Roofing in Lakewood Township, 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 Township's Building Department says it is "responsible for all construction within the Township and for enforcement of the NJ Uniform Construction Code," and the Department of Inspections' Roof Questionnaire still lists "All Requirements as per 2021 IRC NJ Edition."

Where a roof permit is required in Lakewood, the Department of Inspections' Roof Questionnaire goes with the application. It has the applicant confirm "All Requirements as per 2021 IRC NJ Edition", 6 nails per shingle, shingles to ASTM D7158 or D3161, and "Drip Edge Required on all Eave's & Rakes"; asks whether the existing roof is wood shingle, whether the old roof will be ripped off and whether ice shield will be installed; asks for the total number of squares and the number of existing roofs (2 maximum); and marks shingles prohibited below a 2:12 slope and "Double Underlayment Required" between 2:12 and 4:12. The building fee is $24.00 per $1,000.00 of estimated cost with an $85.00 minimum, and the Township requires proof of liability insurance with the application. The Township's FAQ says a "Construction Permit must begin within one year of the permit issue date" and that it expires "if the work is abandoned for a period of more than six months." The office is at 212 Fourth Street, phone 732-364-3760, open 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.; its online portal offers construction permit inquiries.