Union County, NJ — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Code Enforcement

Street address

140 Perryville Rd, Hampton, NJ 08827 (NJ DCA Northern Office)

Coverage

Unincorporated areas of Union County not within incorporated municipalities.

Online portal

NJ Department of Community Affairs

NJ DCA

Additional resources

NJ DCA Construction Permit Forms ↗

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Union County

A building permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, and structural work in unincorporated Union County.

Scope of work

Permit?

Ordinary repairs and maintenance (painting, wallpapering, floor covering)

Exempt

Minor electrical/plumbing repairs by licensed contractors

Exempt

Certain minor work as defined in N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.17A

Exempt

Exempt Ordinary repairs and maintenance (painting, wallpapering, floor covering)
Exempt Minor electrical/plumbing repairs by licensed contractors
Exempt 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.

Required documents

UCC Construction Permit Application (F100)
Construction plans and specifications
Zoning approval or zoning documentation
Applicable subcode technical sections
Property survey (typically required)

Building code: New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (UCC)
Permit validity: Permit valid for 12 months from date of issuance; must pass inspection within 12 months of last inspection activity.
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.

Source: NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Code Enforcement ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 10-30 business days depending on project complexity and review requirements.

01

Contact NJ DCA Division of Local Code Enforcement, Northern Office for project guidance.
02

Obtain zoning approval from Union County Planning Board if required.
03

Complete UCC Construction Permit Application with all required subcode sections.
04

Submit construction plans and supporting documentation to DCA office.
05

Pay plan review fees and permit fees.
06

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 ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Union County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

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

State DCA surcharge (training fee) added to all permits. Certificate of Occupancy: Additional fee applies.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

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 sequence: Typical sequence: Foundation, Framing, Rough MEP, Insulation/Energy, Fire Systems, Final Inspection (all trades) and Certificate of Occupancy.

Source: NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Code Enforcement ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Union County permits

01 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.

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Union County, NJ? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Union County, NJ are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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%).

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Union County, NJ? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Union County, NJ, follow these steps: 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.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Union County, NJ? ▸

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Union County, NJ typically run 10-30 business days depending on project complexity and review requirements.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Union County, NJ? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Union County, NJ? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Union County, NJ via: NJ DCA Northern Office, 140 Perryville Rd, Hampton, NJ 08827.

last verified April 2026 source NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Code Enforcement ↗ entry id permits/new-jersey/union/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Code Enforcement before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Union County