[Adopted 3-14-1977 by Ord. No. 0-77-7]
There is hereby established in and for the Township,
pursuant to the State Uniform Construction Code Act (P.L. 1975, c.
217; N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.), a state uniform construction code
enforcing agency, which shall be known as the "Plainsboro Township
Construction Code Enforcing Agency (hereinafter referred to as the
"Enforcing Agency"). The Enforcing Agency shall consist of the Construction
Official, the Building Subcode Official, the Electrical Subcode Official,
the Fire Protection Subcode Official, and 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, and such employees, assistants and
staff as are required by said officials. The Construction Official
shall be the chief administrator of the Enforcing Agency, and after
consultation with the subcode officials, he may adopt such rules of
procedure and for the internal governance of the Enforcing Agency
as are not inconsistent with the law, regulation or this article.
The Construction Official, the subcode officials
and the employees, assistants and staff supporting them need not work
exclusively for the Enforcing Agency, nor need they be located in
one office or building. However, for purposes of enforcement of the
State Uniform Construction Code and regulations pertaining thereto,
all such persons, wherever located, shall be subject to the procedures
and policies of the Enforcing Agency, and the subcode officials, employees,
assistants and staff shall be primarily responsible to the Construction
Official. Furthermore, regardless of whether the aforementioned personnel
are dispersed in different locations, the public shall have the right
to do business at one enforcing agency center, except in case of emergency
or unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances. Such central office shall
be designated by the Construction Official after consultation with
the Township Committee. Any reorganization necessary to provide for
the coordination of dispersed personnel, so as to enable the Enforcing
Agency to take timely action in the performance of its duties, is
delegated to the Township Committee.
[Added 6-11-2008 by Ord. No. 0-08-10]
A. At the time any building permit is issued, the building
code official will provide the applicant/permittee with written instructions
regarding the proper disposal and recycling of construction and demolition
waste.
B. The building code official will also provide the applicant/permittee
with a copy of the Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management's
(MCDSWM) "Notification of Construction/Demolition Activity Form."
The form must be completed by the applicant/permittee and received
by the MCDSWM within 48 hours of the issuance of the building permit.
[Amended 5-11-1981 by Ord. No. 0-81-10; 4-11-1983 by Ord. No. 0-83-6; 11-12-1984 by Ord. No. 0-84-20; 4-14-1986 by Ord. No. 0-86-4; 4-8-1992 by Ord. No. 0-92-04; 6-9-2004 by Ord. No. 0-04-10; 11-7-2007 by Ord. No.
0-07-18; 7-8-2015 by Ord. No. 0-15-08]
A. Enforcing
Agency fees shall be as follows:
(1) Plan review fee. The fee for plan review shall be 20% of the amount to be charged for a new construction permit except that the elevator service plan review shall be as in Subsections
A(6) and
(7) below. The plan review fee shall be paid at the time of granting the permit.
(2) The basic construction fee shall be in the sum of the parts computed
on the basis of the volume or cost of construction, the number of
plumbing fixtures and pieces of equipment, the number of electrical
fixtures and devices and the number of sprinklers, standpipes and
fire alarm devices at the unit rates provided herein plus any special
fees.
(a) Building volume or cost:
[1]
Fees for new construction shall be based upon the volume of the structure. Volume shall be computed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.28. The new construction fee shall be in the amount of $0.040 per cubic foot of volume of buildings and structures of all uses and types of construction as classified and defined in Chapters
3 and
6 of the Building Subcode. The unit rate for large, open-volume buildings, such as barns, silos, greenhouses, warehouses, distribution centers, and other agricultural, recreational, and storage use buildings shall be in the amount of $0.035 per cubic foot of volume.
[a]
A minimum building subcode fee for additions shall be $200.
[2]
The fee shall be $0.011 per cubic foot for structures on farms,
including commercial farm buildings under N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.2(d).
[3]
Fees for renovations, alterations and repairs or site construction
associated with pre-engineered systems of commercial farm buildings,
premanufactured construction, and the external utility connections
for pre-manufactured construction shall be based upon the estimated
cost of the work. The fees shall be in the amount of $25 per $1,000
up to and including $100,000. Above $100,000, the additional fee shall
be in the amount of $22 per $1,000 of the estimated cost.
[a]
The fee shall be in the amount of $18 per $1,000 for all renovations,
alterations and repairs for one- or two-family owner-occupied structures
(Use R-5 of the building subcode). For the purpose of determining
estimated cost, the applicant shall submit to the enforcing agency
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
department shall make the final decision regarding estimated cost.
