N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-4.20

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 5:23-4.20 - Department fees

(a) General:

1. The fee for plan review, computed as a percentage of the fee for a construction permit, shall be paid at the time of application for a permit. The amount of this fee shall then be deducted from the amount of the fee due for a construction permit, when the permit is issued. Plan review fees are not refundable.

2. The fee to be charged for a construction permit will be the sum of the basic construction fee plus all applicable special fees, such as elevator or sign fees. This fee shall be paid before a permit is issued.

3. The fee to be charged for a certificate of occupancy shall be paid before a certificate is issued. This fee shall be in addition to the construction permit fee.

4. Where the Department, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.24, is designated as the plan review agency, or when the Department has been requested to provide plan review services by a municipality pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.24, or when the Department is designated as the local enforcing agency pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.3, the following schedule of fees shall pertain.

5. The construction or rehabilitation of residential units that are to be legally restricted to occupancy by households of low or moderate income shall be exempted from the fees set forth in (b) and (c) below and otherwise payable to the Department.

6. No fee shall be collected for work consequential to a natural disaster when the Department is the local enforcing agency.

(b) Departmental plan review fee:

1. The plan review fee for new construction shall be based upon the volume of the structure.

i. For buildings or structures in Use Groups A, F, or S, the plan review fee shall be $.014 per cubic foot;

ii. For health care facilities in Use Groups B or I, the plan review fee shall be $.031 per cubic foot; and

iii. For all other buildings or structures, the plan review fee shall be $.022 per cubic foot.

2. The plan review fee for renovations, alterations, repairs, site construction associated with pre-engineered systems of commercial farm buildings, premanufactured construction, and external utility connections for premanufactured construction shall be based upon the estimated cost of work.

i. For health care facilities in Use Groups B or I, the fee shall be $ 20.00 per $ 1,000 or part thereof for estimated cost not exceeding $ 50,000, $ 16.00 per $ 1,000 or part thereof for estimated cost in excess of the first $ 50,000 and not exceeding $ 100,000, and $ 13.00 per $ 1,000 or part thereof for estimated cost in excess of the first $ 100,000; and

ii. For all other buildings or structures, the fee shall be $ 15.00 per $ 1,000 or part thereof for estimated cost not exceeding $ 50,000, $ 11.00 per $ 1,000 or part thereof for estimated cost in excess of the first $ 50,000 and not exceeding $ 100,000, and $ 10.00 per $ 1,000 or part thereof for estimated cost in excess of the first $ 100,000.

3. The elevator device plan review fee shall be as set forth in (c)6 and 7 below.

4. There shall be an additional fee of $ 64.00 per hour for review of any amendment or change to a plan that has already been released.

5. In any case where the Department conducts plan review for a local enforcing agency, the fee charged by the local enforcing agency for inspection services shall be 80 percent of the fee that would otherwise be determined under the local fee schedule.

(c) Departmental (enforcing agency) fees shall be as follows:

1. The fee for plan review shall be 20 percent of the amount to be charged for a construction permit.

i. The elevator device plan review fee shall be as in (c)6 and 7 below.

ii. The fee for plan review for Statewide prototype plans released by the Department or for other prototype plans where the prototype did not include the foundation detail shall be five percent of the amount to be charged for a construction permit.

2. The basic construction permit fee shall be the sum of the parts computed on the basis of the volume or cost of construction, the number of plumbing fixtures and pieces of equipment, the number of electrical fixtures and rating of electrical devices, the number of sprinklers, standpipes, and detectors (smoke and heat) at the unit rates, and/or the applicable flat fees as provided in this subchapter plus any special fees.

i. Building volume or cost: The fees for new construction or alteration are as follows:

(1) Fees for new construction shall be based upon the volume of the structure. Volume shall be computed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.28. The new construction fee shall be in the amount of $ 0.038 per cubic foot of volume for buildings and structures of all groups and types of construction as classified and defined in Chapters 3 and 6, respectively, of the building subcode;

(2) The fee shall be $ 0.021 per cubic foot of volume for groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, F-1, F-2, S-1, and S-2, and the fee shall be $ 0.0011 per cubic foot for structures on farms, including commercial farm buildings under N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.2(d), with the maximum fee for such structures on farms not to exceed $ 1,602.

(A) For purposes of calculating the volume to determine the fee for large, open-volume, single story spaces in buildings, such as barns, silos, greenhouses, warehouses, distribution centers, and other agricultural and storage-use occupancies, the height shall be limited to 20 feet notwithstanding the fact that the actual height of the space may be greater than 20 feet.

