Approvals for a deck or porch on a house in New Jersey
This is the list ShovelCue builds for a deck or porch on a house in New Jersey before it knows anything else about the site. It has 7 items in 4 groups.
Required the rules say soLikely usual for this kind of projectCheck locally depends on the site or the town
Land Use & Entitlements
Zoning Permit
LikelyThe zoning office checks the setbacks and lot coverage of a deck or porch. In New Jersey zoning approval must be in place before the construction permit is issued.
- Agency
- Municipal zoning officer
- Source
- law.cornell.edu
HOA or Architectural Review Approval
Check locallyAn HOA may need to approve the deck or porch before it is built.
Design & Permit Documents
Plot Plan or Survey of the Work
LikelyA plot plan or survey shows where the deck sits against the property lines.
- State rule
- Shows where the work sits against the property lines, so zoning and the building department can check it.
- Source
- codes.iccsafe.org
Permit Drawings for the Work
LikelySimple drawings of the size, framing, footings and railings for the permit review.
- State rule
- Drawings of the size, structure and systems of the work for the permit review.
- Source
- codes.iccsafe.org
Permits & Construction Authorizations
Building Permit
RequiredA deck or porch attached to the house or more than 30 inches above grade needs a building permit.
- State rule
- The building permit. Many towns start the review only after the earlier approvals are in hand.
- Clock
- Set by law
- Rule
- N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.15, 5:23-2.16; NJ DCA Bureau of Construction Project Review
Certificate of Approval
RequiredThe inspector checks the footings, framing and railings and closes the permit. In New Jersey the construction official issues a certificate of approval once the final inspections pass.
- Agency
- Municipal construction official
- Source
- law.cornell.edu
Construction Readiness
Utility Mark-Out Complete
LikelyCall 811 before digging the footings so the utility lines are marked.
- State rule
- New Jersey One Call marks the utility lines. Call at least 3 business days before digging.
- Clock
- Set by law
- Rule
- N.J.S.A. 48:2-73 et seq.
Sources
- law.cornell.eduZoning Permit
- codes.iccsafe.orgPlot Plan or Survey of the Work
- law.cornell.eduCertificate of Approval
Items with no source link come from the national list and are decided by the town or the site. Ask the local office.
Other project types in New Jersey
This is general information from public sources. It is not legal advice. Confirm every item with your town and the agencies named before you rely on it.