BUILDING DEPARTMENT/ Code Enforcement
550 Edison St., Ridgefield, NJ 07657
Phone: 201-943-5546
Fax: 201-945-2969
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Note: NO Financial transations after 3:00 p.m
Construction Code Official-Armand S. Marini III
A. Marini E-Mail: amarini@ridgefieldboro.com
Technical Asst./Office manager - Diana Alvarez
D. Alvarez E-Mail: dalavarez@ridgefieldboro.com
Zoning Officer- Jimmy Kim
Building Subcode Official - Armand S. Marini III
Electric Subcode Official - Robert Menist
Plumbing Subcode Official - Michael Sestonovich
Temporary Fire-Subcode Official - Charles Batch
Elevator Subcode Official - Russell H. Kunz
Housing Inspectors - Greg K. Yfantis
Property Maintenance Inspector - Susan Abernathy
Inspections Schedule
Type Dates & Times
Building Inspections Tues & Thurs, 2:30pm-5pm
Electric Inspections Tues & Thurs, 7am-10am
Plumbing Inspections Tues & Thurs, 3pm-6pm
Fire Inspections Tues & Thurs, 10:30am-12:30pm
The Building Department also is responsible for the following:
House rentals
House sales (Continued Certificate of Occupancy)
Rental of business (Continued Certificate of Occupancy)
Sale of building
Zoning application - one and two family dwellings, construction/alterations
Zoning application - business use
Zoning application - business construction/alteration
Contractor's registration
Certificate of Occupancy for new construction/addition
Smoke Detector Compliance Certificate
Limo inspection for license
Tree removal
All inspections, permits, and demolition of any structure
Zoning approvals are needed before beginning driveways, walkways, fences, retaining walls, pools, antennas, decks, air conditioners, heating systems, sheds, signs, tree removals, and other procedures. A copy of your survey showing the proposed work must be submitted along with your signed application.
Permits are required on all water heaters (must have a permit and inspected prior to calling the DPW for pick up), boilers, roofing, siding, sprinkler systems, etc. All plumbing and electrical work done in a one-family dwelling can be done by the homeowner as long as the house is not a rental. All plumbing and electric work done in a two-family dwelling must be done by contractors licensed in the State of New Jersey.
It is important that the homeowner after picking up permit post the yellow card in the window or on the door where it is easily visible to our Borough inspectors. ALL FINAL INSPECTIONS ARE REQUIRED BEFORE FINAL PAYMENT IS TO BE MADE TO THE CONTRACTOR. THIS IS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE RESIDENT THAT ALL WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED PURSUANT TO THE NEW JERSEY STATE LAW 13:45A-16.2.
All rentals of any dwelling requires a Rental Certificate of Occupancy. This includes all ONE AND TWO FAMILY HOUSES and multi dwelling apartments. ALL RESALES of any dwelling (residential, commercial) in the Borough of Ridgefield requires a Continued Certificate of Occupancy (CCO). Please be advised that violations will be subject to penalties and/or fines if required applications are not obtained.
All zoning applications, permit applications, and Rental and/or Resale Continued Certificate of Occupancy applications can be downloaded or obtained from the Building Department located at 550 Edison Street. If you have a question as to whether your contractor has applied for a permit or other questions, please
Forms and Documents
General Information
All zoning applications, permit applications, and Rental and/or Resale Continued Certificate of Occupancy applications can be obtained from the Building Department located at 550 Edison Street
Illegal Occupancy Process
Individual (Reporter) enters Borough Hall to report a possible illegal occupancy.
Reported is greeted by Borough employee and given form R 0.1
Reporter completes form R 0.1 reporting a possible illegal occupancy (note: if
Reporter requests to remain anonymous, the form is completed and so stated).
Borough employee documents report into Borough's Illegal Occupancy Log Book.
Borough employee then time dates and stamps form R 0.1
Borough employee checks Excel® spreadsheet to confirm if this address has been previously reported.
If previously reported in the last (60) days, employee will stamp form R 0.1 with PREVIOUSLY REPORTED stamp, so note the log, make copies of form R 0.1 for the Reporter and file original. Borough employee should communicate with the
Reporter that this address has been previously reported and if requested point out previous log entries in Borough Illegal Occupancy Log Book. Every effort should be made to thank the Reporter and assure them that in fact this address has been previously reported and currently being investigated.
If previous report is greater than (60) days, employee will stamp form R 0.1 with PREVIOUSLY REPORTED stamp, so note the log, make copies of form R 0.1 for reporter, file original and forward copy to Borough Tax Office. Borough employee should communicate with the Reporter that this address has been previously reported and if requested point out previous log entries in Borough Illegal Occupancy Log Book. Every effort should be made to thank the Reporter and assure them that in fact this address has been previously reported. That a representative of the Zoning Office will review file and if necessary investigate for repeated violation.