(3) Fees for renovations, alterations, and repairs or site construction associated with pre-engineered systems of commercial farm buildings, premanufactured construction, and the external utility connection for premanufactured construction shall be based upon the estimated cost of work. The fee shall be in the amount of $ 34.00 per $ 1,000 for the first $ 50,000, prorated. From $ 50,001 to and including $ 100,000, the fee on the amount exceeding $ 50,000 shall be in the amount of $ 26.00 per $ 1,000 of estimated cost, prorated. Above $ 100,000, the fee on the amount exceeding $ 100,000 shall be in the amount of $ 22.00 per $ 1,000 of estimated cost, prorated. For the purpose of determining estimated cost, the applicant shall submit to the Department such cost data as may be available produced by the architect or engineer of record, or by a recognized estimating firm, or by the contractor. A bona fide contractors bid, if available, shall be submitted. The Department shall make the final decision regarding estimated cost.

(4) Fees for additions shall be computed on the same basis as for new construction for the added portion.

(5) Fees for combination renovations and additions shall be computed as the sum of the fees computed separately in accordance with (c)2i(3) and (4) above.

(6) The fee for tents, in excess of 900 square feet or more than 30 feet in any dimension, shall be $ 129.00.

(7) The fee for roofing and siding work completed on structures of Group R-3 or R-5 shall be $ 65.00.

(8) The fee for an above-ground swimming pool shall be $ 140.00 for a pool with a surface area greater than 550 square feet; the fee in all other cases shall be $ 70.00. The fee for an in-ground swimming pool shall be $ 210.00 for a pool with a surface area greater than 550 square feet; the fee in all other cases shall be $ 106.00.

(9) Fees for retaining walls shall be as follows:

(A) The fee for a retaining wall with a surface area greater than 550 square feet that is associated with a Class 3 residential structure shall be $ 210.00;

(B) The fee for a retaining wall with a surface area of 550 square feet or less that is associated with a Class 3 residential structure shall be $ 106.00; and

(C) The fee for a newly constructed retaining wall of any size at other than a Class 3 residential structure shall be based on the cost of the construction.

ii. Plumbing fixtures and equipment: The fees shall be as follows:

(1) The fee shall be in the amount of $ 15.00 per fixture, piece of equipment, or appliance connected to the plumbing system, and for each appliance connected to the gas piping or oil piping system, except as indicated in (c)2ii(2) below.

(2) The fee shall be $ 91.00 per special device for the following: grease traps, oil separators, refrigeration units, utility service connections, backflow preventers equipped with test ports (double check valve assembly, reduced pressure zone, and pressure vacuum breaker backflow preventers), steam boilers, hot water boilers (excluding those for domestic water heating), active solar systems, sewer pumps, and interceptors. There shall be no inspection fee charged for gas service entrances.

iii. Electrical fixtures and devices: The fee shall be as follows:

(1) For the first block consisting of one to 50 receptacles, fixtures, or devices, the fee shall be $ 50.00; for each additional block consisting of up to 25 receptacles, fixtures, or devices, the fee shall be $ 9.00. For the purpose of computing this fee, receptacles, fixtures, or devices shall include lighting fixtures, wall switches, convenience receptacles, sensors, dimmers, alarm devices, smoke and heat detectors, communications outlets, light-standards eight feet or less in height including luminaries, emergency lights, electric signs, exit lights or similar electric fixtures, and devices rated 20 amperes or less including motors or equipment rated less than one horsepower (hp) or one kilowatt (kw).

(2) For each motor or electrical device rated from one hp or one kw to 10 hp or 10 kw; for each transformer or generator rated from one kw or one kilovolt-amps (kva) to 10 kw or 10 kva; for each replacement of wiring involving one branch circuit or part thereof; for each storable pool or hydro massage bath tub; for each underwater lighting fixture; for household electric cooking equipment rated up to 16 kw; for each fire, security, or burglar alarm control unit; for each receptacle rated from 30 amperes to 50 amperes; for each light-standard greater than eight feet in height including luminaries; and for each communications closet, the fee shall be $ 15.00.

(3) For each motor or electrical device rated from greater than 10 hp or 10 kw to 50 hp or 50 kw; for each service equipment, panel board, switch board, switch gear, motor-control-center, or disconnecting means rated 225 amperes or less; for each transformer or generator rated from greater than 10 kw or 10 kva to 45 kw or 45 kva; for each electric sign rated from greater than 20 amperes to 225 amperes including associated disconnecting means; for each receptacle rated greater than 50 amperes; and for each utility load management device, the fee shall be $ 65.00.

(4) For each motor or electrical device rated from greater than 50 hp or 50 kw to 100 hp or 100 kw; for each service equipment, panel board, switch board, switch gear, motor-control-center, or disconnecting means rated from greater than 225 amperes to 1,000 amperes; and for each transformer or generator rated from greater than 45 kw or 45 kva to 112.5 kw or 112.5 kva, the fee shall be $ 129.00.