[4]
Fees for additions shall be computed on the basis as for new
construction for the added portion.
[5]
Fees for combination renovations and additions shall be computed as the sum of the fees computed separately, in accordance with Subsections
A(2)(a)[1] and
[3] above.
[6]
The fee for a tent, in excess of 16,800 square feet or more
than 140 feet in any dimension, shall be $250.
[7]
The fee for aboveground swimming pools, not included in Subsection
A(2)(a)[8] below, shall be based on the cost per $1,000 as in Subsection
A(2)(a)[3] above.
[8]
Flat fees for R-5 only:
[f]
Storage sheds:
[i] Less than 200 square feet: $75.
[ii] Two hundred square feet or greater: $100.
[g]
Retaining wall: as per N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.20.
[h]
Wooden deck: Subsection A(2)(a)(3)[a] above.
(b) Plumbing fixtures and equipment:
[1]
The fee shall be in the amount of $20 per fixture, vent or stack, 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
A(2)(b)[2] below. For the purpose of computing this fee, fixtures, pieces of equipment or appliances connected to the plumbing system shall include but not be limited to water closets, urinals, bidets, lavatories, sinks, showers, floor drains, washing machines, dishwashers, mixing valves, residential water heaters, residential gas-fired appliances, hose bibs, residential backflow preventers, drinking fountains, replacement or installation of residential heat exchangers and condensing units, residential solar systems, roof drains, storm drains, hydronic fan coil units.
[2]
The fee shall be $100 per special device. For the purpose of
computing this fee, special devices shall include but not be limited
to grease traps, oil, sand, or other type separators and interceptors,
sewage ejectors, booster pumps, commercial refrigeration units, and
air-conditioning units, commercial-industrial solar systems, backflow
preventers equipped with test ports (double check valve assembly,
reduced pressure zone and pressure vacuum breaker backflow preventer),
commercial steam boilers, commercial steam generators, commercial
hot-water boilers (excluding those for domestic water heating), commercial
hot-water heaters and active solar systems. There shall be no inspection
fee charged for gas service entrances.
[3]
The fee for connection to or demolition of a connection to a
sewer, septic or water utility connection shall be $75.
[4]
The fee for a mechanical inspection in a one- or two-family
owner-occupied structure (Use R-5 of the building Subcode) by a mechanical
inspector shall be $75 for the first device and $15 for each additional
device. No separate fee shall be charged for gas, fuel oil, or water
piping connections associated with the mechanical equipment inspected.
(c) Electrical fixtures and devices.
[1]
For the first block consisting of one to 25 receptacles, fixtures
or devices, the fee shall be $75; for each additional block consisting
of up to 25 receptacles, fixtures or devices, the fee shall be $25.
For the purpose of computing this fee, receptacles, fixtures or devices
shall include lighting fixtures, wall switches, convenience receptacles,
sensors, dimmers, alarm devices, smoke and heat detectors, communication
outlets, light standards eight feet or less in height, including luminaries,
emergency lights, electric signs, exit lights or similar electric
fixtures and devices rated 20 amperes or less, including motors or
equipment rated less than one horsepower (hp) or one kilowatt (kw).
[2]
For each motor or electrical device rated from one hp or one
kw to 10 hp or 10 kw; for each transformer or generator rated from
one kw to 10 kw; for each replacement of wiring involving one branch
circuit or part thereof; for each storable pool or hydro massage bathtub;
for each underwater lighting fixture; for household electric cooking
equipment rated up to 16 kw; for each fire, security or burglar alarm
control unit; for each light standard greater than eight feet in height,
including luminaries; and for each communications closet, the fee
shall be $20.
[3]
For each motor or electrical device rated from greater than
10 hp or 10 kw to 50 hp or 50 kw; for each service equipment, panel
board, switch board, switch gear, motor control center or disconnecting
means rated 200 amperes or less; for each transformer or generator
rated from greater than 10 kw or to 45 kw; for each electric sign
rated from greater than 20 amperes to 200 amperes, including associated
disconnecting means; for each receptacle rated greater than 50 amperes;
and for each utility load management device, the fee shall be $75.
[4]
For each motor or electrical device rated from greater than
50 hp or 50 kw to 100 hp or 100 kw; for each service equipment, panel
board, switch board, switch gear, motor control center or disconnecting
means rated from greater than 200 amperes to 800 amperes; and for
each transformer or generator rated from greater than 45 kw to 112.5
kw, the fee shall be $150.
