Construction Department
Fredon Township
Building Department
HOW TO OBTAIN
YOUR CONSTRUCTION PERMITS FOR:
ADDITIONS, GARAGES,
DORMERS, ETC.
Once you have
decided to add onto your home, the following steps should be taken:
Fredon Township
Building Department
HOW TO OBTAIN
YOUR CONSTRUCTION PERMITS FOR:
ADDITIONS, GARAGES,
DORMERS, ETC.
Once you have
decided to add onto your home, the following steps should be taken:
• CONTACT THE
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (973) 383-7025, Ext. #25:
To find out what
the setbacks (the distance from all lot lines) are for your property. This
would determine the size of the addition you could build onto your home.
If your lot is not large enough, the Zoning Department can supply you with
information on how to apply for a variance.
• CONTACT THE
HEALTH DEPARTMENT (973) 579-0370:
For changes to
the septic system which may be required for the proposed addition.
• CONTACT THE
BUILDING DEPARTMENT FOR PERMIT APPLICATIONS
COMPLETE YOUR
APPLICATION FOR A CONSTRUCTION PERMIT ON YOUR ADDITION, ETC.:
• Complete the
manila folder. Inside must be signed and dated by the owner
or contractor.
• Construction
Permit Form - This form can be completed by the owner or the contractor.
• Building Subcode
Form - This form can be completed by the owner or the contractor. Please
give a brief description of the work such as overall dimensions of the
addition, number of and type of rooms. Also, do not forget to include the
cost estimate of the building work.
• Electrical
Subcode Form - This form will be completed, sealed, and signed by a licensed
electrician or by the homeowner if he will be doing the electrical work.
An electrical application must accompany all applications for additions,
garages, and dormers.
• Plumbing Subcode
Form - This form is to be completed, sealed, and signed by a licensed plumber
or by the homeowner if he will be doing the plumbing work.
• Fire Subcode
Form - This form is to be completed by the homeowner and/or contractor.
UPON SUBMISSION
OF THIS APPLICATION FOR REVIEW, ALONG WITH THE ABOVE FORMS, ALSO INCLUDE
THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR MANILA FOLDER:
• Two copies
of plans, either drawn up by the homeowner or signed and sealed by a New
Jersey architect. All plans must be in accordance with the New Jersey Building
Codes, 2006 International Residential Code, NJ Edition.
• One copy of
your existing location survey which shows the location of the house. On
the copy, draw in the location of the addition, the dimensions, and show
the distances of the addition to all property lines.
THE PLANS ARE
TO SHOW:
• Side profile
from the footing to the roof, including front, rear, & 2 side elevations,
and radon provision.
• Pitch of roof,
size of rafters, girders, insulation, radon, etc.
• A floor layout
of rooms, electric and plumbing.
• Existing and
proposed construction should be noted (before and after).
• Food for thought
- Will location of addition require relocation of septic system, oil tanks
and/or well lines?
• For information
on garages, smoke detectors, windows (in bedrooms), stairways, handrails,
and guardrails, see MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
• Energy Code
Compliance – Calculations using Residential Check
APPLY FOR PERMIT:
• Zoning Department
Approval - your application will be forwarded to the Code Enforcement Officer
for review.
• Building Department
Review - Your application will then be ready to be reviewed by the Plumbing,
Electric, Fire and Building Inspectors.
• You will be
informed when your permit is ready as well as the fee for your permit.
• Once the construction
permit is issued, construction may start.
INSPECTIONS REQUIRED
- PLEASE CALL BUILDING DEPARTMENT (973) 383-7025, Ext. #27 TO SCHEDULE
INSPECTION.
• Footings (prior
to the pouring of concrete)
• Foundation/Backfill
(check for plaster and tar, below grade)
• Foundation
& footing drains
• Slab (before
concrete is poured) Not required for detached garages.
• Rough Electric
• Rough Plumbing
(water/air test) (if applicable)
• Frame after
rough electrical and/or plumbing inspections have been approved
• Insulation
(check for proper insulation of heated places and "R" values)
• Final Electric
• Final Plumbing
(smoke test) (if applicable)
• Final Building
(after final electrical and/or final plumbing inspections, when construction
is complete)
• Final Fire
Please note: By
law the Building Department has 72 hours to make inspections. Set up your
inspections so that you will not be held up.
All inspections
are called into the Building Department. (973) 383-7025, Ext. #27
CERTIFICATE OF
OCCUPANCY (C.0.):
NO NEWLY CONSTRUCTED
ADDITION, DORMER, GARAGE OR ALTERED STRUCTURE CAN BE USED AND/OR OCCUPIED
WITHOUT OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
NO CERTIFICATE
OF OCCUPANCY CAN BE ISSUED WITHOUT THE FINAL APPROVALS.
