It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul or in any way impair or interfere with existing provisions of other laws or this Code or other ordinances, except those specifically repealed by this chapter. Where this chapter sets a fee different from existing provisions of law or this Code or ordinances or establishes a new fee, the provisions of this chapter shall apply.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of New Providence 5-29-1973 by Ord. No. 73-7 (Ch. 14 of the 1973 Code of Ordinances); amended in its entirety 8-12-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-07. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
Every person required to procure a license or permit under the provisions of this Code or other ordinance of the Borough shall submit an application for such license or permit to the proper Borough official, as designated in this chapter. No refunds shall be made once an application is filed, whether the application is granted or not, unless the Mayor and Council approve such refund.
The Borough Clerk is hereby designated as the Borough official responsible for the collection of those license and permit fees referred to in this chapter. The Borough Clerk may designate another Borough official to collect such fees as appropriate for that department. The Borough Clerk or designated official shall collect all such fees, shall issue licenses and permits in the name of the Borough or refer the same to the Council for issuance in accordance with this chapter and shall promulgate and enforce all reasonable rules and regulations necessary for the operation and enforcement of this chapter and other applicable laws and ordinances of the Borough.
[Amended 11-10-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-14]
The licenses or permit fees, as the case may be, to be charged and the effective date of each license or permit shall be as follows:
A.
Annual licenses or permits. The license or permit period shall be from January 1 to December 31 of the year in which said license or permit is issued unless a shorter period of time is stated upon the license or permit.
(1)
Administrative and executive.
(e)
Certified copy of an ordinance, resolution or minutes: $6, plus the fee established in Subsection A(1)(o).
(f)
Ordinance Book (Code of the Borough of New Providence): $250 plus $75 per year for updates.
(g)
(i)
Tree removal permits:
(j)
Land use and affordable housing codes: $30.
(k)
Master Plan: $55.
(l)
Maintenance Code: $10.
(m)
Registration of public utility, cable television company or local utility interested in receiving notice of hearings regarding development applications: $10.
(n)
Voter registration verification letter: $20.
(o)
Photocopies per letter size page or smaller, and per legal size page or larger: fees pursuant to Title 47, Public Records, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5b.
(p)
Faxes: Faxes: fees pursuant to Title 47, Public Records, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5b.
(q)
E-mail: fees pursuant to Title 47, Public Records, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5b.
(r)
Search/retrieval: $25 per hour, plus fees pursuant to Title 47, Public Records, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5b.
(s)
Free copies: other governmental agencies and officials and special reports, unless referenced herein, of interest to a significant number of residents that the Mayor and Council offer as available at the municipal offices.
(t)
Media-related reproductions.
[1]
Video: Cost of material and services as applicable, which might include use of non-government reproduction services.
[2]
Cassette: Cost of material and services as applicable, which might include use of non-government reproduction services.
[3]
Electronic medium: Cost of material and services as applicable, which might include use of non-government reproduction services.
[4]
Glossy digital 8 x 10: Cost of material and services as applicable, which might include use of non-government reproduction services.
[5]
Colored 35mm 3x5: Cost of material and services as applicable, which might include use of non-government reproduction services.
(u)
Raffle: pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:47-4.10.
(v)
Bingo: pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:47-4.10.
(w)
Payroll fees: $15 per employee hour worked, for personnel charges requested by agencies other than Borough departments.
(y)
Facilities usage:
[1]
Class 1: Non-profit organization based in New Providence.
[a]
Use of Borough Facility/ballfield: No charge except for:
[i]
A charge may be imposed when the facility is used after regular business hours or when determined necessary or appropriate by the Administrator.
[ii]
A charge will be imposed for fundraising events, or one for which a voluntary offering is collected. The fee will be determined by the Administrator after a review of the application. An additional fee may be assessed if the facility is left in an unsatisfactory condition after the event.
[iii]
In the use of any Borough facility/field, a charge will be made for requested incremental Borough services. This charge shall be assessed by the Administrator based on the incremental services provided.
[2]
(aa)
Performance of marriage or civil union ceremonies:
[1]
By the Mayor, Acting Mayor or Judge: $100.
(2)
Public works.
(a)
Road opening permit: $65.
(c)
Inspection fees, post minimum of $255. To cover the cost of Borough inspections for sanitary and road opening permits. The cost per inspection is $85.
(d)
Post minimum of $1,000 cash bond to cover restoration of disturbance. The amount may be increased as requested by the Borough Engineer.
(e)
Permanent sewer capping fee: $250.
(g)
Sewer use fees: See also § 219-13, Sewer and sewage disposal.
(3)
Board of Adjustment.
(a)
Use variance application: $796.
(b)
Subdivision, conditional use or site plan application, incidental to use variance: $531 additional.
(c)
All other applications for variances pertaining to R-1, R-2 and R-3 Residential Zones: $319.
(d)
Appeals, nonrelated to variance, and which result from the Construction Official's denial of a building permit: $107.
(e)
Certified list of property owners: $10.
(f)
The fee for professionals review with the Consulting Engineer, Affordable Housing Consultant, Professional Planner, Attorney, (etc.) shall be predicated on the current hourly rate as defined in the annual contract between the Borough of New Providence and the respective professional.