(5) For each motor or electrical device rated greater than 100 hp or 100 kw; for each service equipment, panel board, switch board, switch gear, motor-control-center, or disconnecting means rated greater than 1,000 amperes; and for each transformer or generator rated greater than 112.5 kw or 112.5 kva, the fee shall be $ 640.00.

(6) The fee charged for electrical work for each permanently installed private swimming pool as defined in the building subcode, spa, hot tub, or fountain shall be a flat fee of $ 77.00, which shall include any required bonding, and associated equipment such as filter pumps, motors, disconnecting means, switches, required receptacles, and heaters, etc., excepting panelboards and underwater lighting fixtures. For public swimming pools, the fee shall be charged on the basis of number of electrical fixtures and rating of electrical devices involved in accordance with (c)2iii(1) through (5) above.

(7) The fee charged for the installation of single and multiple station smoke or heat detectors and fire, burglar, or security alarm systems in any one or two-family dwelling shall be a flat fee of $ 33.00 per dwelling unit. For fire, burglar, and security alarm systems and detectors in buildings other than one or two-family dwellings, the fee shall be charged in accordance with (c)2iii(1) and (2) above.

(8) For installations consisting of multimeter stacks, the fee shall be based on the ampere rating of the main bus and not upon the number of meters or rating of disconnects on the meter stack. Individual loadside panel boards shall be charged in accordance with (c)2iii(3), (4) or (5) above. There shall be no additional fee charged for the concurrent installation of individual feeder conductors.

(9) For motors or similar devices requiring concurrent installation of individual controls, relays and switches, the fee shall be based only upon the rating of the motor or device. There shall be no additional fee charged for the concurrent installation of individual circuit components, for example, controllers, starters, and disconnecting means.

(10) For electrical work requiring replacement of service entrance conductors or feeder conductors only, the fee shall be based on the designated ampere rating of the overcurrent device of the service or feeder as follows:

(A) 225 amperes or less, the fee shall be $ 65.00;

(B) 226 to 1,000 amperes, the fee shall be $ 129.00; and

(C) Greater than 1,000 amperes, the fee shall be $ 640.00.

(11) The fee charged for process equipment shall be based on the ampere rating of the overcurrent device protecting the conductor feeding the process equipment or the cutoff device.

(12) For the purpose of computing these fees, all electrical and communications devices, utilization equipment and motors which are part of premises wiring, except those which are portable plug-in type, shall be counted.

(13) For photovoltaic systems, the fee shall be based on the designated kilowatt rating of the solar photovoltaic system as follows:

(A) One to 50 kilowatts, the fee shall be $ 65.00;

(B) Fifty-one to 100 kilowatts, the fee shall be $ 129.00; and

(C) Greater than 100 kilowatts, the fee shall be $ 640.00.

iv. For fire protection and hazardous equipment, sprinklers, standpipes, detectors (smoke and heat), pre-engineered suppression systems, gas and oil fired appliances not connected to the plumbing system, kitchen exhaust systems, incinerators, and crematoriums, the fee shall be as follows:

(1) The fee for 20 or fewer heads shall be $ 91.00; for 21 to and including 100 heads, the fee shall be $ 168.00; for 101 to and including 200 heads, the fee shall be $ 321.00; for 201 to and including 400 heads, the fee shall be $ 831.00; for 401 to and including 1,000 heads, the fee shall be $ 1,150; for over 1,000 heads, the fee shall be $ 1,469.

(2) The fee for one to 12 detectors shall be $ 50.00; for each 25 detectors in addition to this, the fee shall be in the amount of $ 17.00.

(3) The fee for each standpipe shall be $ 321.00.

(4) The fee for each independent pre-engineered system shall be $ 129.00.

(5) The fee for each gas or oil fired appliance that is not connected to the plumbing system shall be $ 65.00.

(6) The fee for each kitchen exhaust system shall be $ 65.00.

(7) The fee for each incinerator shall be $ 511.00.

(8) The fee for each crematorium shall be $ 511.00.

(9) For single and multiple station smoke or heat detectors and fire alarm systems in any one or two-family dwellings, there shall be a flat fee of $ 33.00 per dwelling unit. For detectors and fire alarm systems in buildings other than one or two-family dwellings, the fee shall be charged in accordance with (c)2iv(2) above.

(10) The fee for replacement of an existing transmission means as per N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.17A(c)5 v shall be $ 35.00.

