Office hours are:
Mon./Tue./Thur. - 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Wednesday - 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM (late night)
Friday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Email - Building Dept.
Phone: 201- 666-0462
Located in Room 4 - Lower Level
The Twp. of Washington Building Department is the agency that enforces the New Jersey State Uniform Building Code and local building and zoning codes.
John Scialla - Chief Construction Official/Building Subcode/Plumbing Subcode
(201) 666-0462
John oversees the daily operations of the Building Department, has final approval on all applications, issues notices of violations, and prepares yearly budgets for the Mayor and Council.
Sarah Bright, Technical Assistant
Vincent Corrado, Technical Assistant (Part Time)
Phone: (201) 666-0462
Ronald Gimbert - Fire Subcode Inspector
Vincent Pellegrini - Plumbing / Building Inspector
Jason Francese - Electrical Subcode Inspector
The Borough inspectors conduct plan reviews to ensure that projects conform to all code and inspection requirements
Joe Setticase - Zoning Officer
Phone: (201) 666-3312 / email
The Zoning Officer reviews drawings and surveys for proposed projects to ensure that the Zoning Code is adhered to. Click here for further Zoning information.
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Political Campaign Signs
No campaign sign shall be erected, constructed or maintained until an application for the same has been filed with the Building Subcode Official.
Click here for application and local ordinance.
DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING
Vladimir Wojno-Oranski- Director of Engineering
John Yakimik, Boswell Engineering - Township Engineer
(201)641-0770
Smoke Detector Inspections: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Please call the Building Department to schedule inspections (not Fire Prevention).
Building permits provide the means for Code Officials to protect the residents' health, safety, and welfare by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction.
The building permit process helps to explain the requirements needed to fulfill both local and state laws. An application for a permit must be made before any construction or remodeling work begins. Building permits provide the Code Officials with the means to review the construction documents to ensure that minimum standards are met and appropriate materials are used.
The following work requires a Construction Permit Application:
- New building/additions/renovations Demolitions
- Electrical and plumbing work
- Boiler and furnace replacements
- Window replacement when changing size or type
- Oil tank removal
- Fences - only if enclosing a pool*
- Retaining Walls (if they are over 4 ft from the bottom of the first block)
- Sheds (200 sq. ft. or larger) unless electrical work being added
- Sewer connections
- Signs
- Solar Panels
- Water Heaters
- Pools / Hot Tubs / Spas
- Decks, elevated patios, (driveway expansions & sidewalks, major landscape design, etc. zoning/engineering only)
The following work does NOT need a Construction Permit:
*UPDATE - Roofs, siding, direct replacement of bathrooms and kitchens (no rewiring, no new fixtures, no relocating existing fixtures, no insulation replacement) all fall under what the state deems as "ordinary maintenance" and no longer require permits.
- Painting / Flooring
- Replacing same size windows and doors
- Repaving driveway with the same material and same size, etc.
*The above is not a comprehensive list. When it doubt, please call the Building Department
*Regardless if a Construction Permit is required to do work on your home, Zoning and/or Engineering approval may be required. Please check the first page of the Zoning / Engineering application or contact the Zoning Office at (201) 666-1463 to determine if your job needs Zoning and / or Engineering approval first.
Construction Permits must be obtained before the start of work.
Exceptions include emergency replacement of furnaces, boilers and water heaters. However, the Building Department must be notified of the emergency replacement at the time of installation. Permits must be obtained within five days from the date of the installation.
To see the Department of Energy's official Building Energy Codes, click here.