(g)
All fees herein provided for are to be paid upon submission of application and shall be a condition precedent for the consideration of the same.
(4)
Planning Board.
(a)
Conditional use application: $531.
(b)
Minor subdivision application: $213.
(c)
Major subdivision application: $2,122.
(d)
Site plan application: $531.
(e)
Site plan application required only due to construction of an accessory structure or an addition to an existing principal structure within an area requiring Department of Environmental Protection Approval (floodplain or freshwater wetlands): $531.
(f)
Conditional use application in addition to subdivision or site plan application: $520.
(g)
Certified list of property owners: $10.
(h)
Variance incidental to subdivision, site plan or conditional use application: $319 additional.
(i)
The fee for professionals review with the Consulting Engineer, Affordable Housing Consultant, Professional Planner, Attorney, (etc.) shall be predicated on the current hourly rate as defined in the annual contract between the Borough of New Providence and the respective professional.
(j)
The fee for additional required consultant services to the Planning Board shall be billed to the applicant predicated on the current hourly rate as defined in the current contract with the consultant but shall not exceed $500 for commercial, industrial and major subdivision or site plan applications or $100 for residential or minor subdivision applications.
(k)
All fees herein provided for are to be paid upon submission of application, except Subsection A(4)(i) and (j) above, and shall be a condition precedent for the consideration of such applications. Payment under Subsection A(4)(i) and (j) above are paid within five days of billing by the Borough to the applicant and must be paid prior to delivery of the endorsed final plats or certifications of approval.
(5)
Construction Official, Building Department.
(a)
The fee for a construction permit shall be the sum of the subcode fees rounded to the nearest dollar amount, and shall be paid before the permit is issued:
[1]
The building subcode fee shall be:
[a]
For new construction: For use groups B, H, I-1, I-3, M, E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, U shall be $0.060 and for use groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, F-1, F-2, S-1, S-2 shall be $0.039 per cubic foot of building or structure volume, provided there shall be a minimum fee of $306.
[b]
For renovations, alterations and repairs, and fences over six feet in height or required barriers:
[i]
$24 per $1,000 of estimated cost of work up to $20,000.
[ii]
$22 per $1,000 of estimated cost of work after $20,000 but under $50,000.
[iii]
$20 per $1,000 of estimated cost of work after $50,000.
[iv]
There shall be a minimum fee of $51.
[vi]
Lead and radon abatement shall be $149.
[vii]
Asbestos abatement shall be $89.
[c]
For combinations of renovations and additions, the sum of the fees computed separately as renovations and additions.
[d]
For plan review, 25% of the amount to be charged for the construction permit shall be paid before the plans are reviewed, which amount shall be credited towards the construction permit fee.
[g]
To provide for the training, certification and technical support required by the Unified Construction Code Act and the 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 construction and surcharge fee of $1.0019 per $1,000 for alterations. Said surcharge fee shall be remitted to the Bureau of Housing Inspection, Department of Community Affairs. The surcharge fee shall be rounded to the nearest dollar on alterations, additions and new work.
[h]
The fee for an application for a variation in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.10 shall be $594 for Class I structure, $120 for Class II and Class III structures.
[i]
All suspensions of permit pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.16(b) will not be refundable in whole or in part. To reinstate a lapsed permit shall be 100% of the original fee.
[j]
The fee for an above ground swimming pool shall be $106 and for an in-ground swimming pool it shall be $186.
[k]
Fees for retaining walls shall be as follows:
(b)
The fee for a certificate of occupancy shall be as follows:
[1]
For each new residential dwelling use: 10% of the permit fee, with a minimum of $102.
[2]
For a new industrial or commercial use: 10% of the permit fee, with a minimum of $292.
[3]
For an addition to existing residential use: 10% of the permit fee, with a minimum of $102.
[4]
For an addition to existing industrial or commercial use: $292.
[5]
For existing nonconforming use: $292.
[6]
For change of use: $292.
[7]
For continued occupancy: $292.
[8]
For certificate of clearance for lead abatement: shall be $30.
(6)
Plumbing permits.
(a)
The plumbing subcode fee shall be:
[1]
For each plumbing fixture, device and plumbing stack: $17.
[3]
For each commercial, industrial or multi-family sewer or water permit: $186.
[4]
For each single-family house sewer connection or water connection: $133.
[5]
For grease traps and oil separators: $69.
[7]
Roof drains: $27. All use groups except for R-5.
[8]
Swimming pool drains: $66. $10 each.
[9]
Generator: $50 each.
[10]
Sump pump: $51 each.
[11]
Water filtration system: $51 each.
[12]
Fire log set: $68 each.
(c)
For cross-connections and backflow annual certification: $50.
(d)
Gas or oil piping: $69 for first outlet, $16 for each additional outlet.
(e)
The minimum plumbing subcode fee shall be: $51.
(7)
Fire permits.
(a)
Fire subcode fees for fire protection and other hazardous equipment shall be as follows:
[4]
Standpipes: $306 each.
[5]
Oil or gas appliances: $51 each new appliance.
