[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Norwood as Ch. IX of the Revised General Ordinances. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
There is hereby established in the borough a State Uniform Construction Code enforcing agency to be known as "Norwood Construction Code Department," consisting of a Construction 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 State Uniform Construction Code. The Construction 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 and supplemented[1] and N.J.A.C. 5:23 et seq., 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 the above cited laws and regulations 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 of whom shall be a registered architect or licensed professional engineer of building construction experience. At least one member shall be as qualified as a plumbing subcode official and at least one member shall be 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 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 Borough Council shall appoint the Board members and any alternative members. For the member first appointed, the Borough Council shall designate the appointees' term 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 terms of four years. At the expiration of such terms, and thereafter, appointments shall be made for terms of four years each. All vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term. The Borough Council shall appoint such number of alternatives, as may be appropriate, for terms not to exceed four years or, in the alternative, may appoint alternates on a case-by-case basis. 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.
C. 
The members of the Board shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed for all expenses incurred as a result of their duties.
[Amended by Ord. No. 84-0-18; Ord. No. 90-0-04; 3-9-2006 by Ord. No. 06:02;4-6-2010 by Ord. No. 10:05; 10-23-2024 by Ord. No. 2024:12; 8-20-2025 by Ord. No. 2025:10]
A. 
The fee for a construction permit shall be the sum of the subcode fees listed in Subsections B, C, D, E and F hereof and shall be paid before the permit is issued. In addition thereto, for all plans received, the following base fee shall be paid:
(1) 
Filing fee, residential construction plans: $15.
(2) 
Filing fee, commercial construction plans: $30.
(3) 
Review fee, residential construction plans: 20% of permit fee.
(4) 
Review fee, commercial construction plans: 20% of permit fee.
B. 
Building Subcode Fees shall be as follows:
Description
Fee
New construction/renovation cubic foot
$0.066
Renovation alteration cubic foot
$0.066
New construction minimum fee
$200.00
Renovation alteration per $1,000.00
$25.00
Renovation minimum fee
$75.00
Demolition of a structure
$200.00
CO fee residential
$100.00
CO fee commercial
10% of the permit fee
Escrow collected for engineering
$1,800.00
Escrow collected for engineering other uses
$2,500.00
Escrow collected for engineering square feet
< 400 square feet
Asbestos removal
Min $50.00
Decks
Min $50.00
Fence
$50.00
Tents
$92.00
(1) 
For new construction: $0.066 per cubic foot of building or structure volume, provided that the minimum fee shall be $200 for principal buildings and $75 for accessory structures.
(2) 
For renovations, alterations and repairs: $25 per $1,000 of estimated cost of the work, provided that the minimum fee shall be $75. For determining estimated cost, the applicant shall submit to the Department such cost data as may be available, produced by the architect or engineer of record or by a recognized estimating firm or by the contractor. A bona fide contractor's bid, if available, shall be submitted. The Construction Official shall make the final decision regarding estimated cost.
(3) 
For combinations of renovations and additions: the sum of the fees computed separately as renovations and additions.
(4) 
Swimming pool fees: up to $50,000: $24/$1,000; and more than $50,000: $18/$1,000. For in-ground and aboveground swimming pools, each applicant will deposit a fee of $500 and thereafter maintain an escrow account of not less than $500 with the Borough to reimburse the Borough for the cost of site and grade plan review to be made by the Borough Engineer for preconstruction approvals. The unused portion, if any, of this deposit shall be returned to the applicant upon completion and final approval of the improvements. This fee shall be in addition to the permit fees required for the pool erection and any accessory building. The construction costs will also be issued, and the plans will be reviewed by the Building Department.
