Roofing in Burlington, New Jersey

Not 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 Burlington City Construction Office's page says the office ensures that construction work in the City complies with "the requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (UCC)" and names no code edition; the City's construction code chapter (Chapter 125 of the City Code, sections 125-1 to 125-6) names none either.

Under state law a reroof needs a permit on a townhouse or other attached dwelling, on any other building, and wherever the work reaches the roof structure; reroofing a detached one- or two-family house is ordinary maintenance with no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7(c)1.x, "The repair or replacement of existing roof covering on detached one- and two-family dwellings"). Where a roof permit is required in Burlington City, the City's fee ordinance (City Code section 146-11D; section 146-11 was last amended December 18, 2025, by Ord. No. 16-2025) reads "The fee for roofing and siding work on a residential property shall be $77 for attached dwellings. All other use groups shall be per the estimated costs of $35 per $1,000." The minimum fee for a basic construction permit is $77, and the plan review fee is "25% of the amount to be charged for the construction permit." Apply to the Construction Office at City Hall, 525 High Street, Burlington, NJ 08016, phone 609-386-0200 ext. 145, open Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed Friday. The page says "Construction Permit Applications are available at the Construction Office or by downloading the applications listed under the Construction Permits section of this page," and links the City's SDL portal for permits, inspections and property information. Inspection requests go in writing at least 24 hours ahead, by email to [email protected] or in person at the Construction Department; building inspections run Monday to Thursday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.