If not previous reported, employee would stamp form R 0.1 with ORIGINAL REPORT stamp, so note the log, make copies of form R 0.1 for the Reporter, file original and forward copy to Borough Tax Office. Borough employee should communicate with the Reporter that this address has not been previously reported and that a representative of the zoning office will investigate said property. The Tax Office will input the owner of record's name, block and lot number as well as the number of dwelling units (apartments) as noted on Borough tax record (tax card) for the reported address. The Tax Office will then forward R 0.1 to the Zoning Office.
The Zoning Office of the Borough of Ridgefield will investigate reported property. When investigation reveals evidence of an illegal occupancy, the Zoning Officer will obtain a municipal warrant and inspect the reported address.
Upon completion of investigation:
When report is unfounded, investigation reveals no illegal occupancy, all records will be updated to document same (i.e. Excel® spreadsheet, Borough Illegal Occupancy Log Book, etc.).
When the investigation reveals what appears to be an illegal occupancy. The Zoning Officer shall issue the appropriate summon and complaint.
Copies of this summon and complaint will be forwarded to the Ridgefield Municipal Court Clerk.
The Ridgefield Relocation Officer will be notified.
The Ridgefield Zoning Office will review and prepare case for trail.
The Borough Clerk's Office will be copied on all reports so that log books can
be updated.
Upon adjudication of summon and complaint: Notice will be forwarded to the Reporter as to the court's findings as well as to the Borough Clerk's Office. When said adjudication results in establishing an illegal occupancy did exist at the time of inspection leading to a conviction: The appropriate reward will be paid to the reporter of record.
Illegal Occupancy & Apartments
“AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 140-2 OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF RIDGEFIELD ENTITLED FEES, PERTAINING TO FEES CHARGED BY THE BOROUGH'S BUILDING DEPARTMENT”
BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ridgefield as follows:
Section I: Section 140-2 of the Code of the Borough of Ridgefield, entitled “Fees”, and pertaining to the fees to be charged by the Borough's Building Department, be, and hereby is, amended as follows: (The Ordinance is reprinted below. Portions of the existing ordinance which are to be deleted are printed with strikethroughs, and new wording that is to be added is printed in bold italics.)
§ 140-2. Fees. [Amended 7-27-1992 by Ord. No. 1474; 5-13-1996 by Ord. No. 1556; 5-23-2005 by Ord. No. 1929]
The following fees are hereby established:
A. Certificates of occupancy:
(1) Fees for certificates of occupancy shall be as follows:
(a) One-family: $50. $75.00
(b) Two-family: $100. $150.00
(c) Business: $150. $200.00
(d) Three or more multifamily: $25 per each additional unit.
(2) Continued certificate of occupancy fee: same as certificate of occupancy.
B. Building subcode fees.
(1) New construction and additions: $0.01 $0.04 per cubic foot, provided that the minimum fee shall be $50.
(2) Renovations, alterations, re-siding, repairs, decks, awnings or canopies: $10 $20 per $1,000-$50,000, $18 per $50,001-$100,000, $16 over $100,000 or a fraction thereof of estimated costs of work, provided that the minimum fee shall be $50.
(3) Combinations of renovations and additions: sum of the fees computed separately as renovations and additions.
(4) Construction of swimming pools and tennis courts: $10 per $1,000 or fraction thereof of
estimated cost for said pool or tennis court and appurtenances. The minimum fee shall be $50.
(5) Tank removal or abandonment.
Size of Tank
(gallons) Fee
1 to 550 $65
Over 550 $120
C. Plumbing subcode fees. The minimum plumbing fee shall be $46 $50.
Item Fee
Water closet $15
Urinal bidet/lavatory $15
Bathtub/shower $15
Floor drain $15
Dishwasher $15
Drinking fountain $15
Washing machine $15
Hose bibb $15
Domestic water heater $25 $50
Domestic boiler $35 $65
Fuel oil/gas piping $65
Commercial steam hot-water boiler $65 $85
Commercial water heater $55 $75
Gas lines, each $65
Backflow preventor $65
Grease trap $65
Water-cooled air-conditioning or refrigeration unit $65
Sewer/water connection $65 $75
Active solar system $65
Lawn sprinkler $50
Minimum fee $50
D. Electrical subcode fees.
(1) Lighting fixtures, outlets, wall switches, fractional fans, receptacles: $36 for the first 25 and $1 additional for each additional.
(2) Each motor, generator, transformer (600 volts or less), heating, cooking or other equipment, including air conditioning, dishwasher, spa, etc., consuming or generating electrical current:
(a) One horsepower up to 10 horsepower: $25.
(b) One horsepower up to 50 horsepower: $95.
