N.J.A.C. 5:23 — UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE (Subchapter 1 to 12A)

(a) These regulations shall be known as the "Regulations for the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code" and are referred to herein as "the regulations". (b) The chapter consists of the following subchapters: 1. "General provisions" which may be cited throughout the regulations as …

These regulations are promulgated by the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs pursuant to the authority of the "State Uniform Construction Code Act" ( P.L. 1975, c.217, as amended). Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-1.2

(a) It is the intent and purpose of the regulations: 1. To encourage innovation and economy in construction and to provide requirements for construction and construction materials consistent with nationally recognized standards. 2. To formulate such requirements, to the extent pr…

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. "Alteration" means the rearrangement of any space by the construction of walls or partitions, the addition or elimination of any door or wi…

(a) The provisions of the regulations shall take effect on January 1, 1977. All construction regulations incorporated in any act of the State of New Jersey, or of any municipality presently in effect, or validly promulgated or enacted by any board, department, commission or agenc…

(a) For a period of six months following the operative date of a subcode revision, applicants may submit a complete permit application, including all prior approvals, to be reviewed under the code in force immediately preceding the subcode revision. Provided that the application …

(a) If any provision of the regulations or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity shall not effect other provisions or applications of the regulations which can be given effect, and to this end the provisions of the regulations are …

(a) This part of the regulations, adopted pursuant to the State Uniform Construction Code Act, P.L. 1975, c. 217, as amended and as supplemented by P.L. 1989, c.186 (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.), and entitled Radon Hazard Subcode, shall be known, and may be cited throughout the r…

The following words, terms, and abbreviations, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. "Foundation pipe drain" means a drain placed around the perimeter of a foundation that utilizes a perforated pipe. An "in…

(a) The provisions of this subchapter shall be enforced by the enforcing agencies having responsibility for the enforcement of this chapter. (b) Enforcement responsibility shall be divided among subcode officials in the following manner: 1. Plan review and inspection with regard …

(a) Tier one radon hazard areas shall be identified in accordance with the county/municipal radon listing established by the Department of Environmental Protection. The current list of municipalities in tier one areas is set forth in Appendix 10-A of this subcode. (b) Group E bui…

(a) Pursuant to authority at P.L. 1999, c. 50 (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-123.9 et seq.), the Commissioner hereby adopts the playground safety guidelines of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, known as the 2010 edition of the "Handbook for Public Playground Safety" (Pub. N…

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. "Completely inclusive playground" shall mean a playground designated for public use for children two to five years of age or five to 12 …

(a) No permit shall be required for any element of playground construction that is not otherwise subject to the permit requirements of the State Uniform Construction Code. (b) Compliance with the requirements of this subcode shall be the responsibility of the manager of the facil…

(a) All governmental and for-profit private entities operating playgrounds shall upgrade their playgrounds by replacement or improvement as necessary to comply with this subcode by October 18, 2004 for surfacing and by October 18, 2007 for all other elements, or, in the case of g…

(a) This subchapter of the rules adopted pursuant to the authority of the Uniform Construction Code Act, entitled "Elevator Safety Subcode," shall be known and cited throughout this chapter as subchapter 12 or N.J.A.C. 5:23-12, and when referred to in this subchapter may be cited…

(a) For purposes of this subchapter, a "seasonal facility" is defined as a building that is open, and available for use by members of the public, employees or maintenance personnel or any occupants, for a period of not more than 184 consecutive days and is then closed and not ava…

(a) Following an accident involving an elevator device, the owner of the building shall immediately notify the construction official, who shall immediately notify the elevator subcode official and the Department, when the accident meets at least one of the following conditions: 1…

(a) On all existing elevators, a space between the elevator hoistway door and the car door or gate shall comply with the requirements of Rule 204.4e of ASME A17.1-1990. Where the space exceeds the maximum distance, a space guard shall be installed to minimize the gap. Sight guard…

(a) Periodic and acceptance tests and inspections, if applicable, shall be required on all new, altered, and existing elevators, dumbwaiters, moving walks, wheelchair lifts, manlifts, and stairway chairlifts. The required cyclical inspections and tests shall be performed in accor…

(a) Periodic and acceptance inspections and test of elevators shall be conducted as follows: 1. Periodic inspections shall be made at intervals of not more than six months for all escalators. Inspection intervals for ASME A17.1 elevator devices other than escalators shall not exc…

(a) On or before July 1, 1992, and thereafter as required by (e) below, the owner of every existing structure containing one or more elevator devices, other than a structure of Group R-3, R-4, or R-5, or other than an elevator device wholly within a dwelling unit in a structure o…

The initial registration fee for each elevator device in any structure that is not of Group R-3, R-4, or R-5, or that is not an exempted structure of Group R-2, shall be $ 76.00. A reregistration fee of $ 76.00 shall be required for each structure containing one or more elevator …

(a) The Departmental fees for witnessing acceptance tests and performing inspections on new and altered elevator devices shall be as follows: 1. The basic fees for elevator devices in structures not of Group R-3, R-4, or R-5, or in an exempted structure of Group R-2, shall be as …

