Bridgewater NJ - Code Enforcement

Department

Code Enforcement

Contact Us

Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-4:30pm

Phone: (908) 725-6300 ext. 5574

Email:
bwtcode@bridgewaternj.gov

Contacts

John Tillotson
Construction Official

All applications require FOUR copies, except for the Construction Permit Application

Permit Applications

Demolition Information

Information

This Department administers all construction within the Township. It issues building permits for residential, commercial and industrial construction within the Township.

After plans have been reviewed and accepted and the appropriate permits have been issued, inspections are performed to insure that all construction is in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) of New Jersey and its adopted codes. It is also the responsibility of this Department to issue violations and fines when warranted and Certificates of Approval and Occupancy upon final inspections and approval of all projects. All these activities are recorded, tabulated and reported to the State on a monthly basis.

Permits

A construction permit represents legal permission to begin a construction project. The issuance of a permit indicates that plans for a project have been released by Bridgewater Township officials and have complied with the UCC and Township ordinances.

Inspections During Construction

Building Subcode Inspections

Note: No building inspection will be made prior to any required electric or plumbing inspection approval.

Bottom of footing prior to placement of concrete
Reinforcement prior to placement of concrete
Foundations and all walls prior to backfilling – new single family construction must have foundation elevation compliance from the Engineering Department before this inspection is scheduled
Floor slab(s) prior to placement of concrete
Frame inspection which includes all structural walls, floors and roofs prior to covering with finish or infill materials. Rated assemblies. This inspection shall be called for after rough electric and plumbing approvals have been obtained
Insulation inspection prior to installation of finished materials
Final inspection which includes equipment, final connections and all finish materials

Electric Subcode Inspections

Rough electric under concrete slab prior to backfill and placement of concrete
Rough electric which includes outlet spacing, type of box and size, wire size and grounding prior to covering with finish or infill materials
Service which includes panel(s) wire size, grounding and over current protection
Final inspection which includes devices, fixtures, appliances, GFI requirements after installation of finish materials and utilization equipment

Plumbing Subcode Inspections

Rough plumbing under concrete slab prior to backfill and placement of concrete
Rough plumbing which includes sanitary piping, water piping, storm drains and radon piping
Water service from building to property line or curb line
Sewer service from building to property line or curb line
Final plumbing which includes piping, trim, fixtures, cross connections, backflow preventors, radon, condensate lines and water meters
Rough gas piping – requires gas test
Final gas piping to all appliances requiring gas
Final on hydronic heating systems and hot water heaters
Final air conditioning on all units manufactured for domestic and commercial cooling

Fire Subcode Inspections

Final inspection which includes a performance test to demonstrate its efficiency of operation and alarms

For renovations and projects other than new construction, contact the Code Enforcement Department for inspection requirements.

Obligation During Construction

Code inspections can be scheduled on an am/pm basis. The applicant may request the day and time window. It should be noted that this is a request only and is not guaranteed. In some cases, due to the nature of the inspections, those scheduled for morning might need to be performed in the afternoon. Also, if there is no access for the inspector to conduct his/her inspections, a sticker will be left notifying applicants to reschedule their inspection.

Inspectors must have a minimum of 24 hours advance notice and must be able to see the part of construction required to be inspected.

Any work that does not conform to the approved plans will require re-inspection. If the work continues without resolving the problem, the applicant will be fined and the job stopped.

Applicants are required to post the permit prominently on the site and to keep a copy of the approved plans at the site.

When the project is completed, the applicant must call for final building, electric, plumbing and fire inspections. The applicant must also apply for a Certificate of Occupancy. If the work is approved, a Certificate will be issued indicating permission to use the area for the intended purpose.

Property must be properly identified – House number conspicuously displayed for viewing from the street and construction placard conspicuously displayed on the building.