3. Fees for certificates and other permits are as follows:

i. The fee for a demolition or removal permit shall be $ 92.00 for a structure of less than 5,000 square feet in area and less than 30 feet in height, for one- or two-family dwellings (Group R-3 or R-5 of the building subcode), structures on farms, including commercial farm buildings under N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.2(d), and $ 168.00 for all other Groups.

ii. The fee for a permit to construct a sign shall be as follows:

(1) Fees for pylon signs shall be $ 6.00 per square foot for the first 100 square feet, $ 4.75 per square foot for the next 400 square feet, and $ 3.50 per square foot thereafter;

(2) Fees for ground signs or wall signs shall be $ 3.00 per square foot for the first 100 square feet, $ 2.10 per square foot for the next 400 square feet, and $ 1.40 per square foot thereafter;

(3) The minimum fee shall be $ 65.00.

iii. The fee for a certificate of occupancy shall be $ 39.00.

iv. The fee for a certificate of occupancy granted pursuant to a change of use group shall be $ 168.00.

v. The fee for a certificate of continued occupancy issued under N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.23(c) shall be $ 168.00.

vi. The fee for the first issuance and the renewal of a temporary certificate of occupancy shall be $ 39.00.

(1) Exception: There shall be no fee for the first issuance of the temporary certificate of occupancy provided the certificate of occupancy fee is paid at that time.

(2) Exception: Where a written request for a temporary certificate of occupancy is made for reasons other than uncompleted work covered by the permit (such as uncompleted work required by prior approvals from state or municipal agencies), no renewal fee shall be charged.

vii. The fee for plan review of a building for compliance under the alternate systems and nondepletable energy source provisions of the energy subcode shall be $ 383.00 for one- and two-family dwellings (Group R-3 or R-5 of the building subcode), and for light commercial structures having the indoor temperature controlled from a single point, and $ 1,915 for all other structures.

viii. The fee for an application for a variation in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.10 shall be $ 821.00 for class 1 structures and $ 168.00 for class 2 and class 3 structures. The fee for resubmission of an application for a variation shall be $ 321.00 for class 1 structures and $ 91.00 for class 2 and class 3 structures.

ix. The fee for a permit for lead hazard abatement work shall be $ 196.00. The fee for a lead abatement clearance certificate shall be $ 39.00.

4. For cross connections and backflow preventers that are subject to annual re-testing, the fee shall be $ 12.00 for each device.

5. Annual permit requirements are as follows:

i. The fee to be charged for an annual construction permit shall be charged annually. This fee shall be a flat fee based upon the number of maintenance workers who are employed by the facility, and who are primarily engaged in work that is governed by a subcode. Managers, engineers and clericals shall not be considered maintenance workers for the purpose of establishing the annual construction permit fee. Annual permits may be issued for building/fire protection, electrical and plumbing.

ii. Fees for annual permits shall be as follows:

(1) One to 25 workers (including foremen) $ 933.00/worker; each additional worker over 25, $ 329.00/worker.

(2) Prior to the issuance of the annual permit, a training registration fee of $ 196.00 per subcode and a list of not more than three individuals to be trained per subcode shall be submitted by the applicant to the Department of Community Affairs, Division of Codes and Standards, Education Unit along with a copy of the construction permit (Form F170). Checks shall be made payable to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey." The Department shall register these individuals and notify them of the courses being offered.

6. The fee for plan review for elevator devices in structures of Group R-3, R-4, or R-5, and for elevator devices wholly within dwelling units in structures of Group R-2 shall be $ 70.00 for each device.

7. The fee for plan review for elevator devices in structures of Groups other than R-3, R-4, or R-5 and devices in structures of Group R-2 exempted by (c)6 above shall be $ 365.00 for each device.

8. The fees for elevator device inspections and tests shall be as set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:23-12.

9. The fee for a mechanical inspection in a structure of Group R-3 or R-5 by a mechanical inspector shall be $ 60.00 for the first device and $ 15.00 for each additional device. No separate fee shall be charged for gas, fuel oil, or water piping connections associated with the mechanical equipment inspected.

10. The fee for the annual electrical inspection of a swimming pool, spa, or hot tub shall be $ 50.00. The fee for the annual electric inspection of each additional swimming pool, spa, or hot tub on a site shall be $ 34.00.

(d) The fee for an application by a manufacturer, distributor, owner or any other person for approval of any fixture, appurtenance, material or method, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.8, shall be an amount equal to the cost incurred, or to be incurred, by the Department for such tests as the Department may require, plus an administrative surcharge in the amount of 10 percent of such cost.

(e) Hourly charges and fees for development-wide inspection of homes after issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall be in such amount as may be reasonable and necessary in order to ascertain whether a violation exists or to verify that any work performed has abated the violation.

1. The hourly charge shall be the same as the hourly charge set forth at N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.20(b)4 times the number of hours spent by the code official in determining whether a violation exists or verifying that any work performed has abated the violations.

2. Any appeal of a charge levied by the Department pursuant to this subsection shall be made in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.38.

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-4.20

Amended by 46 N.J.R. 2024(a), effective 10/6/2014.

Amended by 48 N.J.R. 801(a), effective 5/16/2016

Administrative Change, 56 N.J.R. 1708(a), effective 7/23/2024