(a) All elevator subcode officials and inspectors shall be licensed according to N.J.A.C. 5:23-5.5. (b) Any person aggrieved by any decision of the Department under these rules shall be entitled to a hearing pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-5.2. (c) A licensed elevator subcode official …

(a) For the purposes of this subchapter, alteration of an elevator device means any change to equipment other than minor work as provided in (b) below and ordinary maintenance, as defined at N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7(c)6. Alteration of an elevator device shall comply with the applicable …

(a) A device shall be granted a certificate of compliance by the construction official for the time period specified based upon N.J.A.C. 5:23-12.3. No device shall be operated unless a valid certificate of compliance has been issued except for the initial period after work under …

(a) This part of the regulations, adopted pursuant to authority of the State Uniform Construction Code Act, and entitled "Administration and enforcement; process", shall be known and may be cited throughout the regulations as N.J.A.C. 5:23-2, and when referred to in subchapter 2 …

(a) An application for a variation pursuant to this section shall be filed in writing with the construction official and shall state specifically: 1. A statement of the requirements of the subcode from which a variation is sought; 2. A statement of the manner by which strict comp…

Within 20 business days next succeeding the receipt by the construction official of the application, it shall be denied or granted by written order stating the reasons therefor. The application shall be deemed denied for purposes of appeal if no decision is forthcoming within suc…

The appropriate subcode official(s) shall make the final determination with respect to matters within their jurisdiction. The construction official shall notify the applicant of that determination. Whenever an application for a variation shall result in contradictory or inconsist…

The enforcing agency with plan review responsibility shall have the sole authority to grant variations. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-2.13

(a) It shall be unlawful to construct, enlarge, repair, renovate, alter, reconstruct or demolish a structure, or change the use of a building or structure, or portion thereof, or to install or alter any equipment for which provision is made or the installation of which is regulat…

(a) The application for a permit shall be submitted on the standard Construction Permit Application form, or its electronic equivalent, prescribed by the Commissioner at N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.5(b)2 and shall be accompanied by the required fee, as provided for in this subchapter and N.J…

(a) Any application for a construction permit for a single-family residence shall be made either electronically or by a physical submission. Physical submissions shall be accompanied by at least two copies of plans drawn to scale, with sufficient clarity and detailed dimensions t…

(a) All enforcing agencies shall have a method of accepting and processing electronic permit applications and electronic plan submissions. Such systems shall meet the following criteria: 1. The system shall be accessible through the internet and be available to applicants on a 24…

(a) Action on application: The construction official or the appropriate subcode official in the case of construction involving only one trade or subcode, shall examine or cause to be examined all applications for permits and amendments thereto, and approve or deny in whole or in …

(a) Copies of the following documents shall be retained by the construction official for the life of the building or structure: 1. Construction applications; 2. Permits; 3. Permit updates; 4. Decisions on applications for variations; 5. Decisions of the Construction Board of Appe…

(a) Service connections: Before a structure can be demolished or removed, the owner or agent shall notify all utilities having service connections within the structure, such as water, electric, gas, sewer and other connections. A permit to demolish or remove a structure shall not…

(a) The issuance of a permit shall not be required before minor work may proceed. The owner, or an architect or contractor acting on behalf of the owner, shall, however, provide notice of the work to the enforcing agency before work begins. (b) Notice of work; application: 1. Not…

(a) Preliminary inspection: Before issuing a permit, the construction official and appropriate subcode official shall, where necessary, examine or cause to be examined all buildings, structures and sites for which an application has been filed for a construction permit. (b) Inspe…

(a) Whenever a public utility proposes to undertake a program of installing load management devices at the properties of a substantial number of service customers within a limited period of time, it may apply to the Department for permission to utilize the procedure set forth in …

(a) Whenever an electric utility proposes to undertake installation of area lighting facilities located on private property on metal poles with an underground electric feed, having no ancillary utility facilities attached to said poles, the utility shall follow the procedures set…

(a) It shall be unlawful to continue the use and occupancy of a swimming pool, spa or hot tub until a copy of a valid bonding and grounding certificate has been made available to the construction official, the pool, spa or hot tub has been inspected, and an electrical certificate…

(a) It shall be unlawful to operate a portable or vehicle-mounted generator and the associated components of the portable distribution system serving carnivals and fairs until a valid certificate of compliance, issued in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.20(f), has been made availa…

(a) Whenever the construction official and the appropriate subcode official determine that a need for special technical services exists with regard to a particular project for which the municipal enforcing agency is classified to perform plan review, the construction official may…

(a) The provisions of the regulations shall apply to all buildings and structures and their appurtenant construction, including vaults, area and street projections, and accessory additions; and shall apply with equal force to municipal, county, State, and private buildings, excep…

(a) All tests required by the provisions of the regulations shall be made and conducted under the supervision of the enforcing agency in accordance with such inspection and test procedures as may be prescribed by the provisions of the regulations, with the expense of all tests an…

(a) Responsibilities: The provisions of this section shall define the construction controls required for all buildings involving professional architecture/engineering services and delineate the responsibilities of such professional services together with those services that are t…

(a) Premanufactured construction certified in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-4A and 4D, as applicable, and carrying an appropriate label, shall be accepted as conforming to the requirements of the regulations to the extent provided for by the particular label for purposes of local…