Contractor Registration
Home Improvements will Increase Tax Assessments
Inspection Hours
Irrigation Installation
Pool Permits
Recommending a Contractor or Engineer
Requirements before Digging or Excavating
Requirements before Selling or Renting
Responsibility for Sidewalk Repairs
Responsible for Final Inspection
Roofing and Siding Permits
Tent Permits
Time Required to Obtain a Permit
When to Obtain a Building Permit
Q. Does my contractor have to be registered in Wyckoff?
A. No, Wyckoff does not require contractors to be registered in Wyckoff. Unless you are doing the work yourself, the plumber and electrician must be licensed and sign and seal the permit.
Q. Can the Building Department recommend a contractor or engineer or surveyor?
A. No, we cannot recommend a contractor or engineer or surveyor.
Q. When will I need a building permit?
A. Permits protect your rights as a homeowner and consumer and ensure your safety in your home. You must obtain a building permit from the town's building department before making the following changes to your house:
Large Construction Jobs*
| • | Building an addition |
| • | Building a new bedroom or bathroom |
| • | Building a garage, attached or detached |
| • | Finishing a basement |
| • | Enclosing a porch, new porch |
| • | Constructing a deck |
| • | Installing an in-ground or above ground pool |
*a variance may be required prior to obtaining permit.
Small Construction Jobs
| • | Interior alterations |
| • | Installing central air conditioning |
| • | Installing new siding |
| • | Installing a fireplace, gas or wood burning |
| • | Installing ductwork |
| • |
Installing or building a shed larger than 100 square feet |
| • | New wiring or outlets |
| • | Renovating a bathroom or kitchen |
| • | Installing an underground sprinkler system |
| • | Removing or abandoning an oil tank |
| • | Upgrading the electric service |
| • | Installing driveway post lights |
| • | Demolition of shed or building |
| • | Installing a concrete patio |
| • |
Installing new interior or exterior entry to house, garage or basement |
Renovating or Replacing
| • | Replacing an underground sprinkler system |
| • | Repairing a chimney |
| • |
Replacing or repairing a roof that exceeds 25% of the roof |
| • | Replacing siding that exceeds 25% of the house |
| • | Renovating porch or stairs |
| • | Renovating a garage or accessory building |
| • | Replacing an electric stove with a gas stove |
| • | Replacing a furnace, bioler, or hot water heater |
| • | Replacing central air conditioning |
| • | Modernizing plumbing |
Zoning Permits
| • |
Installing or building a shed less than 100 square feet |
| • | Installing or replacing a fence |
Engineering Permits
| • | Creating additional off-street parking |
| • | Piping leaders to seepage pits |
| • | Constructing a retaining wall |
| • | Replacing or installing septic system |
| • | Connecting to Town sewers |
| • | Curb cutting requires a permit |
| • | Replacing sidewalks and curbs |
Construction permits are obtained from the Construction Office in the lower level of the Town Hall. If building permits are not obtained for improvements, penalties are imposed.
Per N.J. State Law 13:45A-16.2 final inspections are required before final payment is made to contractor.
When You Don't Need a Permit
You don't need a permit for ordinary repairs on a one or two-family dwelling. These changes include:
| • | Repairing and replacing duct work |
| • |
Replacing any faucet or valve, if the piping system doesn't have to be rearranged |
| • |
Installing or replacing floor material, i.e. carpeting, kitchen floors, tile, linoleum or wood |
| • |
Covering walls, plastering or placing drywall on an existing wall |
| • | Painting the exterior or interior |
| • | Changing locks - single cylinger, dead bolts only |
| • |
Replacing any window or door, if no change in the dimensions or framing of the opening is involved |
| • |
Replacing glass in any window or door, if the replacement glass conforms to minimum requirements |
| • | Glazing and puttying windows |
| • | Window boxes |
| • | Installing and repairing window shutters |
| • |
Repairing roofing or siding material with like material, if the area doesn't exceed 25 percent of the roof within a year |
| • | Installing new gutters and leaders |
| • |
Landscape work, with the exception of retaining walls over 24" high |
| • | Resurfacing existing driveways |
| • | Repairing existing sidewalks |
For more information, call the Building Department at 201-891-7000
BUILDING PERMIT INFORMATION
Did You Know....
You can protect your home investment in our desirable town with no assessment increase by completing maintenance and repair as needed. Items requiring no permits include the following:
Some items of repair and maintenance do require permits. These are listed with a note to guide you as to which department will issue the permit.
For more information, call the Building Department at 201-891-7000 ext. 303 or 304.
When Storm Water Management Approval is Required:
Prior to any construction permit review by the Township Construction Office a storm water management approval is needed if your proposed construction activity includes:
• Construction of a one or two-family residence or applications involving the demolition of an existing one or two-family residence.
• Enlargement or expansion of an existing one or two-family residence in which the completed development shall have a roof surface area which is more than 33% greater than the existing roof surface area.
• Construction of an in-ground pool.
Applications for storm water management approval must be submitted to the Township Engineer, in the Construction Office before a construction application is submitted and the application must include the following:
• 2 copies of a grading plan prepared by a professional engineer licensed in NJ that includes, topography, elevations and drainage patterns. A written certification from the professional engineer certifying that there will be a zero increase in storm water runoff as a result of the proposed project.
