Essex County, New Jersey Building Permit Guide

Essex County has 22 municipalities, and its county seat is Newark. Building permits come from the construction office of the town where the work is. The county’s part, run from the Department of Public Works in Verona, is the Construction Board of Appeals, county site plan and subdivision review, and permits for work in county roads.

This guide covers the county offices an Essex County project can run into. The construction permit itself is filed with the town.

What requires a building permit in Essex County?

Essex County does not write its own construction rules. Whether work needs a permit, counts as minor work or is ordinary maintenance is set by the statewide Uniform Construction Code, which is the same in every New Jersey town; the town adds its fee ordinance and zoning.

New Jersey has one Uniform Construction Code for every municipality; the town supplies the enforcing agency, the fee ordinance and the zoning approvals. New Jersey rules

Who handles permitting in Essex County?

Each municipality issues its own construction permits. Newark’s construction code office, for example, is at 920 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102, 973-733-5632 (Construction Official George J. Perdon).

Essex County offices on the way to a permit

County site plan and subdivision review

Before a town issues a building permit, county site plan review is required on property fronting a county road for commercial, industrial or multifamily projects of five or more units, projects with parking for more than five vehicles, and any project that sends runoff to a county road. All subdivisions in Essex County also go to the County Planning Board. Residential buildings with fewer than five units do not need county site plan review, though the county urges developers to consult the Planning Board. Contact: David Antonio, Planner, 973.226.8500 Ext. 2580. Planning Board meetings are held on Zoom; call the main desk at (973) 226-8500 x 0 for the log-in.

Construction Board of Appeals

The board runs through the Department of Public Works, 900 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, NJ 07044 (Secretary Nick Bonavita, 973.226.8500 Ext. 2240). File by the 15th day after written notice of the decision, with the application, a copy of the town’s violation notice and a non-refundable $100.00 check; appeals of escrow or professional charges have 45 days.

Work in a county road

Road opening and other right-of-way permits come from the Public Works permit office in Verona, open Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Call 973.226.8500 ext 2480 for an appointment, because inspectors are not always in the office.

Soil erosion and sediment control

Essex County is covered by the Hudson-Essex & Passaic Soil Conservation District, 80 Orchard Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003, 862-333-4505. A certified soil erosion and sediment control plan is needed for construction activities that disturb more than 5,000 square feet.

Essex County permit costs and fees

Each town in Essex County sets its construction fees by its own ordinance, so the same job can cost different amounts in neighbouring towns. Ask the town’s construction office for its fee schedule before you price a job.

Fees are set by each town’s ordinance; the plan review fee is paid at submission and deducted at issuance, and the state adds a surcharge on every permit. New Jersey rules

How to get a building permit in Essex County

The construction office must act on a complete application within 20 business days, and the permit cannot issue before the zoning and other prior approvals. New Jersey rules

Inspections in Essex County

Building inspections are done by the town that issued the permit. Work in a county road is inspected by the county Public Works permit office.

Inspections are requested in writing at least 24 hours ahead, and no building may be used before the certificate of occupancy or approval. New Jersey rules

Official Essex County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Essex County Construction Board of Appeals
• Essex County subdivision and site plans
• Essex County road and right-of-way permits
• Essex County Planning Board
• NJ soil erosion and sediment control program

Frequently asked questions

Does Essex County issue building permits?

No. The construction office of the town where the work is issues them.

When does Essex County review a site plan?

Before the town issues a building permit, on property fronting a county road, for commercial, industrial and 5+ unit projects, projects with parking for more than five vehicles, and runoff to a county road. All subdivisions go to the county too.

What does an Essex County construction appeal cost?

A non-refundable $100.00 check, filed by the 15th day after written notice of the decision.

Simplify Essex County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Find the right town construction office for the parcel and file the UCC permit package with it
• Track county planning board and soil district approvals that must come before the permit
• Coordinate subcode inspections and the certificate of occupancy through closeout

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in New Jersey. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Essex County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.