[6]
Commercial kitchen exhaust system: $133 each.
[7]
Factory built fireplaces and solid fuel stoves: $53 each.
[8]
Factory built chimneys: $69 each.
[9]
Backflow device: $69.
[12]
Solar permit: $51.
[13]
Chimney liner: $53.
[14]
The minimum fire subcode fee shall be $51.
(8)
Elevators, mechanical systems and equipment.
(a)
Elevators. Elevator subcode fees shall be in accordance with the services rendered to the Borough pursuant to the existing contract entered into with an independent inspection service. A current list of said fees, as charged, is on file and may be made available by the Construction Official.
[1]
The fee for a certificate of compliance for elevators upon satisfactory completion shall be $28.
(9)
Mechanical:
(a)
New water heater: $52.
(b)
Fuel oil connection: $68.
(c)
Gas/oil piping connections: $69 First outlet; $16 Each additional outlet.
(d)
New boiler: $68.
(e)
New furnace: $68.
(f)
New air conditioning: $52.
(g)
Oil tank (under 2,000 gal): $78.
(h)
LPG tank: $78.
(i)
Gas logs or gas log lighter: $68.
(j)
Generator: $50.
(k)
Chimney liner: $53.
(l)
The minimum mechanical subcode fee: $51.
(10)
Electrical.
(a)
Electrical fixtures and devices:
[1]
From one to 50 receptacles, fixtures and switches: $66.
[2]
Increments of 25 additional items: $12.
For the purpose of computing this fee, the term "receptacles, fixtures and switches" shall include: Lighting outlets, smoke detectors, heat detectors, intercom devices, thermostats, telephone outlets, fluorescent fixtures, pool bonding, burglar alarm devices, CRT outlets, and light standards.
(c)
Electrical devices, includes transformers and generators:
[1]
Greater than 1 kw or less than or equal to 10 kw: $17.
[2]
Greater than 10 kw or less than or equal to 45 kw: $53.
[3]
Greater than 45 hp or less than or equal to 112.5 hp: $106.
[4]
Greater than 112.5 hp: $530.
[5]
For the purpose of computing this fee, typical electric device sizes are listed below. (Source: 2015 NEC) (NOTE!! ACTUAL NAMEPLATE KW RATING MUST BE NOTED ON APPLICATION TO ASSURE NO DELAY IN PERMIT ISSUANCE.** AVERAGE FIELD RATINGS):
Average Field Ratings: |
Electric dryer: 5.0 kw |
Electric range: 10.8 kw |
Surface units: 5.1 kw |
Geo-thermal: kw range of 3.8 to 19.2 |
Electric baseboard heat, greater than four-foot length: 1.3 kw |
Hard-wired microwave ovens: 1.44 kw |
Hot water heater: 4.5 kw |
Central air (per ton): 1.4 kw |
Dishwasher: 1.2 kw |
Heat Pump: 2.6 to 7.4 kw |
Radiant Heat 1.3 kw |
(11)
Zoning and resale permits:
(c)
Fence permits under six feet: $57.
(d)
Shed permits (under 200 square feet): $57.
(e)
Real estate signs: $27.
(f)
Special zoning sale permits: $80.
(g)
Patio/Driveways: $57.
(h)
Retaining walls under 4' in height: $57.
(i)
Outdoor seating: $57.
(j)
Zoning letter of compliance for commercial properties: $292.
(k)
Temporary sign: $27.
(l)
Temporary structure, tent or canopy: $57 each.
(m)
POD: $26.
(12)
Police.
(b)
Contract escort service: $100 per trip (within Borough limits).
(e)
(g)
Variable message board: $150 per day or any part thereof.
(13)
Engineering.
(a)
Tax maps: $10 per sheet.
(b)
Copies up to 24 inches by 36 inches: $10 per sheet.
(c)
Lot grading:
[1]
Initial lot grading plan review: $400.
[2]
Per each subsequent revised plan: $50.
[3]
A deposit of $500 shall be posted in escrow with the Borough to cover the review and inspections of the property by the Borough Engineer for purposes of determining compliance with the approved plan. At a minimum, three inspections will be performed: one prior to construction; one during construction; one after the completion of construction. Review and inspection costs shall be billed to the permit holder at the hourly rate as agreed to and approved by the Borough's Engineering Professional Service Agreement; provided, however, the total cost of the lot grading plan review for any single family residence encompassing a disturbance of 1/2 acre or less shall not exceed $1,000, such fee being separate and distinct from the fee for site inspections whose costs shall not be capped by the $1,000 limit set forth herein.
(15)
Community activities.
(16)
Miscellaneous.
(a)
Applicants requiring official municipal action for private purposes relative to clearing title of real estate or otherwise requiring adoption of an ordinance by the Borough of New Providence shall, upon determination of the Borough Council, be billed for the publication costs of said ordinance and such legal and engineering fees, if any, which may be occasioned to the Borough in providing the requested municipal relief.
(b)
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5c, a special service charge may be imposed if the nature, manner of collection, or volume of a government record is such that it cannot be reproduced by ordinary document-copying equipment in ordinary business size or involves an extraordinary expenditure of time and effort to accommodate request.