Bloomfield, NJ Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

In Bloomfield Township, Essex County, Chapter 149 Article II of the Township Code sets up the building permit system. Section 149-6 creates the State Uniform Construction Code enforcing agency as the Community Development Department, with the Construction Official as chief administrator and separate Building, Plumbing, Electrical and Fire Protection Subcode Officials. The public has the right to do business with that agency at one office location.

Section 149-8 is the fee schedule, last amended 5-19-2025 by Ord. No. 25-12. Plan review is 20% of the construction permit fee and is not refundable. The basic construction fee is the sum of all subcode fees, the minimum fee for any one subcode is $90, elevator subcode fees carry an added 25% administrative fee, and a change of contractor costs $90 per subcode. Plan review after that point is charged at $90 per hour per subcode.

New construction and additions are priced by volume, computed under N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.28, at $0.040 per cubic foot for most use groups. Renovations, alterations and repairs are $39 per thousand up to $50,000 of estimated cost, $31 per thousand from $50,001 to $100,000 and $25 per thousand for 100,001 and above. Demolition is $175 for R-3 and R-5 use groups and $350 for all other structures. Building subcode swimming pool fees are $150 above-ground and $250 in-ground. A certificate of occupancy is $150 for R-3 and R-5 and $300 for all others, and a change of use group is $100.

A surcharge under N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.19(b) is collected for state training programs. Religious, charitable, benevolent, fraternal and nonprofit organizations are exempt at the discretion of the Township Council, and certain projects benefiting persons with disabilities are waived. Section 149-11 separately makes it unlawful to install an attic fan without first getting a permit from the Building Inspector. Chapter 149 Article II does not print a project-by-project list of work that needs a permit, so ask the Construction Official before starting.