Do I Need a Permit

A permit is required for construction, enlargement, repair, renovation, alteration, reconstruction, or demolition of a structure. It is also required if the Use (as classified under the building subcode) in whole or in part of a structure is changed. When any mechanical equipment, which is regulated by the above mentioned model codes, is removed, relocated, or installed a permit is required. The exception to this is a category of work the regulations refer to as Ordinary Maintenance.

Ordinary Maintenance is defined in the regulations the following way;

N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7 Ordinary Maintenance

Ordinary maintenance to structures may be made without filing a permit application with or giving notice to the Construction Official.
Such maintenance shall not include any of the following:

• The cutting away of any wall, partitions, or portion thereof;
• The removal or cutting of any of any structural beam or bearing support;
• The removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the exitway requirements;
• Any work affecting structural or fire safety;
• Any work that will increase the nonconformity of a building or structure with the requirements of the regulations;
• Addition to, or alteration, replacement or relocation of:
  • Any standpipe;
  • Water supply, sewer, drainage, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping;
  • Electrical wiring, other than wiring for a low voltage communications system in a one or two family dwelling; or
  • Mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety; or
  • Any work undertaken for the purpose of lead abatement.

As may be obvious, work other than minor maintenance items will require a permit. You may always check with our office if in doubt.

You must first make application for permit, have your application reviewed and approved, pay for the approved permit, and allow it to be processed and released before you begin the work. There are exceptions to this but they involve certain emergency work or specific work of a very minor nature. Check with this office if your project may begin prior to a permit application. Our office will review your application as soon as possible after all prior approvals (i.e. Zoning, Engineering, etc.) have been met. The applicant is responsible for having met all prior approvals.

A permit application requires the submission of various state forms, along with plans and/or specifications detailing the work to be performed. Work of a very minor nature may not require plans and/or specifications, at the discretion of the appropriate Subcode Official. If the information supplied is incomplete in any way, you or your agent will be notified by our office of the deficiencies and explained the nature of any problems. Please keep in mind that we are limited by the regulations both administratively and technically. As such, we can not provide you with information that should come from an architect or professional engineer.

The aforementioned state forms are available to you at our office. We are located on the first floor of the municipal building at 1225 Route 31 South. Any staff member will provide you with the appropriate forms required for your project and answer any question you may have regarding the filing of them. The State of New Jersey is also in the process of providing these same forms on-line with electronic submission to the appropriate town, however there is no date for completion of that web site.

All of us are ready to assist you in any way to make this process easy. Please do not hesitate to call upon us.

Last Updated: 29 November 2021

Construction Code Enforcement

We serve the community by enforcing the state adopted model construction codes for the health, safety, and welfare of the public and/or the intended occupants of all buildings and structures.

• Contact Information
  
• Do I Need a Permit?
  
• Required Inspections
  
• Schedule an Inspection - SDL Portal
• Selling or Renting Your Home
  
• Selling or Renting Your Commercial Property:
  • Whenever a Commercial Property is rented or sold, the Township of Clinton Code section 155-9 requires the current owner to obtain a Continued Certificate of Occupancy Inspection. The forms may be obtained from the Building Department. You will need to obtain a Zoning Permit from the Zoning Officer in accordance with the Township of Clinton Code section 165-53. All building permits must be closed out before a certificate can be issued.
• Current Adopted State Codes
  
• State Permit Forms
  
• Prior Approval Checklist
  
• Demolition Guidelines
  
• Location of Smoke Detectors
  
• Sheds
  
• Finished Basements
  
• Deck Requirements
  
• Pools
  
• Pool Barriers
  
• Gas Riser Diagram
  
• Soil Disturbance and Grading Permit
  
• Perk Witness Test Form
  
• Road/Street Opening
• Application for Exemption as an "Essential Construction Project"

Last Updated: 26 January 2022

Contact Information

Construction Official - Tom Petto:

• (908) 735-8800 x256 
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Technical Assistant - Terri Howell:

• (908) 735-8800 x258 
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Technical Assistant:

• (908) 735-8800 x252

Building Subcode:

• (908) 735-8800 x256

Electrical Subcode & Electrical Inspector - Robert Vandenberg:

• (908) 735-8800 x253
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Fire Subcode:

• (908) 735-8800 x256

Plumbing Subcode - Dan Niro:

• (908) 735-8800 x255 
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Last Updated: 29 November 2021