• 2 copies of a landscaping plan showing existing and proposed trees, vegetation and proposed seepage pits and/or dry wells for the project.
• A $500.00 fee is required for the Township Engineer to review the grading and landscaping plan.
After approval by the Township Engineer and prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or approval for construction performed in accordance with this requirement, the applican's professional engineer shall certify in writing that the construction and/or landscaping was performed in accordance with the grading plans and that there is a zero increase in storm water runoff.
No construction permit shall be issued for any project applicable to this request when in the opinion of the Township Engineer; the application fails to provide zero increase in storm water runoff.
Applicants and builders should plan ahead and provide time in their project schedule for the approval process.
The Storm Water Management checklist is available in the Building Department and online.
Other improvements and alterations not listed may need a permit; therefore, please call the construction official at 201-891-7000 ext: 301 to make certain.
All construction permits are obtained from the Construction Official in the lower level of the Town Hall.
If building permits are not obtained for improvements, penalties are imposed.
Please call Town Hall at 201-891-7000 if you have any questions.
Q. Who has the responsibility for making sure that final inspections are called for and approved?
A. The homeowner is responsible to make sure final inspections are completed. Failure to close permits could result in hampering the sale or refinancing of your home as per State Statute N.J.A.C. Per N.J. State Law 13:45A-16.2 final inspections are required before final payment is made to your contractor.
Q. How much time is needed to obtain a permit?
A. The Building Department has 20 working days to review your permit. If it is not released in 20 working days, the application is considered denied.
Q. When are inspections performed?
| • |
Building inspections are Monday through Friday 1:30-5:00 pm. |
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Electric inspections are Monday through Friday 9:30 am-12 pm. |
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Plumbing inspections are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7-9 am. |
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Fire inspections are Monday through Friday 2-4 pm. |
Q. What is required when I sell or rent a property?
A. Wyckoff requires a Certificate of Compliance (smoke and carbon monoxide detector inspection) prior to the sale closing or rental of the property. An application, along with a $50.00 fee must be submitted. The Certificate of Compliance form is available both in the Building Department and online. It is best to plan for this inspection at least two weeks prior to the closing.
Q. When do I need a permit for an above ground pool?
A. Any pool, hot tub or spa larger than 24” deep or with a surface area larger than 250 square feet requires zoning approval and permits. A fence or barrier is also required.
Q. Who is responsible for the repair of the sidewalk in front of my house or business?
A. The property owner is responsible for the repair of sidewalks in front of their home. Section 165-2 of the Code of the Township of Wyckoff establishes that the owners and tenants, of all property (residential or commercial) abutting a sidewalk, responsible for cleaning all grass, weeds, snow, ice or other impediments from the sidewalk area. Before any repairs are made to the sidewalk the property owner must obtain a letter of approval from the Township Engineer.
Q: Will my tax assessment increase if I construct an improvement to my house?
A: Yes. The following improvements will increase your assessment.
| • | Kitchen remodeling |
| • | Bath remodeling |
| • | New exterior siding and veneers |
| • | Sun deck - portico - porch addition |
| • | In-ground swimming pools |
| • | Plumbing alteration, modernization and tiling |
| • | Installation of masonry patios |
| • |
Finish basement for recreation rooms, laundry rooms, and game rooms, etc. |
| • | Central air conditioning |
| • | Finish attic for additional rooms of any kind |
| • |
Additions to house for rooms of any kind, garage, greenhouse, etc. |
It is only logical that an improvement to your home as described above will result in an increased selling price of your home and therefore, your property tax assessment will increase. This will take the form of an added assessment tax bill that you will receive in the mail at the end of October after the improvement is substantially completed for its intended use. This bill shall be payable on November 1, February 1 and May 1 and then the added assessment amount will be included in your annual tax bill received in June for the new tax year. Therefore, just as you planned ahead for this improvement, you should also plan ahead and set aside funds for the added assessment tax bill.
The added assessment is the amount of the difference between the property assessment before the improvement and the value of the entire property after the improvement. It does not reflect the cost of the amenity itself or the cost of the project.
If you did not receive an Added Assessment Tax bill for work completed in the previous year, you will receive an "Omitted Added" Assessment bill in addition to an "Added Assessment" bill the year following the improvement.
Please note: Not scheduling a final inspection for your building permit does not delay the added assessment tax bill.
Q. Is a permit required for a temporary tent?
A. A permit is required if the temporary tent is over 900 square feet or is greater that 30 feet in any dimension.
Q. Is a permit required for an irrigation system?
A. Yes. A survey and location of the sprinkler heads on a property are required when applying for the permits. Sprinkler heads are not permitted in the right of way.
Q. Are permits needed for new roofing or siding?
A. Yes, permits are required.
Q. Do I need to contact anyone before I begin digging or excavating on my property?
A. Call before you dig. Planning a project that requires excavation, drilling or digging? To prevent accidents cause by hitting an underground utility line call NJ One Call (800-272-1000) at least three days ahead of time. The service will contact member utilities to mark the location of underground utility lines for you at no charge.