A fine of up
to $2000.00 can be imposed if a structure is occupied before a C.O. is
issued.
In order to obtain
your Certificate of Occupancy for your addition, garage, dormer, etc.,
the following must be obtained: Final Building, electric, Plumbing and/or
Fire Inspections have to be approved.
MISCELLANEOUS
INFORMATION:
PRIVATE GARAGES
• Attached garages
– must have a one (1) hour fire separation between garage and room above
or adjacent living area.
• Attached garage
with no rooms over shall be completely separated from adjacent interior
and attic area by means of 1/2" gypsum board or equivalent applied to garage
side.
• Any appliance
located in a garage of in a basement adjacent to an attached garage must
be installed so the point of ignition is a minimum of 18” above the floor.
• Door opening
protectives shall be 1 3/4" solid core wood door or steel
BEDROOM WINDOWS
& EMERGENCY EGRESS OPENINGS:
• Every sleeping
room must have at least one (1) operable window or exterior door approved
for emergency egress or rescue.
• Egress windows
must have a sill height of not more than 44" above the floor.
• Egress windows
must have a minimum clear opening of 5.7 sq. ft. The minimum net clear
opening height shall be 24". Minimum net clear opening width shall be 20".
• Grade floor
windows may have a minimum net clear opening of 5 sq. ft.
SMOKE DETECTORS:
• All new smoke
detectors must be AC electric with battery back up and must be installed
outside of each separate sleeping area, each bedroom, and on each additional
story of the dwelling, including the basement and cellars and attics that
are used for housing mechanical equipment.
• In dwelling
units with split levels, a smoke detector must be installed on the upper
level, provided the lower level is less than one full story below the upper
level, except that if there is a door between levels, then a detector is
required on each level.
• When alterations
and/or additions occur, the entire building must be provided with smoke
detectors as required for new dwellings.
We hope this
makes the process of obtaining a Building permit somewhat easier to understand.
Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to call
us for advice and assistance. (973) 383-7025, Ext. #27
Fredon Township
Building Department
PROCEDURES FOR
BUILDING YOUR OWN HOME
Once you have
selected the lot on which you plan to construct your new home, the following
steps should be taken:
• CONTACT THE
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (973) 383-7025, Ext. #25
To find out what
the setbacks (the distance from all lot lines) are for your property. This
would determine the size home you could build. If your lot is not large
enough, in accordance with the zoning ordinance, Zoning Department can
supply you with information on how to apply for a variance.
• CONTACT THE
HEALTH DEPARTMENT (973)579-0370:
For information
on percolation tests, soil permeability and soil logs. These tests will
determine lot suitability for septic system design. To apply for your septic
and/or well permit, contact the Sussex County Health Department at (973)
579-0370. A septic and well permit must be issued prior to issuance
of a construction permit.
• APPLY FOR YOUR
DRIVEWAY OPENING PERMIT:
Should your driveway
open out onto a state road, contact the New Jersey Department of Transportation
for a driveway opening permit (609) 530-2875. Should your driveway open
out onto a county road, contact the County Road Department (973) 579-0430
for a driveway opening permit. Should the driveway open out onto a private
road, a permit is not needed. However, contact the Lake Association or
Homeowner's Association in your area and check with them regarding the
driveway opening.
NOW YOU ARE READY
TO APPLY FOR YOUR CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION:
Contact the Building
Department (973) 383-7025, Ext. #27 for your application for a single family
dwelling construction permit.
COMPLETING YOUR
APPLICATION FOR A CONSTRUCTION PERMIT:
• Complete the
manila folder. Read, sign and date the inside cover as well.
• Construction
Permit Form - This form can be completed by the owner or the contractor.
• Building Subcode
Form - This form can be completed by the owner or the contractor.
• Electrical
Subcode Form - This form will be completed, sealed, and signed by a licensed
electrician (or homeowner if the home is to be occupied by himself and
the owner will be doing all the electrical work). Include panel schedule
and DR# from GPU.
• Plumbing Subcode
Form - This form is to be completed, sealed, and signed by a licensed plumber
(or homeowner if the home is to be occupied by himself and the owner will
be doing the plumbing work). Include riser diagram.
• Fire Subcode
Form - This form is to be completed by the homeowner and/or contractor.
ALONG WITH THE
ABOVE FORMS, ALSO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
• Septic Permit
& Well Permit
• Certified Erosion
Plan (Sussex County Soil Permit) if necessary.
