Building Inspection & Permits

"When do I need a building permit?"

You must obtain a building permit from the Township's Building Department before making the following changes to your house:

  • Replacing a roof
  • Installing new siding
  • Adding a bedroom or bathroom
  • Adding an addition
  • Interior alterations
  • Constructing a deck
  • Enclosing a porch
  • Installing a dishwasher
  • Replacing an electric stove with a gas stove and vice versa
  • Finishing a basement
  • New Kitchen
  • Central air conditioning
  • New Wiring
  • New furnace, boiler, or hot water heater
  • Lawn sprinkler systems

You don't need a permit for ordinary repairs on a one or two-family dwelling (HOWEVER PLEASE CONFIRM ZONING COMPLIANCE WITH THE TOWNSHIP ZONING OFFICER). These changes include:

  • Repairing roofing or siding material with like material, if the area doesn't exceed 25 percent of the roof within one year
  • Installing floor material, including carpeting (one and two family dwelling)
  • Painting the exterior or interior
  • Replacing any window or door, if no change in the dimensions or framing of the opening is involved
  • Covering walls, plastering or placing a drywall on an existing wall
  • Replacing glass in any window or door, if the replacement glass conforms to minimum requirements for the location
  • Replacing any faucet or valve, if the piping system doesn't have to be rearranged
  • Replacing electrical switches and receptacles if rated under 20 amperes less than 150 volts to ground

Of course this is not an all inclusive list of jobs needing permits or ordinary repairs.  Please inquiry with the Building Office to determine whether a permit is necessary.

PLEASE NOTE:
ALL COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE HAND-DELIVERED TO THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT FOR PROCESSING. PAYMENTS ARE ACCEPTED DURING THE HOURS OF 8:30 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M. -- NO EXCEPTIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTCLAIR BUILDING OFFICE: 973-509-4951.

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