Jersey City, NJ Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Chapter 131 (Construction Codes, Uniform) governs Jersey City's local administration of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code. Section 131-2, added by Ordinance No. 25-026 on April 23, 2025, replaced the old Construction Board of Appeals provisions with a five-part 'prior approvals' framework. Section 1 lists what the Construction Official must confirm before any construction permit issues: a demolition permit already on file if the site carries an existing structure; proof the lot has been subdivided or consolidated as needed; state-mandated approvals, a Waterfront Development Permit for any project within 500 feet of the Hudson River, a DEP Flood Hazard Permit inside the Special Flood Hazard Zone, DEP Soil Erosion and Sediment Control for 5,000 square feet or more of land disturbance, Passaic Valley Sewage approval for new construction, additions and changes of use, NJ Sports and Exposition Authority sign-off where applicable, and NJ DCA Bulletin 98-3 clearance for health facilities; and nine local approvals spanning Zoning, the Municipal Utilities Authority, the Tax Collector's payroll-tax check, Health Department rodent control, Traffic and Engineering's safety plan, Fire Safety's combustible permit, the plan-review fee, Forestry Division permits and the Tax Assessor's development-fee confirmation.

C. 6 letting applications filed before a subcode revision be reviewed under the prior code. Section 3 lets plan review proceed once the review fee is paid even with approvals outstanding, but bars permit issuance until every approval is in hand. Fees run through Chapter 160, and § 131-10 exempts nonprofit hospitals, nursing homes, City/State contractors, the Housing Authority's elevator inspections, certified affordable-housing developments, and disability-access work.