Building / Engineering


BEFORE YOU BEGIN A PROJECT, PLEASE READ OUR F.A.Q PAGE - click here
 

BUILDING DEPARTMENT Office hours are: 
Monday-Friday:  8:30am - 4:30pm
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.  

Joe Setticase - Technical Assistant / Zoning Officer 
Hours: M - F:  8:30am - 4:30pm 
Vincent Corrado, Technical Assistant (Part Time)
Part Time hours: M - Th:  8:30am-1:45pm & Friday 8:30am-12:30pm

Darius Pokoj - BUILDING Inspector
Nick Tubito - PLUMBING / MECHANICAL Inspector
Jason Francese -  ELECTRICAL Inspector
Ronald Gimbert - FIRE 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.

DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING

 Vladimir Wojno-Oranski- Director of Engineering
 John Yakimik, Boswell Engineering - Township Engineer (201) 641-0770

The building permit process helps to explain the requirements needed to fulfill both local and state laws. An application for a construction 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 minimum standards are met and appropriate materials used.  

*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.

HOW TO FILL OUT A CONSTRUCTION PERMIT - A Step by Step Guide - click here

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 & 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

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.
 
INSPECTIONS

The majority of building permits are processed with little delay.  If plan modifications are needed, the deficiencies are based on a careful review of the proposed work to insure safe and sound construction.  Permits that have been approved are to be picked up in the building department during office hours. Last permit is issued 30 Minutes before closing.

*** The permit placard must be displayed in your front window ***
*** An approved set of plans must be kept on the job site.***

Required inspections may include: Footings (prior to pouring of concrete), foundation/backfill, interior slab, smoke detector placement, rough inspections (electric, plumbing), framing, insulation, and final inspections for each applicable subcode area (electric, fire, then plumbing and building), and engineering, if applicable.  Check with the Construction Official to determine which inspections are required for your project.

Once all final inspections have been performed and approved, you must fill out an application for your Certificate of Occupancy.  Applications can be obtained from the building department.  The certificate will be mailed to you.

*Smoke Detector Inspections: 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. 


Hours of Inspection:

Building : Tuesday &Thursday, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Plumbing/Mechanical: Monday & Tuesday 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Electric: Tuesday & Thursday  9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Fire: Monday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Smoke Detector Inspection: Monday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

*No work is to begin before 7:00 AM or to continue after sunset.

CALL 1-800-272-1000 before you dig! They will mark out underground utility lines. Provide the building dept. with the dig number assigned to your project.
 
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.

Forms - Please click here to obtain all Building Dept forms.
 
STORAGE CONTAINERS - As per Town Code Chapter 173, Section 16.1 With construction and building projects in full swing, just a few reminders:  If you have a valid construction or demolition permit in effect, a “temporary storage structure” shall be permitted within a noncommercial zone by obtaining a permit from the Building Department.  Application for permit will assess the necessity and location of storage unit.  Application fee of $25.00, once issued a permit fee of $125.00 for a period of 120 days from issuance of permit.  If additional time is required, one-month extensions may be issued by the Building Dept. at a cost of $50.00 per month, upon prior written approval from the Twp. Council authorizing the extension.  Failure to maintain a current permit, being located as designated, maintained in a sanitary & sightly condition shall constitute a violation.
Home Owners Be Aware!
Chimney Liners

Please contact the Building Dept. before entering into an agreement with a chimney contractor who tells you that your chimney liner needs to bereplaced.
 
Doing this work when it is not needed, or doing it improperly can cause dangerous conditions in your home which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

A Permit is required before a chimney liner installation takes place. Contact the Building Department by phone at  201- 666-0462  or  email
RESPECT YOUR NEIGHBORS - Comply w/Noise Ordinances

With the fall weather here it is time to get out and start blowing those leaves.  In doing so, please respect your neighbors by making sure that your landscaper only operates property maintenance machinery, such as lawn mowers, weed wackers & leaf blowers as dictated by our noise ordinances. These hours and other requirements can be found in the Township’s noise ordinance by clicking here.