What is the construction permit process?
What is the construction permit process?
Step 1: The Township Zoning Officer completes the zoning review. Step 2: The required documents are submitted to the construction department, Grading Plan (if required) is to be submitted directly to the Engineering Department for review and approval. Step 3: After the Zoning and Engineering approval, the documents are reviewed by the building, electrical, plumbing and fire subcode officials for completeness and code conformance. This process may take up to twenty working days. Minor work such as roofing and siding require minimal plan review. Usually, the permit is issued within a week. If the documents do not comply with the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), the applicant will be notified of the violations and required to correct and resubmit the documents for further review. Applicants must contact Engineering Department directly for any comments to the Grading Plan (if required). Step 4: The permit is issued indicating that legal approval has been given to begin the construction project. State law mandates that the Construction Official issue a fine of up to $2000 to any person who performs work without a permit if the construction is of a nature which requires a permit.
INSPECTION DURING CONSTRUCTION: New construction usually requires the following inspections:
- Footing excavation prior to pouring concrete
- Foundation wall prior to backfilling
- Rough plumbing and electrical prior to framing and insulation
- Rough framing
- Insulation prior to installing sheetrock
For renovations and projects other than new construction, contact the Construction Department for inspection requirements.
OBLIGATIONS DURING CONSTRUCTION: Inspectors must have 72 hours advance notice and must be able to see the part of construction required to be inspected. Any work which does not conform to the approved plans will require re-inspection. If the work continues without resolving the problem the applicant will be fined and the job stopped. Applicants are required to post the permit prominently on the site and to keep the original copy of the approved plans at the site.
When the project is completed, the applicant must call for final building, electrical, plumbing and fire inspections.
Applicants must contact Engineering Department directly to schedule final site inspection. The applicant must also apply for a certificate of occupancy.
If the work is approved, a certificate will be issued indicating permission to use the area for the intended purpose.
PROPERTY MUST BE PROPERLY IDENTIFIED: House number conspicuously displayed for viewing from the street and construction placard conspicuously displayed on the building.
For more info go to the Building Department page
Anthony Monguso, Construction Code Official
Annely I Gomez, Licensed Technical Assistant Austin Urban, Office Assistant
Engineering Annex Building
20 North Trivett Avenue
Springfield, New Jersey 07081-1729
973-912-2220