[5]
For each motor or electrical device rated greater than 100 hp
or 100 kw; or each service equipment, panel board, switch board, switch
gear, motor control center or disconnecting means rated greater than
800 amperes; and for each transformer or generator rated greater than
112.5 kw, the fee shall be $600.
[6]
The 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 $75 (new regulations require up to two additional inspections) which shall include any required bonding, and associated equipment such as filter pumps, motors, disconnecting means, switches, required receptacles and heaters, etc., excepting panel boards and underwater lighting fixtures. For public swimming pools, the fee shall be charged on the basis of number of electrical fixtures and rating of electrical devices involved in accordance with Subsection
A(2)(c)[1] through
[5] above.
[7]
The fee charged for the installation of single- and multiple-station smoke alarms or heat detectors and fire, burglar or security alarm systems in any one- or two-family structure (Use R-5 of the building code) shall be a flat fee of $50 per dwelling unit. For fire, burglar and security alarm systems and detectors in buildings other than one- or two-family structures, the fee shall be charged in accordance with Subsection
A(2)(c)[1] through
[5] above.
[8]
The fee charged for underground wiring shall be $20 per 100
feet.
(d) Fire protection. For fire protection and hazardous equipment, sprinklers,
standpipes, fire alarm devices such as but not limited to manual pull
stations, smoke and heat detectors, water flow devices, tamper switches,
pre-engineered suppression systems, gas- or oil-fired appliances not
connected to the plumbing system, kitchen exhaust systems, incinerators
and crematoriums, the fee shall be as follows:
[1]
The fee for 20 or fewer sprinkler heads shall be $91; 21 to
100 sprinkler heads, the fee shall be $168; 101 to 200 sprinkler heads,
the fee shall be $321; 201 to 400 sprinklers heads, the fee shall
be $831; 401 to 1,000 sprinkler heads, the fee shall be $1,150; over
1,000 sprinkler heads, the fee shall be $1,469.
[2]
The fee for each fire suppression standpipe shall be $300.
[3]
The fee for a fire pump shall be $250.
[4]
The fee for a private underground fire main shall be $200.
[5]
The fee for the installation of each private fire hydrant shall
be $125.
[6]
The fee for smoke, carbon monoxide, and heat detectors and other
initiating devices shall be as follows:
[e]
Each additional block of 25 devices shall be $50.
[7]
The fee for each independent pre-engineered system shall be
$200.
[8]
The fee for each kitchen exhaust system shall be as follows:
[9]
The fee for each gas- or oil-fired appliance, such as a furnace
or a gas fireplace, that is not connected to the plumbing system shall
be $75.
[10]
The fee for each fire alarm control panel shall be $125.
[11]
The fee for the removal, replacement or installation of a flammable
or combustible liquid storage tank shall be as follows:
[12]
The fee for the installation of portable fire extinguishers
as required under the Fire Subcode shall be as follows:
[e] Each additional block of 25 shall be $50.
[13]
For any other work requiring a permit not specified in Subsection
A(2)[d][1] through [12] above shall be $30 per thousand dollars of
estimated cost.
[14]
The fee for replacement of an existing transmission means as
per N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.17A(c)5v shall be $35.
(3) Fees for certificates and other permits are as follows:
(a) The fee for demolition or removal of a building 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 structure (Use R-5 of the building
subcode), and structures on farms, including commercial farm buildings
under N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.2(d), and $250 for all other use groups. For
the purpose of this section, "demolition" shall mean the razing of
a building. This fee is in addition to any fees charged under electric
and plumbing for the disconnecting of utilities associated with a
building.
(b) The fee for a permit to construct a sign shall be in the amount of
$3 per square foot of surface area of the sign, computed on one side
only for double-faced signs. The minimum fee shall be $75.
(c) The fee for a certificate of occupancy shall be in the amount of
10% of the new construction permit fee that would be charged by the
enforcing agency. The minimum fee shall be $120; except for one- and
two-family owner-occupied structures (Use R-5 of the building subcode)
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. 5:23-3.2(d), for which the minimum fee shall be $65.
(d) The fee for a certificate of occupancy granted pursuant to a change
of use shall be $250.
(e) The fee for a certificate of continued occupancy issued under N.J.A.C.
5:23-2.23(e) in accordance with Bulletin 06-1 shall be $250.
(f) The fee for the first issuance and the renewal of a temporary certificate
of occupancy shall be $30.
[1]
Exception: There shall be no fee for the first issuance of the
temporary certificate of occupancy, provided the certificate of occupancy
fee is paid at that time.