(5) 
For all construction modifying the footprint of any principal building or structure greater than 400 square feet, each applicant will deposit a fee of $1,800 for one-family and two-family residential dwellings and $2,500 for all other uses, and thereafter maintain an escrow account of not less than the applicable amount set forth herein with the Borough, to reimburse the Borough for the cost of site and grade plan review to be made by the Borough Engineer for preconstruction and postconstruction approvals. The unused portion, if any, of the escrow deposit shall be returned to the applicant upon completion and final approval of the improvements. This fee shall be in addition to the permit fees that are otherwise required by the Building Department.
C. 
Electric Subcode fees shall be as follows:
(1) 
Fixtures.
Type of Fixtures
Units
Fee
Communication points
1-25
$65.00
Fractional motors
1-25
$65.00
Lighting
1-25
$65.00
Receptacles
1-25
$65.00
Smoke detectors
1-25
$65.00
Switches
1-25
$65.00
Thermostats
1-25
$65.00
Additional fixtures
Each additional 25
$50.00
(2) 
KW Electrical appliances/devices/generators/transformers/disconnects.
Kilowatts
Over 1 to 10
$30.00
11 to 45
$90.00
46 to 112.5
$250.00
Over 112.5
$500.00
(3) 
Motors/pumps/heat pumps.
Horsepower
1 to 10
$50.00
11 to 50
$75.00
51 to 100
$100.00
Over 100
$500.00
(4) 
Service panels/service entrance/subpanels/motor controls.
Amperes
1 to 150
$150.00
151 to 200
$250.00
201 to 1,000
$250.00
Over 1,000
$750.00
(5) 
Photovoltaic systems (solar).
Modules
Module panels
1-20
$75.00
Each additional 20
$35.00
Energy Storage Systems Kilowatts
1 to 10
$75.00
11 to 45
$150.00
46 to 112.5
$300.00
Over 112.5
$450.00
Disconnects, Meters and Inverters, Junction Box Amperes
1 to 100 amps
$75.00
101 to 200 amps
$125.00
Photovoltaic KW Ratings
1 to 50
$65.00
51 to 100
$130.00
Gateway
$75.00
(6) 
Swimming pools.
Annual pool inspections
$150.00
Bonding
$100.00
Filter motor (1 HP and Up)
$50.00
Lights
$65.00
Water heater - elec.
$50.00
Water supply
$48.00
Whirlpool/spa
$125.00
(7) 
Miscellaneous.
Burglar alarm
ea.
$75.00
Light poles
ea.
$25.00
Rain sensor
ea.
$25.00
Hot tub/spa (Aboveground)
ea.
$150.00
Signs
ea.
$50.00
Transfer switch
ea.
$100.00
Water heater
ea.
$50.00
Minimum fee
$80.00
D. 
Plumbing Subcode Fees shall be as follows:
Units
Fee
A/C Units including split systems
ea.
$125.00
Backflow preventer commercial w/ports
ea.
$150.00
Backflow preventers
ea.
$100.00
Bathtub
ea.
$25.00
Central air
ea.
$100.00
Chimney liner
ea.
$75.00
Condensate line
ea.
$50.00
Devices
ea.
$25.00
Dishwasher commercial
ea.
$125.00
Dishwasher residential
ea.
$25.00
Disposal units
ea.
$100.00
Drinking fountain
ea.
$25.00
Fuel oil piping
ea.
$100.00
Gas heating systems
ea.
$55.00
Gas service connection
ea.
$100.00
Gas piping residential
ea.
$75.00
1.) Gas piping residential each additional
ea.
$30.00
Gas piping commercial
ea.
$150.00
1.) Gas piping commercial each additional
ea.
$40.00
Generator
ea.
$100.00
Grease traps
ea.
$100.00
Hose bib
ea.
$30.00
Hot air furnace
ea.
$100.00
Hot water boilers * excluding domestic water heating
ea.
$175.00
Hot water heater
ea.
$100.00
Humidifier
ea.
$25.00
Interceptors
ea.
$75.00
Lavatory
ea.
$25.00
LP gas tank
ea.
$75.00
Medical gas piping
ea.
