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TwpofWashington.us

201-664-4404

Township of Washington

350 Hudson Avenue

Twp. of Washington, NJ 07676

The building permit process helps to explain the requirements needed to fulfill the Twp. of Washington's local laws and ordinances. 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 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 zoning
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
Miscellaneous residential construction such as:
- pools, decks, elevated patios, (driveway expansions & sidewalks, major landscape design, etc. zoing/engineering only)

The following work does NOT need a 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
replacing same size windows and doors
repaving driveway with the same material and same size, etc.

When in doubt, please call the Building Department.

Permits must be obtained before the start of work.

To see the Department of Energy's official Building Energy Codes, click here.

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.

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, Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM.

*** 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.

Hours of Inspection:

Building : Monday, Tuesday & Thursday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Plumbing: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

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

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

Smoke Detector Inspection: Please call the Building Dept. at 201-666-0462.

*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.

Forms

Campaign Sign Application
Construction Permit Forms
Certificate of Continued Occupancy &
Chimney Verification Form
POD Storage Container Application
Planning Board Application
Smoke Detector Compliance
Soil Moving Application
Subdivision Application
Tree Removal Permit Application
Zoning Application - Res. Generator
Zoning Application
Zoning Codes - Height
Zoning Bd Appeal Application

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.

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