Once you have ownership of the lot you plan to build on, the following steps MUST be taken:
1. Contact the Township Zoning Department. All applicants must obtain a Zoning Permit Application. Submit the completed application with a copy of your approved septic system plot plan, and pay the required application fee.
2. Contact Warren County Health Department (908) 475-7960. Apply for Septic and Well permits. You must have a valid Septic and Well Permit in order to apply for your building permit.
3. Contact Warren County Soil Conservation (908) 852-2579 to determine if a permit must be obtained.
4. If there are wetlands present on the lot, a Letter of Interpretation will be needed from the N.J.D.E.P. before a building permit is issued.
5. Certification of Taxes paid must be obtained.
After the above items are complied with, you are now ready to APPLY for Building Permits.
6. Contact the Building Department (908) 852-4121 ext. 2 – The following applications are to be filled out: Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire & Driveway.
SPECIAL NOTE: if a driveway opens on a State or County road, you must obtain an entrance permit from the NJDOT and Warren County Engineers Office, respectively, in addition to the Township Driveway permit.
7. Complete the building applications and submit to the Construction Department. The following copies must also be submitted in order for the application to be complete: approved zoning application; septic and well permits; soil conservation permit (if applicable); driveway permits (County & State if applicable also); Two (2) signed and sealed copies of architectural drawings for the project. An owner may draw the plans for a single family dwelling if he/she is going to reside in the building.
For Modular Dwelling Applications – all of the above information is required plus the following.
• Submit written estimates showing the cost for:
• Foundation and footings
• Plumbing from the floor of the Modular to connection with the well and septic:
• All electric outlets, lights, special devices and services;
• All storage tanks;
• All exterior decks and entry steps
• All carpentry including connection, roof raising, garage framing and finishing, siding & roofing;
• Submit two copies of the stamped and approved modular building. Only submit those drawings that pertain to the building you plan to construct.
• Submit two copies of the sealed architectural drawings for the foundation and any items that are not part of the modular unit.
8. If plans are drawn by the owner, they must contain the following:
• all four elevations — front, rear, etc.
• foundation plan showing the following:
• size of footings, type and thickness of walls and floor•
• size and direction of floor joists;
• column location and girder size;
• size and location of windows and doors. Windows must be at least equal 1/50 of floor plan;
• first and second floor plans showing windows, doors and room areas;
• typical cross section
Energy code checklist
• percentage of glass to exterior wall surface;
• type of insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors;
• slab on grade insulation.
Architects must show all of the above, plus:
• total volume
• factor of walls and ceilings
• use group and type of construction
• occupancy load
* Plumbing, heating and electrical schematics must also be provided.
9. Review – when the preceding information has been assembled, and the necessary Technical Application shave also been completed, you must submit ALL information to the Building Department at one time.
Departmental Review may take up to twenty (20) business days after FULL submission of the completed application package.
10. Additional Permits are required for:
a. temporary electric service
b. well pump and line installation
11. Required Inspections – all required inspections must be performed within four (4) business days of your call requesting the inspection. Inspection requests MUST be made 24-hours prior to inspection date. The property owner/contractor must provide the following information when requesting an inspection:
• permit number
• block and Lot
• owners name
• street location
• types of inspection needed.
At the street entrance to the property, erect a sign showing the Block, Lot, Building number, permit number & name. Be sure the sign can be read clearly for Inspectors to find the property.
Required Inspections are as follows:
• footing (prior to placing concrete)
• underground/Rough Plumbing
• slab (prior to placing concrete)
• foundation and footing drains, before backfilling
Submit location survey at this point
• Rough frame (before siding and roofing is applied
• Rough plumbing
• Rough electric
• Fire
• Finish frame (after rough plumbing, electric and fire approvals
• Insulation
12. Certificate of Occupancy
To obtain a C.O. you must:
• complete a C.O. application
• obtain final driveway approval
• submit the final survey
• submit Certificate of Compliance for wells and septic
• submit homeowner’s Warranty (if applicable)
• final inspections for: electric, plumbing, fire and building must be approved;
• pay all outstanding fees, violations, and taxes.
