Building Safety in Clifton, NJ (2026)
7 verified building safety rules for Clifton, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Clifton requires most rental units to undergo a lead-based paint hazard inspection at tenant turnover or at least every three years, performed by the City's lead inspector or a private certified inspector chosen within 30 days. Units built in 1978 or later, or already lead-safe certified, are exempt. Inspection fees start at $300 for a one-bedroom unit.
Clifton Rental Lead Paint Inspection Rules
Significant RestrictionsClifton Code § 273-46
This article applies to all rental single-family, two-family, and multiple dwelling units with the exception of those exempt pursuant to Subsection E below. For those dwelling units that are subject to this article, the City will notify the property owner that the dwelling unit must be inspected for lead-based paint hazards... and must notify the City of his or her decision within 30 days... Th...
Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed
Clifton's nonresidential property maintenance rules cap how long a temporary painting scaffold or other temporary construction equipment can stay up: no more than three months after it goes up, and it must come down once the work is finished, unless the public officer grants permission to leave it in place longer.
Clifton Temporary Scaffold Time Limit
Some RestrictionsClifton Code § 273-20B(9)
No temporary painting scaffold or other temporary equipment used for construction, repair or maintenance shall be permitted to remain in place after completion of work or beyond a period of three months after erection or placement thereof without permission of the public officer.
Door Locking Hardware
Clifton's housing code requires every entrance and dwelling-unit door in residential buildings to carry heavy-duty locks, a dead bolt or auxiliary latch, and (outside dormitories) a chain guard and viewing device. Openable windows must take inside-only sash locks. The public officer under Chapter 273 enforces the standard, with hearings and fines for noncompliance.
Clifton Door and Window Lock Rules
Some RestrictionsClifton Code § 273-8I
(1) Building entrance doors and other exterior exit doors shall be equipped with heavy-duty lock sets. Latch sets shall have stopwork in the inside cylinder controlled by a master key only... Main entrance door locks shall be kept in the locked position and shall be freely operable from the inside at all times. (2) Doors to dwelling units shall be equipped with a heavy-duty lock set equipped wi...
Building Permits
Clifton enforces the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code through its own Clifton Enforcing Agency, which issues construction permits covering building, plumbing, electrical and fire-protection subcodes. Fees run from a $60 minimum per subcode up to per-cubic-foot rates for new construction, and appeals go to the Passaic County Construction Board of Appeals.
Clifton Construction Permits and Fees
Some RestrictionsClifton Code § 197-1, § 197-2, § 197-3
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 Construct...
Electrical Permits
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.
Clifton Electrical Permit and Code Rules
Some RestrictionsClifton Code §§ 197-1, 197-2, 273-21A
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 Construct...
Plumbing Permits
Clifton enforces plumbing work through its State Uniform Construction Code enforcing agency. A plumbing subcode official reviews and inspects the work, and every fixture, special device and utility connection carries a separate itemized fee under the Clifton Enforcing Agency's adopted schedule before a construction permit issues.
Clifton Plumbing Permit and Subcode Fees
Some RestrictionsClifton Code § 197-1, § 197-3
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... The plumbing subcode fees shall be as follows: Total number of fixtures, each: $20... Tota...
Building Inspections
Clifton requires a dwelling inspection every time a rental unit changes occupancy or a property changes title, triggered by the dwelling certificate filed under City Code Chapter 210. The inspection confirms compliance with smoke detector and housing standards rules before a new tenant moves in or a sale closes.
Clifton Dwelling Inspection on Occupancy Change
Some RestrictionsClifton Code § 210-3
Upon filing of a dwelling certificate, except in the case of a dwelling certificate filed pursuant to § 210-2A hereof, an inspection of the dwelling unit shall be required upon any change of occupancy, whether by change of ownership or as a result of a new lease, rental or other occupancy, unless the property owner had previously filed a dwelling certificate for the dwelling unit and a dwelling...
Looking for Passaic County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Clifton city rules.
Building Safety in Passaic County →