Building Department

The Building Department includes administration and enforcement of zoning, building and other codes as well as the maintenance of Borough Hall.  Within the Building Department, the Tenafly Construction Agency enforces the New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code (UCC).

The Building Department is located in the Municipal Center.  Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, through Friday.  UCC permits are issued each day until 1:00 p.m.  Call 201-568-6100, ext. 5505 for additional information.  Should you wish to directly contact any of the Building Department's full time staff via email, point to and click on that person's name, underlined on the above list .  Once your message has been received, the person you have contacted will respond, in most instances, within one business day.

UCC construction permits provide the means for state licensed Code Officials to protect residents by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction thereby ensuring the public health, safety and welfare.

The permit process helps to explain what our local laws and ordinances require.  Before any construction or remodeling work begins, an application for a permit must be made. Construction permits provide the means for Code Officials to inspect construction to ensure that minimum standards are met and appropriate materials are used.

If you are contemplating doing any of the following work, please call or visit the Construction Office at Borough Hall:

• New building/additions/renovations
• Demolitions
• Electrical and plumbing work
• Boiler and furnace replacements
• Window replacement when changing size or type
• Oil tank removal
• Reroofing
• Fences
• Sheds
• Signs
• Miscellaneous residential construction such as siding, pools, desks, patios, driveways, etc.

There is certain construction work that you may be allowed to do without first obtaining permits such as laying floor (not wall) tiles, painting, replacing same size windows and doors, repaving driveway with the same material and same size, etc., but if you are in doubt, a call to the Building Department is recommended.

Permits must be obtained before that start of work except that emergency replacement of furnaces, boilers and water heaters will be allowed as long as the Building Department is notified of the replacement at the time of installation and permits are obtained within five days thereafter.

If you need a permit for the work, the permit process and fees will be explained to you by the Building Department personnel at the time of your visit or your telephone call, and you will be given the forms that you will need to apply for a permit.

The Permit Process in A Nutshell

1. Visit or call your local code official. The Code Official will ask "What are you going to do and where are you going to do it?"  Then, he will explain the requirements (codes/ordinances) regarding your project.  The initial contact will provide the resources and information you will need to make your project a success and avoid the potential problems that could cost you time and money.

2. Submit application. The permit application requires information about your construction project.  You will be asked to document who will perform the work and what, when and how the work will be done. Sketches, drawings, plans or other documentation of the work will have to be submitted for review.  Also, you must pay the appropriate permit fees.

3. Waiting during review process. The majority of permit applications are processed with little delay. The Code Official will determine if your project is in compliance with the construction codes, zoning ordinance and other municipal or state ordinances and statutes.

4. Receive results of review process. If compliance with the code and other applicable regulations is determined, the application is approved and a permit is issued.  If compliance is not determined, your application as submitted will be denied.  If you are refused a building permit, you can correct the Code violation(s) or you may appeal the decision.

5. Receive permit. The building permit is the document granting legal permission for you or your contractor to start construction.  You must proceed as approved pursuant to the permit.  Inspections required for your project will be indicated on the permit.  You will be required to post the permit in a window or other prominent place at the construction site, keep a copy of the approved plans at the site and bring any proposed changes to the attention of the Code Official immediately.  Changes will require a review and approval in the same manner as the original application.

6. Arrange inspection visits. Each major phase of construction must be inspected by the Code Official to make certain the work conforms to the appropriate code, the building permit, and the approved plans.  Normally, 24 hours advance notice is required.  You must call the Building Department to schedule an inspection.

7. Receive Certificate of Occupancy. When code compliance is determined, the inspector issues a certificate of occupancy.  This certificate is the formal document that marks the completion of your construction project and gives you permission to occupy your new or renovated building with the knowledge that it has satisfied the safety standards of the building code and the Borough of Tenafly.

