Roofing in Runnemede, 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 Runnemede Construction and Code Enforcement page names no code edition of its own and points applicants to the State's construction permit forms. The Borough's Code still carries Chapter 99, "Building Code," adopted in 1953 by Ord. No. 119 and amended in 1970, which adopts the "Basic Building Code" and "Abridged Building Code" and, in Section 99-4, reads: "Roof sheathing on any dwelling or structure shall consist of at least one-inch boards or approved one-half-inch waterproofed plywood, and all joints must be catted." The chapter predates the Uniform Construction Code, and this record does not decide whether it still has any force.

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 Runnemede Construction and Code Enforcement office, 24 North Black Horse Pike, phone 856-939-2815. "Construction and Zoning permits can now be found on the SDL portal," and "Applications will not be processed if those two pieces of information are missing," meaning an email address and phone number; "All walk-in business for the Construction Office is now located in the Borough Clerk/ Tax Collector office." Where a roof permit is required, the Borough's construction fee section, Code section 120-2 (last amended October 1, 2024 by Ord. No. 24-20), has no roofing line and charges "Renovations, alterations, repairs, and minor work: $35 per $1,000 of the estimated cost of the work; minimum fee: $80." Inspection requests go by email or through the SDL portal with the permit number, address, type of inspection, specific type of work and the names and cell numbers of the person requesting and the person on site; "If any of the above requested information is missing, your inspection cannot be scheduled," and "Exact times cannot be given since the order and length of inspections vary." The page adds, "Please note that you must close out any open construction permits before selling your home."