Roofing in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey

Required

Required

The 2024 International Residential Code, New Jersey edition, adopted by the State, with the Rehabilitation Subcode for work on existing buildings. New Jersey has one construction code, the Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23), which every municipality enforces; municipalities do not adopt building codes of their own (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-123.1 and 52:27D-139). N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.21(a)1 adopts the International Code Council's "2024 International Residential Code known as the IRC/2024 as the one- and two-family dwelling subcode in New Jersey subject to the modifications stated at (c) below," and 3.21(b) applies it to "detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade plane in height." The section was rewritten by R.2026 d.086, "effective August 17, 2026," in the Department of Community Affairs' print of the rules "adopted and published through the New Jersey Register, Vol. 58 No. 16," and the Department's Current Construction Codes page lists the "International Residential Code/2024, NJ ed" with an adoption date of Aug 17, 2026. Other buildings fall under the building subcode, the International Building Code/2024, NJ edition (N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.14). Roof work on an existing building is held to the Rehabilitation Subcode: "Existing structures, when repaired, renovated, altered or reconstructed, shall conform to the requirements of N.J.A.C. 5:23-6, Rehabilitation Subcode" (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.4(a)). A six-month grace period follows the adoption. N.J.A.C. 5:23-1.6(a): "For a period of six months following the operative date of a subcode revision, applicants may submit a complete permit application, including all prior approvals, to be reviewed under the code in force immediately preceding the subcode revision." The rule history gives R.2026 d.086 no date other than its effective date, so on that reading the window runs from August 17, 2026 until about February 17, 2027: a complete application filed inside it may be reviewed under either the prior edition or the 2024 edition, at the applicant's choice, and one filed after it closes is reviewed under the 2024 edition. Everything above is New Jersey state law, the same in every municipality. Locally, the Borough of Atlantic Highlands Building Department page says the department is "responsible for enforcing the regulations of the State Uniform Construction Code" and names no code edition of its own.

The Borough of Atlantic Highlands Building Department states a permit requirement for roofing that the state rule does not make for a detached one- or two-family house. Its page asks "Do I need a permit for....." and answers "Roofing or siding work?" with "A: Yes." The state rule, N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7(c), lists "The repair or replacement of existing roof covering on detached one- and two-family dwellings" among items that "are ordinary maintenance and shall be treated as such by every enforcing agency," and says "No permit for, inspections of, or notice to the enforcing agency of ordinary maintenance shall be required." The State Uniform Construction Code Act, N.J.S.A. 52:27D-123.1, says "Any law or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding," the "alteration, renovation, rehabilitation, repair, maintenance, removal, or demolition of all buildings or structures already erected shall be regulated pursuant to the 'State Uniform Construction Code Act.'" This record does not decide whether the department's demand is lawful under those provisions. In practice, a roofer should expect the department to ask for a permit for roofing work, as its page states. Reroofing a townhouse or other attached dwelling, or any other building, needs a permit under the state rule as well. The page also says "Doing work without a permit is subject to penalties of $2000.00 per NJ Uniform Construction Code" and "Zoning Approval is required before building permits are obtained." The Construction Official's office is at 100 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716, "Phone: (732) 291-1444 Ext 3106," with office hours "Monday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm," "Tuesday-Thursday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm" and "Friday 8:00 am to 12:00 noon." Inspections are set up by calling that line or by email to [email protected]. Permit forms, including a Construction Permit Application, are linked from the page and can be picked up at Borough Hall. The State's directory of construction offices lists 732-291-1122 for the office.