(g) The fee for plan review of a building for compliance under the alternate
systems and nondepletable energy source provisions of the energy subcode
shall be $400 for one- or two-family structures (Use R-5 of the building
subcode), and for light commercial structures having the indoor temperature
controlled from a single point, and $2,000 for all other structures.
(h) The fee for an application for a variation in accordance with N.J.A.C.
5:23-2.10 shall be $821 for Class I structures and $120 for Class
II and Class III structures. The fee for resubmission of an application
for a variation shall be $321 for Class I structures and $91 for Class
II and Class III structures.
(i) The fee for a permit for lead hazard abatement work shall be $196.
(j) The fee for a lead abatement clearance certificate shall be $39.
(k)
The minimum fee for a subcode technical section shall be $75.
(l)
The fee for a change of contractor shall be $25 per subcode.
(4) For cross-connections and backflow preventers that are subject to
testing, requiring reinspection annually, the fee shall be $60 for
each device when they are tested.
(5) Annual permit fee requirements are as follows:
(a) The fee to be charged for an annual construction permit shall be
charged annually. This fee shall be a flat 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.
(b) Fees for annual permits shall be as follows:
[1]
One to 25 workers (including foremen), $933 for each worker;
each additional worker over 25, $329/worker.
[2]
Prior to the issuance of the annual permit, a training registration
fee of $196 per subcode and a list of not more than three individuals
to be trained per subcode shall be submitted to the Department of
Community Affairs, Bureau of Code Services, Education Unit, along
with a copy of the construction permit (Form F170). Checks shall be
made payable to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey." The Department shall
register these individuals and notify them of the courses being offered.
(6) The fee for plan review for elevator devices in structures in one-
or two-family structures (Use R-5 of the building subcode) and for
elevator devices wholly within dwelling units in Use R-2 structures
of the building code shall be $70 for each device.
(7) The fee for plan review for elevator devices in structures in uses other than one- or two-family owner occupied structures (Use R-5 of the building subcode) and devices in Use R-2 structures exempted by Subsection
A(6) above shall be $365 for each device.
(8) The fees for elevator device inspections and tests shall be as set
forth in N.J.A.C. 5:23-12.
(9) The fee for the annual electrical inspection of swimming pools, spas
or hot tubs shall be $125.
B. The
Construction Official shall, with the advice of the subcode officials,
prepare and submit to the Township Committee annually 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.
C. In
order to provide for the training, certification 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 $0.00371 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. The fee for all other construction shall be $1.90
per $1,000 of value of construction. The municipality shall remit
fees to the Bureau on a quarterly basis, in conjunction with report
number R-840B, State Training Fee Report, in accordance with N.J.A.C.
5:23-4.5(e). Fees remitted shall be for the quarter. Checks shall
be made payable to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey."
D. 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.
E. Whenever
the Township uses a private on-site inspection and plan review agency,
an administrative surcharge of 15% shall be added to the above fees.
This surcharge shall apply only to subcode areas for which the Township
has a contract with an on-site agency.
F. All
fees shall be rounded to the nearest dollar amount.
G. Enforcing
Agency fees shall be waived in the following instances:
(1) Construction contracted for or conducted by the Township.
(2) The erection or alteration of any public building by a county, municipality,
school board or any agency or instrumentality thereof (except that
nothing contained in this section shall be interpreted as preventing
the imposition of a fee upon a board of education for the review of
plans submitted to the Township pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A.
52:27D-140).
(3) The construction or rehabilitation of housing units for occupancy
by low- or moderate-income households by a New Jersey nonprofit corporation.
(4) Any construction, reconstruction, alteration or improvement designed
and undertaken solely to promote accessibility by the handicapped
to an existing public or private structure or any of the facilities
contained therein.
H. Fees for development-wide inspections of homes after issuance of
a certificate of occupancy shall be in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.17(d).
[Adopted 2-10-1999 by Ord. No. 0-99-01]
For the purposes of this article, the following
definitions shall apply:
DISABLED PERSON
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 Township who is disabled
pursuant to the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 416),
or the federal Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 (45 U.S.C. § 231
et. seq.), or is rated as having a 60% disability, or higher, pursuant
to any federal law administered by the United States Veterans' Act.
For the purposes of this definition, "blindness" means central visual
acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting
lens. An eye which is accompanied by a limitation in the fields of
vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends
an angle no greater than 20° shall be considered as having a central
visual acuity of 20/200 or less.
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 his or her own living unit.
This article specifically excludes accessibility
improvements made to buildings or structures devoted to commercial
use.