Clifton, NJ Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Clifton Enforcing Agency, § 197-1
- Adopted standard
- National Electrical Code, § 273-21A
- Minimum electrical fee
- $60 per job
- Top-tier fee
- $600 for largest services/motors
- Appeals body
- Passaic County Construction Board of Appeals
Summary
Clifton runs its electrical permitting through the Clifton Enforcing Agency's electrical subcode official under the State Uniform Construction Code, and every building's electric service must meet National Electrical Code standards. Fees run from a $60 minimum up to $600 for large services, and appeals go to the Passaic County Construction Board of Appeals.
There is hereby established in the City of Clifton a State Uniform Construction Code enforcing agency to be known as the "Clifton Enforcing Agency," consisting of a construction official, building subcode official, plumbing subcode official, electrical subcode official, fire protection subcode official... Appeals from decisions by the enforcing agency can be made to the Passaic County Construction Board of Appeals. ... Every building shall be provided with electric service, where required, in accordance with the standards of the National Electrical Code, as amended from time to time.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4963532; v64 updated 2026-07-21; through 07-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
L. 1975, c. C. 5:23, and the public has a right to do business at one office location. Separately, Section 273-21A requires that "every building shall be provided with electric service, where required, in accordance with the standards of the National Electrical Code, as amended from time to time," and Section 273-21C requires maximum fuse sizes under that Code to be posted on the inside of every fuse box. Section 197-3's electrical subcode fee schedule, paid in advance of inspection, runs from $60 for the first 50 receptacles or fixtures (plus $20 per additional 25), $20 per motor or device up to 10 horsepower, up to $600 for services and panels above 1,000 amperes or motors above 100 horsepower, with a $60 minimum fee on any job.
Appeals from the enforcing agency's decisions go to the Passaic County Construction Board of Appeals under Section 197-2, not to Clifton's own zoning or housing hearing officers.
Violations & Fines
Work performed without the required electrical subcode permit or inspection, or that fails to meet National Electrical Code standards under Section 273-21, is enforced through the Uniform Construction Code process; unpermitted work can be ordered stopped and correction required before a certificate of occupancy issues, and Chapter 273 electrical defects can trigger a Section 273-30 fine of $100 to $1,250 with each day of noncompliance a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clifton
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Electrical Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Passaic County handle electrical permits.