Roofing in Clinton Township (Hunterdon County), 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, Section 97-2 of the Township Code adopts N.J.A.C. 5:23, "Uniform Construction Code Regulations," by reference and names no code edition of its own, and the Construction Code Enforcement page links to the State's list of current adopted codes.

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, apply to the Township of Clinton Construction Office, first floor of the municipal building, 1225 Route 31 South, Suite 411, Lebanon, NJ 08833; the Township directory lists Construction Code Enforcement at 908-735-8800 ext. 256, and the Township lists hours of 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday. The Building Subcode Fees table attached to Chapter 97 of the Township Code (last amended by Ord. No. 1112-18) prices "Roofing or siding" at a $75 flat fee in Schedule 1 (use groups R-3, R-5 and U) and $20 per $1,000 of estimated cost in Schedule 2 (all other listed use groups); Section 97-3 sets a minimum fee of $75 per subcode. Inspection requests go to the Technical Assistants at 908-735-8800 ext. 252 or 258, 9:00 to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday, with the permit number, block and lot, name, address and type of inspection, or through the Township's SDL Portal. The office's inspection sheet says "If your inspection is not approved a second time for the same you will receive a Violation Notice."