Roofing in Elmwood Park, 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 10-1.1 of the Borough Code establishes "a State Uniform Construction Code Enforcing Agency to be known as Office of Code Enforcement," and the Building Department page names no code edition of its own.

No permit is needed under state law to reroof a detached one- or two-family house; a townhouse, other attached dwelling or any other building needs one from the Borough of Elmwood Park Building Department, Municipal Building, 182 Market Street, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407, phone 201-796-1457 ext. 8802, open Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Department says "If you are ever unsure if you need a permit, call the Building Department at 201-796-1457 x8802." Where a roof permit is required, Section 10-1.3 of the Borough Code (last amended May 18, 2023 by Ord. No. 23-15) names no separate roofing fee; "For renovations, alterations and repairs" it charges "$35 for each $1,000 or part thereof estimated cost up to $50,000, provided that the minimum fee shall be $85," and $25 for each $1,000 above $50,000. Under Section 4-38.4, "After obtaining a construction permit, the person doing the work shall notify the Construction Official within the twenty-four-hour period prior to commencing any work whatsoever on any building or structure." Section 4-38.2 bars contractor work on Sundays and on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas without an exemption, and says "During the days of Monday through Saturday, no activity shall commence before 7:00 a.m. and shall cease by 6:00 p.m." Contractors also register with the Building Department each year. Construction permit applications are posted on the Borough's downloads page; the Borough posts no online construction permit portal.