Perth Amboy, NJ Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Section 430-103 of the Perth Amboy City Code is the basic permit rule. No building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to or structurally altered in the City of Perth Amboy without a building permit issued by the administrative official designated by the governing body. The same section ties issuance to zoning: no building permit is issued except in conformity with the provisions of Chapter 430 and after written order from the Board of Adjustment.

Several neighboring sections in Chapter 430 add steps before a permit can issue. Under § 430-101(C), the Zoning Officer administers and enforces the zoning provisions, and no building permit is issued unless the plans are accompanied by an approved zoning permit. No zoning permit is issued unless the proposed structure, use, temporary activity and construction activities comply with the chapter. Where an existing structure gets a new use, no certificate of occupancy for the new tenant is issued until a zoning permit exists. Section 430-104 requires a certificate of zoning compliance from the administrative official before a permit for erection, alteration, extension, enlargement, moving or repair of any building is issued, and an application denied a building permit cannot lead to use or occupancy of the building or premises until that certificate is issued.

Other timing rules matter to applicants. Structures whose permits were obtained, with construction begun, before the chapter was passed can be completed under the original plans (§ 430-105). A variance expires if no construction, alteration or conversion has started within one year of the grant (§ 430-106). Municipal uses and utilities are exempt from the chapter (§ 430-107). Construction itself is administered under Chapter 184, which establishes the Office of Construction and Fire Prevention, headed by the Construction Official, to enforce the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code.