Middlesex County, New Jersey Building Permit Guide

Middlesex County has 25 municipalities, from Carteret Borough to Woodbridge Township, and building permits come from the construction office of the town where the work is. The county reviews subdivisions and site plans that affect county roads or drainage, approves all septic work, and runs a Construction Board of Appeals.

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

What requires a building permit in Middlesex County?

Middlesex 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 Middlesex County?

Each of the 25 municipalities issues its own construction permits. In New Brunswick, where the County Administration Building stands at 75 Bayard Street:

Middlesex County offices on the way to a permit

County development review

The County Office of Planning reviews every subdivision and site plan application to see whether county roads, county property or drainage facilities would be affected, for a fee set by county resolution. Applications go only through the ePlan portal, and an application must pass prescreen and completeness review before it is scheduled for the monthly Development Review Committee meeting; a resubmission carries a one-time 33% fee. Questions: 732-745-3812 or ePlan@co.middlesex.nj.us.

Septic systems

All septic work needs approval from the Middlesex County Environmental Health Division. A new system or an alteration needs an engineer’s application with four copies of the application and plan, and home additions or renovations on a septic property also need the division’s approval. Questions: 732-745-8480.

Construction Board of Appeals

Appeals of town construction decisions go to the Middlesex County Construction Board of Appeals, staffed through the Office of County Counsel. Board secretary: 732-745-4210.

Soil erosion and sediment control

Middlesex County is covered by the Freehold Soil Conservation District (Monmouth & Middlesex), 4000 Kozloski Road, PO Box 5033, Freehold, NJ 07728-5033, 732-683-8500. A certified soil erosion and sediment control plan is needed for construction activities that disturb more than 5,000 square feet.

Middlesex County permit costs and fees

Each town in Middlesex 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 Middlesex 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 Middlesex County

Inspections are done by the town that issued the permit. New Brunswick schedules them between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., and someone over 18 must be on site.

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 Middlesex County permitting resources

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

• Middlesex County development review (ePlan)
• Middlesex County septic system program
• Middlesex County Construction Board of Appeals
• Middlesex County municipalities
• New Brunswick permits and licensing

Frequently asked questions

Does Middlesex County issue building permits?

No. Each of its 25 municipalities issues construction permits through its own construction office.

Does the county review my site plan?

The County Office of Planning reviews every subdivision and site plan application for effects on county roads, property and drainage, through the ePlan portal.

Who approves septic work in Middlesex County?

The Middlesex County Environmental Health Division approves all septic work, including additions on properties with septic.

Simplify Middlesex 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 Middlesex County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.