Bergenfield, NJ Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Bergenfield Construction Code Department
- Minimum permit fee, R-3/R-5
- $60
- Minimum permit fee, other use groups
- $100
- Fence permit trigger
- over 6 feet, $60
- Pool permit fee
- $50 above grade / $200 below grade
- General penalty
- up to $500 fine or 90 days
- Accessibility work
- fee waived under § 136-6
Summary
Bergenfield requires a construction permit from its State Uniform Construction Code Enforcing Agency, the Bergenfield Construction Code Department, before building, plumbing, electrical, elevator or fire protection work begins. The Borough's fee schedule in Code § 136-4 lists the triggers: new construction, additions, renovations, swimming pools, fences over six feet and flammable-liquid tanks all require a permit before work starts.
There is hereby established in the Borough of Bergenfield a State Uniform Construction Code Enforcing Agency to be known as the "Bergenfield Construction Code Department," consisting of a Construction Official, Building Subcode Official, Plumbing Subcode Official, Electrical Subcode Official, Fire Protection Subcode Official and such other subcode officials for such additional subcodes as the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, State of New Jersey, shall hereafter adopt as part of the State Uniform Construction Code. ... Minimum fee. The minimum fee for a basic construction permit covering any or all of building, plumbing, electrical, elevator or fire protection work shall be $60 for Use Groups R-3 and R-5. The minimum fee for all other use groups shall be $100 for all other subcodes. ... For construction of a swimming pool: (a) Above grade: $50. (b) Below grade: $200. ... For the construction and erection of a fence greater than six feet: $60.
Full Breakdown
The Borough Code establishes the enforcing agency at § 136-1: a Construction Official, Building Subcode Official, Plumbing Subcode Official, Electrical Subcode Official and Fire Protection Subcode Official, plus any additional subcode officials the state Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs adds to the Uniform Construction Code. Under § 17-33, the Building Inspector heads the Division of Building Inspection inside the Department of Community Affairs, doubles as the Borough's Zoning Officer, and is the official who issues building permits and certificates of occupancy, reporting monthly to the Municipal Administrator.
Section 136-4 sets the fee-driven permit triggers: a basic construction permit covering building, plumbing, electrical, elevator or fire protection work carries a $60 minimum fee for Use Groups R-3 and R-5 (one- and two-family homes) and $100 for all other use groups. 00 per cubic foot of the added volume. Specific triggers named in the fee table include above-grade pools ($50), below-grade pools ($200), fences over six feet ($60), and flammable-liquid storage tank installation, alteration or abandonment. Section 136-6 waives the construction permit surcharge and enforcing-agency fee entirely for work done solely to promote accessibility for a disabled person at their primary residence, with § 136-7 prorating the waiver when accessibility work is bundled into a larger project. No building permit may issue before site plan approval where site plan review applies under Chapter 186.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 136 sets no separate penalty of its own, so unpermitted construction falls under the Borough's general penalty at § 1-4: a fine of up to $500, imprisonment up to 90 days, or both, for any Code violation lacking a specific penalty. Each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense, and the stated maximum is not a floor: a lesser or nominal penalty may apply to a given case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues building permits in Bergenfield?
Does a backyard fence need a permit in Bergenfield?
What does a swimming pool permit cost in Bergenfield?
What happens if I build without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bergenfield
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