$100.00
Oil separators
ea.
$150.00
Oil tank
ea.
$75.00
Refrigeration units
ea.
$100.00
Sewer connection
ea.
$100.00
Sewer pumps
ea.
$75.00
Shower
ea.
$25.00
Shower/floor drain
ea.
$25.00
Sink
ea.
$25.00
Stack
ea.
$40.00
Steam boilers
ea.
$75.00
Sump pump and pit
ea.
$75.00
Swimming pool heaters
ea.
$100.00
Swimming pool main drain
ea.
$100.00
Underground inspection
ea.
$30.00
Washing machine
ea.
$25.00
Water closet/bidet/urinals
ea.
$25.00
Water cooled A/C units
ea.
$100.00
Water cooler
ea.
$30.00
Water heaters and tankless heaters
ea.
$100.00
Water service connection
ea.
$100.00
Water softeners
ea.
$75.00
Minimum fee
$80.00
E. 
Fire Subcode fees shall be as follows:
Sprinkler Heads
Units
Fee
1 to 20
$150.00
21 to 100
$250.00
101 to 200
$350.00
201 to 400
$700.00
401 to 1,000
$850.00
Over 1,000
$950.00
Heat/Smoke Detectors (Signaling Devices)
Units
Fee
1 to 12
$125.00
Each additional 12
$50.00
Units
Fee
Boilers
ea.
$75.00
Chimneys
ea.
$75.00
CO2 suppression
ea.
$65.00
Dry pipe alarm valves
ea.
$65.00
Diesel tanks
ea.
$125.00
Dry chemical
ea.
$65.00
Each independent pre-engineered system
ea.
$150.00
Exit signs and emergency lighting
ea.
$25.00
Fire alarm panel
ea.
$125.00
Fireplace
ea.
$75.00
Fire pump
ea.
$65.00
FM200 suppression
ea.
$65.00
Foam suppression
ea.
$65.00
Fuel-fired appliance
ea.
$75.00
Gas or oil-fired appliance
ea.
$75.00
Gasoline pumps
ea.
$50.00
Gasoline tanks (flammable/combustible)
ea.
$125.00
Hot tar kettle
ea.
$75.00
Incinerator/crematorium
ea.
$300.00
Independent pre-engineered system
ea.
$150.00
Kitchen exhaust system
ea.
$100.00
Oil tanks
ea.
$75.00
Pre-action valves
ea.
$65.00
Smoke control system
ea.
$65.00
Standpipe
ea.
$300.00
Tank removal (Storage Tanks)
ea.
$150.00
Wet chemical
ea.
$65.00
Wood or coal stoves
ea.
$75.00
Minimum fee
$80.00
F. 
Mechanical Subcode fees shall be as follows:
Units
Fee
A/C unit
ea.
$125.00
Chimney liner
ea.
$100.00
Fuel oil piping
ea.
$75.00
Gas fireplace
ea.
$100.00
Gas piping
ea.
$75.00
Generator
ea.
$125.00
Hot air furnace
ea.
$150.00
Hot water boiler
ea.
$150.00
HVAC
ea.
$125.00
Hydronic and radiant heat piping
ea.
$100.00
LPG tank
ea.
$150.00
Oil tank
ea.
$100.00
Pool heater
ea.
$100.00
Steam boiler
ea.
$150.00
Water heater
ea.
$100.00
Minimum fee
$80.00
G. 
The fee for a permit for installation of an elevator shall be $200. The fees for elevator testing and inspection shall be as published in the Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23-12.5.
H. 
The fee for plan review will be 20% of the amount to be charged for the construction permit and shall be paid before the plans are reviewed. The amount paid for this fee shall be credited toward the amount of the fee to be charged for the construction permit.
I. 
The fee for a permit for demolition of a building or structure shall be $5 per $1,000 with a minimum of $100 for a principal building and $5 per $1,000 with a minimum of $50 for an accessory building.
