Brick's Building Safety: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles building safety a little differently. In Brick, New Jersey, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Electrical Permits

Brick Township charges an electrical subcode permit fee under the state Uniform Construction Code, with a $150 minimum plus $100 for the first block of up to 50 fixtures or receptacles and $40 per additional block of 25.

Key details: Minimum electrical permit fee: $150. First block fee (1-50 fixtures): $100. Each additional block of 25: $40. Governing chapter: Ch. 145, Uniform Construction Code. Enforcing official: Electrical Subcode Official.

The Construction Official or subcode official assesses penalties under N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.31 and may pursue collection in Brick Township Municipal Court or Superior Court under the Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999.

Building Permits

Brick Township charges a tiered construction-permit fee for renovations, alterations and repairs to existing buildings, based on the estimated cost of construction and collected by the Construction Official before work begins.

Key details: Governing chapter: Ch. 145, Uniform Construction Code. Fee, first $50,000: $50 per $1,000, prorated. Fee, $50,001-$100,000: $40 per $1,000 over $50k. Fee above $100,000: $35 per $1,000 over $100k. Enforced by: Township Construction Official.

Renovating without the required permit exposes owners to penalties the Construction Official assesses under N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.31, pursued in Brick Township Municipal Court under the state Penalty Enforcement Law (§ 145-3.2).

Plumbing Permits

Brick Township requires a plumbing subcode permit for fixtures, piping, water heaters, gas piping, and utility connections, with a $150 minimum fee plus per-item charges under the Uniform Construction Code.

Key details: Minimum plumbing fee: $150. Fixture fee, R-3/R-4/R-5: $18 per item. Fixture fee, other uses: $21 per item. Enforcing official: Plumbing Subcode Official. Water/sewer connection fee: $150 (residential) to $200.

Violations are penalized under N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.31; the Construction Official can pursue penalties in Brick Township Municipal Court or Superior Court under the Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999, N.J.S.A. 2A:58-10 et seq.

Building Inspections

Brick Township requires a Construction Code Official inspection and a rental certificate of occupancy before any residential rental unit is first occupied or reoccupied, with reinspection required until violations are corrected.

Key details: Initial inspection fee: $100 per unit. Reinspection fee: $50 per unit. Certificate posting: within 5 ft of entrance. Vacant-unit certificate validity: 60 calendar days. Enforcing official: Construction Code Official.

Occupying a rental unit without a valid certificate, or removing a posted certificate, is a Code violation; the Construction Code Official can order the unit vacated, and tenants who exceed the posted occupancy limit are issued a summons for overcrowding.

Lead Paint

Brick Township requires lead-based paint inspections of single-family, two-family, and multiple rental dwellings, with re-inspection every three years or at tenant turnover.

Key details: Governing law: Brick Township Code Ch. 225, Art. V. Initial deadline: By July 22, 2024, or tenant turnover. Re-inspection cycle: Every 3 years or tenant turnover. Cure period: 30 days before penalties accrue. Late penalty: $1,000 per week.

Owners who don't cure within 30 days face a $1,000-per-week penalty until the inspection is done or remediation is initiated; unpaid penalties can be filed as property liens under § 225-11.

The Bottom Line

Brick's building safety rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Brick is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Brick's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.