(c) One horsepower up to 100 horsepower: $175.
(d) One horsepower in excess of 100 horsepower: $457.
(3) (Reserved)
(4) (Reserved)
(5) Swimming pools, for bonding of reinforcing steel, ladder sockets, diving boards, etc.: $35 $50; pumps and pool lights: an additional $35.
(6) Service panels, entrances and subpanels:
(a) Up to 100 amperes: $50. $75
(b) Up to 200 amperes: $100. $125
(c) Up to 300 amperes: $200.
(d) In excess of 300 amperes: $457.
(7) Temporary or construction service: $50 for 100 amperes, $100 for 200 amperes.
(8) The minimum electrical fee shall be: $50.
(9) Protective signaling systems (fire alarms and burglar alarms), for each device (bells, detectors, pull boxes, etc.):
(a) First 20 devices: $40.
(b) Each additional five devices: $5.
(10) Transformers and generators:
(a) Over one kilowatt up to 10 kilowatts: $35.
(b) Over one kilowatt up to 45 kilowatts: $87.
(c) Over one kilowatt up to 112.5 kilowatts: $192.
(d) In excess of 112.5 kilowatts: $457.
(11) Capacitors:
(a) One unit: $30.
(b) Each additional unit: $10.
(c) Note: No charge for motors equipped with capacitors at the time of installation.
(12) Motion-picture equipment.
(a) Booth, including all equipment: $350.
(13) (Reserved)
(14) (Reserved)
(15) (Reserved)
E. Signs, fences and asbestos removal:
(1) Flat sign: $50.
(2) Ground sign: $100.
(3) Fence: $50.
(4) Asbestos: $70, plus an administrative fee of $14. A certificate of approval shall be issued after completion.
F. Demolition. The fee for demolition for a:
(1) One-family dwelling: $100. $150
(2) Two-family dwelling: $200. $250
(3) Commercial building: $300. $400
G. Plan review. The plan review fee shall be 20% of the amount to be charged for the construction permit and shall be paid before the plans are reviewed. The amount paid for this fee shall be credited toward the amount of the fee to be charged for the construction permit but shall not be refundable.
H. Moving buildings. The fee for removal of a building or structure from one lot to another or to a new location on the same lot shall be $8 per $1,000 of the sum of the estimated costs for moving, new foundations and placement in a complete condition in the new location, provided that the minimum fee shall be $50.
I. Fire subcode fees.
(1) Wet and dry sprinkler heads.
Number of Sprinkler Heads Fee
1 to 20 $65
21 to 100 $120
101 to 200 $219
201 to 400 $594
401 and over $1,050
(2) Smoke and heat detectors.
Number of Detectors Fee
1 to 20 $65
21 to 100 $120
101 to 200 $219
201 to 400 $594
401 to 1,000 $1,050
(3) Preengineered systems.
Type of System Fee
CO2 suppression $92
Halon suppression $92
Foam suppression $92
Dry chemical $92
Wet chemical $92
(4) Other.
(a) Fireplace: $65.
(b) Chimney lining: $65.
(c) Standpipes and miscellaneous: $229. $250. each
(d) Kitchen hood exhaust system: $46.
(e) Incinerators: $365.
(f) Crematoriums: $365.
(g) Gas or oil fire appliance: $46. $50.
(h) Minimum fee: $50.
(5) Tanks (storage of oil or gasoline).
Each Tank
(gallons) Fee
Up to 999 $75
1,000 to 2,999 $150
3,000 to 4,999 $200
5,000 or more $300
J. Elevator fees. Fees shall be the same as and in accordance with the schedule of elevator fees of the State of New Jersey, which schedule of fees is hereby incorporated by reference.
K. Reinstatement. The fee for reinstatement of a lapsed permit shall be the fee computed for the permit requested less 80% of the fee previously paid for the permit to be reinstated.
L. Modular homes. The fee for alteration of a modular home shall be $25 per $1,000 of cost of alteration.
M. Zoning
Residential Application Fee $50.
Commercial Application Fee $100.
Business Use Application Fee $75.
Zoning Permit: When a Building Permit is not required, ie., driveways, walkways, retaining walls under 4' high
Residential Zoning Permit Fee $25.
Commercial Zoning Permit Fee $50.
N. Engineers Escrow. $1,000 minimum review and inspection
Section II. In all other respects, the terms and provisions of Chapter 140-2 of the Code of the Borough of Ridgefield shall remain in full force and effect, and are ratified and affirmed.
Section III. Existing ordinances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the foregoing are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.
Section IV This ordinance shall take effect upon final passage and publication according to law.
Approved: Attest:
_______________________________ ____________________________
Anthony R. Suarez, Mayor Martin A. Gobbo,
Borough Clerk