Understanding Zoning

Some permits, specifically those which involve changes to the exterior of your property, will require a zoning review, such as fences, pools, decks, tennis courts, additions, driveways, sheds, etc.  You will be asked to submit a copy of your plot plan (property survey) so that the Zoning Officer can review your project for compliance with the Zoning Ordinance. 

If you can not comply with the Zoning Ordinance for any reason, you must obtain a variance from the Board of Adjustment before your project can proceed. The Zoning Officer is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the Zoning Ordinance, but may not waive its requirements.  That power is granted by law to the Board of Adjustment.  If your project requires a variance, the Zoning Officer will explain the application process to you.

You may purchase a copy of the Zoning Ordinance, or you may purchase copies of specific pages of the code, to determine the requirements and limitations that apply in your particular zoning district, or you may simply discuss your project with the Zoning Officer.

Property Maintenance Code

The local Building Department is also the office that enforces the Property Maintenance Code, which is a law enacted to ensure that an existing structure and its exteriors are maintained in a safe and blight-free manner.  Property maintenance violations may include high grass or weeds, garbage, litter, unsightly buildings, unregistered or "junk" vehicles, etc.  You may report any property maintenance code violations to the Building Department.

Registration of Contractors

Borough Ordinance No. 89-15 regulates the registration of contractors.  No person, partnership, corporation or other entity shall engage in business as a building contractor within the Borough of Tenafly until such person shall obtain a Certificate of Registration from the Construction Code Official. Building permits shall be issued only to persons holding a valid Certificate of Registration or to an owner or occupant of the premises upon which the work is to be done provided the owner or occupant shall sign a statement that said owner or occupant will actually do the work himself or herself.

Construction Hours

Borough regulations prohibit construction work on weekends and legal holidays except in emergency situations.  The erection (including excavating and site preparation), demolition, alteration or repair of any building shall be prohibited other than during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays only, except in the interest of public health and safety, and then only with a permit from the Construction Code Official, which permit may be granted for a period not to exceed three (3) days or less while the emergency continues and which permit may be renewed for periods of three (3) days or less while the emergency continues.

No building contractor shall permit any of the contractor's employees or subcontractors to report to the work site or assemble or congregate on any public street in the vicinity thereof prior to fifteen (15) minutes before the 7:00 a.m. starting time nor to remain on the work site more than fifteen (15) minutes beyond the 7:00 p.m. closing time. 

Owners or occupants of property who perform the work of a building contractor on their own building or structure may perform such work on weekends.  Such work on weekends shall be prohibited other than during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and such construction activity shall not exceed the limits set forth in the Borough of Tenafly Noise Control Ordinance.

Regulation of use of landscaping and yard maintenance equipment

Borough Ordinance No. 98-26 regulates the use of landscaping and yard maintenance equipment.  The operation of such equipment shall be permitted when operated with a muffler on residential property or within 250 feet of a residential property when operated on a commercial or business property on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., except that such equipment may be used by an occupant or owner of the premises between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays; on Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., except that such equipment may be used by an occupant or owner of the premises on Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and on Sundays and legal holidays between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  The operation of such equipment at all other times shall be prohibited and shall not exceed the limits set forth in the Borough of Tenafly Noise Control Ordinance.

Protection & removal of trees

Borough Ordinance No. 98-08, as amended, entitled the "Tree Removal and Protection Ordinance of the Borough of Tenafly," regulates the removal of trees on private property in certain cases.  If you are contemplating removing a tree on your property, you should contact the Building Department to find out if a permit is required.  If a permit is required, you must complete and submit a Tree Removal Permit Application to the Building Department and obtain a permit before removing any tree or trees.

Stormwater management regulations

Borough Ordinance No. 01-01 establishes regulations for the management of stormwater.  Any building plan that will add impervious coverage to a property must be reviewed by the Borough Engineer to ensure that preventive measures are put in place to protect persons and property and preserve the public health, safety and welfare. If you are contemplating any construction that may be affected by the stormwater regulations, you should contact the Building Department.