Ocean County, New Jersey Building Permit Guide

Ocean County has 33 municipalities, and Toms River Township is the county seat. Building permits come from the construction office of the town where the work is. The county runs a Construction Board of Appeals, reviews subdivisions and commercial site plans, issues road opening permits and handles septic and well review.

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

What requires a building permit in Ocean County?

Ocean 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 Ocean County?

Each of the 33 municipalities issues its own construction permits. In Toms River:

Ocean County offices on the way to a permit

Construction Board of Appeals

Applications must reach the Board Secretary within 15 days after written notice from the enforcing agency (24 hours for imminent hazards), with the Notice of Violations/Orders to Correct and a non-refundable $100 check. Corporations must be represented by counsel. The board typically meets on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 3:00 pm in Room 119, 101 Hooper Avenue. Office: 239 Washington Street at 5 Mott Place, Toms River, 732.929.2039, open 8:00 am to 4:00 pm with an after-hours drop box.

County Planning Board

All subdivisions go to the County Planning Board for review, and need approval when they affect county roads or drainage. Commercial and industrial site plans along a county road or affecting county drainage need approval; one- and two-family dwellings are exempt from site plan review. The 2024 fee for a non-residential site plan is $250 + $10 per new parking space and + $15 per truck bay or loading area. Submit to the Ocean County Department of Planning, 129 Hooper Ave., Toms River, (732) 929-2054, by noon five working days before a meeting; meetings are held every three weeks. Pinelands-area applications include the Pinelands Certificate of Filing.

Work in a county road

A Road Opening Permit from the Ocean County Engineering Department is required for all work in a county right-of-way or easement, including driveways, curbs, sidewalks and utilities, and for boring under it. Engineering: 129 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, (732) 929-2130.

Septic systems and wells

The Ocean County Health Department’s Consumer Health Division handles septic systems, new septic plan review and potable wells: 175 Sunset Avenue, Toms River, 732-341-9700.

Soil erosion and sediment control

The Ocean County Soil Conservation District, 714 Lacey Road, Forked River (609-971-7002), certifies plans for commercial, industrial and linear projects, land grading, single lots disturbing 5,000 square feet or more, and all multi-lot subdivisions.

Ocean County permit costs and fees

Each town in Ocean 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 Ocean 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 Ocean County

Inspections are done by the town that issued the permit. Toms River schedules them through its online portal, and requests must be in writing. Soil district inspection requests can be faxed to 609-971-3391 or made online.

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 Ocean County permitting resources

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

• Ocean County Construction Board of Appeals
• Ocean County Planning Board applications
• Ocean County road opening permits
• Ocean County Health Department, Consumer Health
• Ocean County Soil Conservation District
• Toms River Building Department

Frequently asked questions

Does Ocean County issue building permits?

No. Each of its 33 municipalities issues construction permits through its own construction office.

Does a house need county site plan review in Ocean County?

No. One- and two-family dwellings are exempt from county site plan review, but subdivisions still go to the County Planning Board.

Who reviews septic plans in Ocean County?

The Ocean County Health Department’s Consumer Health Division, which also handles potable wells.

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