J. 
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 $10 per $1,000 of the sum of the estimated costs for moving, for new foundations and for placement in a complete condition in the new location, provided that the minimum fee shall be $100.
K. 
The fee for a permit to construct a sign shall be $2.50 per square foot of surface area of the sign, provided that the minimum fee shall be $50. In the case of a double-faced sign, the area of the surface of only one side of the sign shall be used for purposes of the fee computation.
L. 
Certificate of occupancy.
(1) 
The fee for a certificate of continued occupancy letter shall be $150.
(2) 
The fee for a temporary certificate of occupancy shall be $100 per 30-day period. No temporary certificate of occupancy shall extend beyond 90 days in duration.
(3) 
The fee for a change of use of occupancy in any nonresidential building shall be $200.
(4) 
The fee for each commercial certificate of occupancy shall be 10% of the fee charged for the construction permit, provided that the minimum fee shall be $100.
M. 
The fee for each reinspection of a final inspection made by any of the inspectors, including building, fire, electrical, plumbing and heating, shall be $50.
N. 
The fee for an application for a variation in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.10 shall be $423 for Class I structure and $85 for Class II and Class III structures. The fee for resubmission of an application for a variation shall be $163 for Class I structures and $46 for Class II and III structures.
O. 
To provide the training, certifications and technical support programs required by the Uniform Construction Code Act and the regulations, the enforcing agency shall collect, in addition to the fees specified above, a surcharge fee of $0.0014 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 3rd and 4th quarters only.
The Construction Official shall prepare and submit to the Borough Council, biannually, a report reevaluating the delineation of the fire limits within the borough. This report shall indicate the recommendation 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. Such report and evaluation or reevaluation shall list boundaries of closely built commercial areas as they exist or are developing, and the governing body, by ordinance, may establish such fire limits thereafter.
A. 
Inspection required. At all times during the course of the erection of any building, the Construction Official shall be permitted access thereto for the purpose of inspecting such building and determining its compliance with the provisions of this chapter and the terms of the application for the building permit. The building permit shall at all times during the erection of the building be posted conspicuously upon the building to which it refers, and if at any time the Construction Official shall determine that the building is being erected or altered or removed in violation of the terms of this chapter, he may remove the permit from the building until such violation is discontinued or removed. All workmen, mechanics and laborers of any description are hereby forbidden to do or perform any work upon any building where a permit for the erection, alteration or removal of the same has been refused, or where a permit has been removed therefrom by reason of violation of this chapter as herein provided, except that such workmen, mechanics or laborers may be employed for the correction or removal of such violation.
[Added 7-2-1986]
B. 
Certificate of occupancy.
(1) 
No land shall be occupied or used nor tenancy changed, and no building hereafter erected or altered shall be occupied or used or tenancy changed, in whole or in part, for any purpose whatsoever, until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued by the Construction Official stating that the building or premises complies with all the provisions of applicable borough ordinances, state statutes and regulations.
(2) 
No change or extension of use and no alteration shall be made in a nonconforming use or premises without a certificate of occupancy having first been issued by the Construction Official that such extension or alteration is in conformity with the provisions of applicable borough ordinances, state statutes and regulations.
(3) 
Notwithstanding the above, no certificate of occupancy shall be required upon change of tenancy in any residential premises, provided that such change does not involve enlargement, expansion or extension of the building structure.
(4) 
Certificates of occupancy shall be issued within 10 days after the erection or alteration of the building shall have been complete. A record of all certificates shall be kept on file in the office of the Construction Official, and copies shall be furnished upon request to any person having a proprietary or tenancy interest in the building affected. The fees for a certificate of occupancy are established in § 98-3K.
(5) 
All fees are collected by the Construction Official for issuance of certificates of occupancy, and copies thereof shall be remitted by the Construction Official to the Borough Treasurer at the end of each quarterly period throughout the year.