Plot Plan - Sealed
by a New Jersey engineer showing the proposed location of the house (as
was submitted to the Health Department).
The plot plan
must show topography of land and all setbacks.
• Two (2) sets
of plans sealed by a New Jersey architect. The homeowner may draw plans
of the home to be occupied by himself.
All plans must
be in accordance with the 2006 International Residential N.J. Edition.
• If you construct
the home yourself, you will not be covered under the New Jersey Homeowner's
Warranty, which registered builders must carry. If this house is sold before
the lapse of 10 years, you must tell the new buyer this house is not covered.
Please note a homeowner cannot build a second house until five years have
lapsed from his first house without a Builder's Registration Card.
FOR MODULAR DWELLING
APPLICATIONS:
All of the above
remain the same except the following:
• ONE (1) copy
of plans with the Stamp of Approval of the Inplant Inspection Agency. This
stamp has to be on each sheet of the Premanufactured System Documentation,
and signed by a designated employee of the agency.
• No plans will
be accepted for modulars without the Stamp of Approval.
• TWO (2) copies
of foundation plans sealed either by a New Jersey architect or engineer.
• No foundation
plans will be accepted without the seal.
THE CONSTRUCTION
PLANS ARE TO SHOW:
FOUR ELEVATIONS
• Foundation
plan showing: footing and foundation wall sizes
• Size &
direction of floor joist
• Column location
and girder size
• Size and location
of windows
• First/Second
Floor Plan showing windows, doors and room sizes
• Typical Section
- showing all details from footing to type of shingle
• Percentage
of glass to exterior wall
• Type of insulation
in ceiling, walls and floors over unheated space, i.e., crawl space
• Location and
size of egress windows
• Location of
smoke detectors
• Slab insulation
on grade
• Tar paper
• Joist/rafter
size
• Plywood, type
siding, block size, footing size, insulation
• Total volume
• Factor of exterior
walls & ceilings
• Plumbing and
electrical schematics are to be provided as well as
• H.V.A.C. specifications
and calculations
• Compliance
with Radon Hazard Subcode
REVIEW OF APPLICATION:
Once the above
application is complete, submit it to the Building Department for review.
(If any of the above is omitted from your application, your application
cannot be reviewed.) If complete, your application will then be forwarded
to the Code Enforcement Officer for setback approval.
Once this application
is returned from the Code Enforcement Officer, it will take approximately
one week for the various inspectors (i.e., plumbing, electrical, fire,
building) to review your application. Your permit for new construction
can then be issued and a fee will be calculated at that time.
The fee is based
on the cubic foot volume of the home as well as the number of fixtures
for plumbing, electric, mechanical and fire. The larger the home, the higher
the fee. As a guideline, an average home with an average number of fixtures
can run from $1,000 to $2,500.
MISCELLANEOUS
INFORMATION:
If a construction
pole has to be installed, a separate electrical permit will have to be
applied for.
A separate permit
for the installation of well pump will have to be obtained from the Health
Department.
INSPECTIONS REQUIRED:
• Footing (prior
to placing concrete)
• Submit foundation
location survey (prior to framing or placement of modular)
• Foundation/Backfill
(plaster and tar below grade) foundation drains
• Underground/Rough
plumbing (water/air test)
• Slab before
pouring concrete
• Rough electric
• Framing
• Insulation
(check for proper insulation of heated places)
• Finals on building,
plumbing (smoke test) and electric and fire
Please note:
By law the Building Department has 72 hours to make inspections. Set up
your inspections so that you will not be held up. All inspection are called
into the Building Department. (973)383-7025, Ext. #27
CERTIFICATE OF
OCCUPANCY (C.O.):
In order to obtain
your C.O., the following must be completed:
• Complete "Application
for Certificate" form.
• Clearance from
Planning & Zoning Department.
• Final on driveway
from DPW (or bond posted).
• Final on Grade
& Seed from Soil conservation District.
• Certificate
of Compliance on the septic from the Health Department.
• Certificate
of compliance from health Department for well
• Home owner's
Warranty, if applicable.
• Final location
survey (showing decks, steps, overhangs, etc.)
• Final building,
plumbing, electric, and fire inspections
NO CERTIFICATE
OF OCCUPANCY CAN BE ISSUED WITHOUT THE ABOVE PRIOR APPROVALS.
NO BUILDING CAN
BE USED OR OCCUPIED UNTIL A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY HAS BEEN ISSUED
We hope this
makes the process of obtaining a Building permit somewhat easier to understand.
Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to call
us for advice and assistance. (973) 383-7025, Ext. #27
