
(21) 
Photovoltaic systems, flat fee of $80.
(22) 
Plan review fee. 25% of the amount to be charged for a new construction fire protection permit as set forth above.
(23) 
For anything not listed above, the minimum fee shall be $80.
F. 
Mechanical systems.
(1) 
Oil/Electric heat to gas heat.
(a) 
Permits required:
Commercial
Residential
Building
Mechanical
Electric
Fire
Plumbing
Fire
(2) 
Oil/Gas heat to heat pump.
(a) 
Permits required:
Commercial
Residential
Building
Mechanical
Electric
Electric
Fire (if gas back up)
(3) 
Oil/Electric to propane.
(a) 
Permits required:
Commercial
Residential
Building
Mechanical
Plumbing
Electric
Fire
(b) 
For cross connections and back follow preventers that are subject to re-testing, requiring inspection annually, the fee shall be $50 for each device.
(4) 
The fee for a mechanical inspection in a Use Group R-3 and R-5 structure by a mechanical inspector shall be $80 for the first device and $20 for each additional device. No separate fee shall be charged for gas, fuel oil or water piping connections associated with the mechanical equipment inspected.
G. 
Annual permit requirements.
(1) 
For charitable, philanthropic, fraternal and religious organizations holding exempt status, the fee shall be 25% of the regular fees to cover the cost of plan reviews, inspections and administration. This does not include the municipal government and public school district.
(2) 
Prototype. For plans already reviewed, those plans processed as prototype, there will be a discount of 20% of the construction permit. Said prototype plan approvals shall be valid for the purpose of applying for the new construction permit. When submitting under the prototype plan review, the Construction Code Official shall be notified.
(3) 
The fee for annual electrical inspection of swimming pools, spas or hot tubs shall be $200. The fee for each additional swimming pool, spa or hot tub on a site shall be $100.
H. 
The Construction Official shall, with the advice of the subcode officials, prepare and submit to the Mayor and Council, as needed, a report recommending a fee schedule based on the operating expenses of the agency and any other expenses of the Borough fairly attributable to the enforcement of the State Uniform Construction Code Act.
I. 
State training fees.
(1) 
The fee shall be computed based on the volume of new construction times the current rate set by N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.19 and as amended from time to time.
(2) 
The fee for alterations shall be based on the estimated cost of the alterations per thousand for each subcode involved times the fee set by N.J.A.C. and amended from time to time.
J. 
All payments to private on-site agencies shall be calculated and paid in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.18(k) or any amendments or subsequent enactments thereto.
K. 
Reinstatement fee. Whenever a permit shall become void or lapse by definition of N.J.A.C. 5:23, the fee, upon request, and approval of the Construction Official, may be reinstated a rate not to exceed 75% of the original fee charged. The fee is to be calculated with the use of the current fee schedule, less 25% for reinstatement fees.
L. 
Refunds. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.27, in the case of discontinuance of a building project, the plan review fee and state training fees are not refundable.
M. 
Variation fees. The fee for an application for a variation in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.10 shall be $820 for Class I structures and $175 for Class II and Class III Structures. The fee for re-submission of an application for a variation shall be $320 for Class I structures and $90 for Class II and Class III structures.
N. 
Swimming pools.
(1) 
Above-ground swimming pools shall be $175 with a surface area greater than 500 sf; the fee in all other cases shall be $100.
(2) 
In-ground swimming pools shall be $275 with a surface area greater than 500 sf; the fee in all other cases shall be $150.
Any person aggrieved by any order of the Runnemede Construction Code Enforcing Agency shall have the right to appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals of Camden County.
On or before February 10 of each year, the Construction Code Official shall, with the advice of the subcode officials, prepare and submit to the Borough Council a report recommending a fee schedule based on the operation expenses of the agency and any other expenses of the agency and any other expenses of the Borough fairly attributable to the enforcement of the State Uniform Construction Code Act.
[Amended 3-1-2011 by Ord. No. 11-01; 12-6-2022 by Ord. No. 22-16]
In order to provide for the training, certificates and technical support programs required by the Uniform Construction Code Act and the regulations, the Runnemede Construction Code Enforcing Agency shall collect, in addition to the fees specified above; a surcharge fee of $0.00371 per cubic foot of volume of new construction and, for all other construction, a surcharge fee of $1.90 per $1,000 value of construction.