Union County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

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

Application Process

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.

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