County Building Permits
Union County, NJ - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Union County, New Jersey. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated areas of Union County not within incorporated municipalities.
- Department
- NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Code Enforcement
- Address
- 140 Perryville Rd, Hampton, NJ 08827 (NJ DCA Northern Office)
- Website
- https://www.nj.gov/dca/codes/
Online Permit Portal
Platform: NJ DCA • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Contact NJ DCA Division of Local Code Enforcement, Northern Office for project guidance.
- Obtain zoning approval from Union County Planning Board if required.
- Complete UCC Construction Permit Application with all required subcode sections.
- Submit construction plans and supporting documentation to DCA office.
- Pay plan review fees and permit fees.
- Schedule inspections through DCA office.
Typical processing time: 10-30 business days depending on project complexity and review requirements.
Source: NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Code Enforcement
General Requirements
A building permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, and structural work in unincorporated Union County.
Required Documents
- UCC Construction Permit Application (F100)
- Construction plans and specifications
- Zoning approval or zoning documentation
- Applicable subcode technical sections
- Property survey (typically required)
- Permit validity
- Permit valid for 12 months from date of issuance; must pass inspection within 12 months of last inspection activity.
- Building code
- New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (UCC)
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders must comply with NJ Uniform Construction Code requirements.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold appropriate state licenses, insurance, and workers compensation coverage.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $70-$100
- Plan check fee
- Percentage of construction permit fee (typically 20-25%)
- Permit fee formula
- Based on volume or cost of construction per UCC schedule.
- Penalty (no permit)
- Up to $2,000 per violation for work without permit
- Payment note
- State DCA surcharge (training fee) added to all permits. Certificate of Occupancy: Additional fee applies.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Ordinary repairs and maintenance (painting, wallpapering, floor covering)
- Minor electrical/plumbing repairs by licensed contractors
- Certain minor work as defined in N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.17A
Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Contact DCA office or county planning board to verify exemption status.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- NJ DCA Northern Office (phone)
- 140 Perryville Rd, Hampton, NJ 08827 (in-person)
- Inspection hours
- Contact NJ DCA for specific office hours
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Foundation, Framing, Rough MEP, Insulation/Energy, Fire Systems, Final Inspection (all trades) and Certificate of Occupancy.
Additional Resources
- Building code: New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (UCC)
- Verify contractor license: NJ HIC (Home Improvement Contractor) License Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- NJ Department of Community Affairs - Division of Codes and Standards
- Union County Planning Board
- NJ Uniform Construction Code Resources
- License lookup guide: New Jersey Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: New Jersey Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- New Jersey hub: New Jersey Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Code Enforcement before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Union County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Union County, NJ?
- A building permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, and structural work in unincorporated Union County.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Union County, NJ?
- The minimum permit fee is $70-$100. Fees are calculated as: Based on volume or cost of construction per UCC schedule.. Plan check fee: Percentage of construction permit fee (typically 20-25%).
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Union County, NJ?
- 1. Contact NJ DCA Division of Local Code Enforcement, Northern Office for project guidance. 2. Obtain zoning approval from Union County Planning Board if required. 3. Complete UCC Construction Permit Application with all required subcode sections. 4. Submit construction plans and supporting documentation to DCA office. 5. Pay plan review fees and permit fees. 6. Schedule inspections through DCA office.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Union County, NJ?
- Typical processing time is 10-30 business days depending on project complexity and review requirements..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Union County, NJ?
- The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary repairs and maintenance (painting, wallpapering, floor covering); Minor electrical/plumbing repairs by licensed contractors; Certain minor work as defined in N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.17A. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Contact DCA office or county planning board to verify exemption status.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Union County, NJ?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: NJ DCA Northern Office, 140 Perryville Rd, Hampton, NJ 08827.
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