Building Permit
Building permits provide the means for Code Officials to protect the residents' health, safety, and welfare by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction.
The building permit process helps to explain the requirements needed to fulfill Old Tappan's local laws and ordinances. An application for a permit must be made before any construction or remodeling work begins. Building permits provide the Code Officials with the means to review the construction documents to ensure that minimum standards are met and appropriate materials are used.
The following work requires a Permit Application:
- New building/additions/renovations Demolitions
- Electrical and plumbing work
- Boiler and furnace replacements
- Window replacement when changing size or type
- Oil tank removal
- Fences
- Sheds
- Sewer connections
- Signs
- Miscellaneous residential construction such as:
- Siding, pools, decks, elevated patios, driveways, etc.
The following work does not need a Permit:
- laying floor (not wall) tiles
- painting
- Re-Roofing
- Siding
- replacing same size windows and doors
- repaving driveway with the same material and same size, etc.
When in doubt, please call the Building Department.
Permits must be obtained before the start of work.
For the Building Department's applications, Click here.
To see the Department of Energy's official Building Energy Codes, click here.
Exceptions include emergency replacement of furnaces, boilers and water heaters. However, the Building Department must be notified of the emergency replacement at the time of installation. Permits must be obtained within five days from the date of the installation.