Howell, NJ Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Inspection of commercial and industrial buildings in Howell Township is set by Chapter 104, the Commercial and Industrial Maintenance Code. Section 104-3 lists authorizing procedures for the inspection of commercial and industrial premises as one of the chapter's purposes. Section 104-10 is the operative rule: all buildings and premises subject to the chapter are subject to inspection from time to time by the Code Enforcement Officer, Health Officer, Police Department or any other official charged with enforcing regulations on any aspect or conduct of the activity on the premises. Every portion of the premises must be available and accessible, and the owner, operator and occupant must provide the arrangements needed to facilitate it. The inspection happens during the regular business hours of the occupying business, unless there is reason to believe a violation exists that is an immediate threat to health or safety requiring inspection and abatement without delay.

Occupancy has its own gate. Under § 104-9(A), no one may occupy a commercial structure or unit as owner or occupant, or rent it to another, for the purpose of conducting business without a prior inspection and issuance of a certificate of occupancy or continued certificate of occupancy. Section 104-8 requires the original certificate of occupancy to have been issued by the Building Department, its terms (use group, occupant load, live load) to be met, and all prior approvals to accompany the application. The fee is set in Chapter 139 and is due for each occupancy rented, leased or resale inspected by the Construction Official.

After an inspection finds a violation, § 104-12 governs the steps. Written notice goes to the responsible person, personally or by certified or regular mail, and may be posted on the main entrance door for an occupant. The notice states the violation, the fix, a reasonable period not to exceed 30 days, and the right to a hearing. It becomes an order 10 days after service unless a hearing is requested, and the official must hold the hearing within 30 days of the request. Building construction work itself is policed by the Construction Office under Chapter 108, whose appeals go to the Monmouth County Construction Board of Appeals under § 108-2.