Paterson, NJ Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- CO fee, 1-2 unit residential
- $151
- CO fee, over 2 units
- $30/unit, min $151
- Temporary CO fee
- $35
- Weekend/holiday inspection fee
- $175
Summary
Before any Paterson construction permit issues, the applicant must certify current municipal taxes to the Construction Official, and a certificate of occupancy, confirming the required inspections passed, costs $151 for a small residential building under City Code §183-12.
The fees for certificates of occupancy required for compliance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.23 shall be as follows:
A. The fee for a certificate of occupancy for a new building and continuing certificate of occupancy on an existing building shall be $151 if the building is solely for residential purposes with no more than two residential units.
B. The fee for a certificate of occupancy for a new building and continuing certificate of occupancy on an existing building shall be $30 per unit if the building is solely for residential purposes over two units with a minimum fee of $151.
C. The fee for a certificate of occupancy for a new building and continuing certificate of occupancy on an existing building shall be $0.03 per square foot with a minimum charge of $151 if the building is solely for commercial purposes.
D. The fee for a certificate of occupancy for a change of use shall be $0.03 per square foot or a minimum fee of $151.
E. The fee for a temporary certificate of occupancy shall be $35.
F. (Reserved)[1] [1] Editor's Note: Original Sec. 8-13, Elevator fees, which immediately followed this section, as amended 10-22-1985 by Ord. No. 85-093 and 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. 92-025, was deleted 12-19-1995 by Ord. No. 95-068.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4713536; v19 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Paterson's Construction Code Enforcing Agency administers permits and inspections under the state Uniform Construction Code (§183-1). Before a construction permit is issued, the applicant must file a Tax Collector certification that municipal taxes and assessments on the property are current, and must later document that construction debris went to a licensed disposal facility before a certificate of occupancy issues (§183-4). Certificates of occupancy, the final sign-off following required inspections, per N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.23, cost $151 for a new or continuing residential building of two units or fewer, $30 per unit above two units (minimum $151), and $0.03 per square foot (minimum $151) for commercial buildings or a change of use; a temporary certificate is $35 (§183-12). Inspections requested for a Saturday, Sunday or holiday carry an added $175 fee (§183-15).
Violations & Fines
Occupying or using a building without the required certificate of occupancy is a code violation, and outstanding municipal taxes or an undocumented debris certification can hold up permit or CO issuance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Paterson certificate of occupancy cost for a two-family house?
Can I schedule a Paterson building inspection on a Saturday?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paterson
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