Building Safety in Elizabeth, NJ (2026)
9 verified building safety rules for Elizabeth, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Elizabeth requires owners of single-family, two-family and covered multiple-dwelling rentals to get a lead-based paint inspection from the municipal lead inspector, or a private DCA-certified inspector, before tenant turnover and at least every three years, under City Code Chapter 7.21, adopted by Ordinance No. 5966 on March 26, 2024.
Elizabeth Rental Lead-Based Paint Inspection Law
Significant RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 7.21.020(A)-(B)
A.Dwelling Owner is Responsible for Obtaining Lead Inspection. The owner, landlord, and/or agent of every residential rental single-family, two-family and/or multiple dwelling rental unit shall be required to obtain an inspection of the unit for lead-based paint hazards as required in this chapter, or at tenant turnover, whichever is earlier. To obtain the required lead inspection, the landlord...
Elevator Maintenance
Elizabeth does not run a standalone elevator maintenance program, but it enforces elevator upkeep at the point of sale: before a certificate of occupancy for resale issues, City Code § 17.08.070(B)(9) requires a current "Annual Elevator certification," alongside sprinkler, fire alarm, kitchen hood, and exterminator records.
Elizabeth Elevator Certification for Resale
Light RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 17.08.070(B)(9)
17.08.070 - Certificate of occupancy for resale. ...9.All testing reports and certificates showing compliance for necessary building systems, as applicable to the structure, including but not limited to:a.Annual sprinkler report.b.Annual fire alarm and monitoring report.c.Most recent commercial kitchen hood inspection.d.Annual Elevator certification.e.Exterminator treatment records.
Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed
Elizabeth charges a flat $100.00 fee for a scaffold placed in the public right-of-way, and the work needs prior sign-off from the Department of Engineering before the Department of Construction's fee schedule permit is issued. The requirement sits in the same Miscellaneous Permit Fees table that covers dumpsters and day care certificate renewals under the city's Uniform Construction Code chapter.
Elizabeth Scaffold in Right-of-Way Permit Fee
Some RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 15.04.040(M)
M.Miscellaneous Permit Fees. Fees ($) ... Scaffold in Public Right-of-Way (Subject to prior approval from Dept. of Engineering) 100.00
Childcare Center Rules
Elizabeth requires day care centers to renew their certificate of occupancy for a flat $450 fee, listed separately from every other CO category in the city's Uniform Construction Code fee schedule. The Department of Construction's construction official administers the renewal alongside the building, electrical, plumbing and fire subcodes that every day care facility must satisfy to keep operating legally.
Elizabeth Day Care Certificate of Occupancy Renewal Fee
Some RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 15.04.040(A)(7), (M)
7.The fee to be charged for a certificate of occupancy shall be paid before a certificate is issued. The fee shall be in addition to the construction permit fee. ... M.Miscellaneous Permit Fees. Fees ($) ... Renewal of Certificate of Occupancy For Day Care 450.00
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Elizabeth requires every short-term rental to pass a carbon monoxide inspection by the fire prevention bureau before an owner can obtain the rental certificate of occupancy needed to legally rent the unit. The $75 inspection fee is bundled into the $200 annual STR license fee.
Elizabeth Short-Term Rental CO Inspection
Some RestrictionsElizabeth, NJ City Code § 5.90.030(D)
D. Responsible parties shall obtain a rental certificate of occupancy from the bureau of planning and zoning prior to using a dwelling unit as a short-term rental. The applicant shall also obtain a certificate from the fire prevention bureau certifying that the dwelling unit has passed a carbon monoxide inspection. If the applicant fails to pass either the inspection required to obtain a rental...
Building Permits
Elizabeth requires a building permit from the building inspector before anyone erects, alters, or converts any structure, or changes the use of land. A residential construction permit lapses if work is not started within six months, and a commercial or mixed-use permit within twelve months, under City Code Chapter 17.08.
Elizabeth Building Permit Requirements for Construction
Some RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 17.08.010
17.08.010 - Building permits required. To ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter, no person shall erect, alter or convert any structure or building or part thereof, or alter the use of any land, subsequent to the adoption of this title, until a building permit has been issued by the building inspector.
Electrical Permits
Elizabeth adopts the National Electrical Code of 1975, as later amended by the state, as its electrical subcode, and every electrical installation needs a permit reviewed by the city's subcode electrical official. Fees range from $10.00 per twenty outlets or switches up to $575.00 for service panels above 1,000 amps, with a $65.00 minimum on every electrical permit.
Elizabeth Adopts National Electrical Code for Permits
Some RestrictionsElizabeth City Code §§ 15.04.010(C), 15.04.050(B)
C.Electrical Subcode. There shall be a subcode electrical official and such additional electrical inspectors as may from time to time be appointed to make necessary electrical inspections within the city. These inspectors and the subcode electrical official shall have authority to make all electrical inspections and provide such written reports and recommendations as the construction official s...
Plumbing Permits
Elizabeth adopts the National Standard Plumbing Code as its plumbing subcode by reference, and every plumbing installation needs a permit reviewed by the city's subcode plumbing official before the construction official signs off. Fees run from $15.00 for common fixtures like sinks and water heaters up to $75.00 for water and sewer connections, with a $65.00 minimum per permit.
Elizabeth Adopts National Standard Plumbing Code
Some RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 15.04.050(D)
D.Plumbing.1.The following provisions of Chapter 36 of the prior code of the city are specifically retained: Sections 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, 36-4, 36-5, 36-6, 36-14, 36-54 [Section 15.04.090 of this chapter] and 36-55 [Section 12.08.040 of Chapter 12]; all other provisions of Chapter 36 are repealed.2.There is adopted by reference by the city, the plumbing subcode of the state of New Jersey, which i...
Building Inspections
Elizabeth enforces the State Uniform Construction Code through a designated agency, the Department of Construction, Division of Building Inspections, with separate subcode officials for building, electrical, plumbing and fire protection who each issue inspection reports to the construction official.
Elizabeth Building Inspection Enforcing Agency
Some RestrictionsElizabeth, NJ City Code § 15.04.010(A)
There is established in the city a state uniform construction code enforcing agency to be known as the "department of construction, division of building inspections," consisting of a construction official, fire protection subcode official, building subcode official, electrical subcode official, plumbing subcode official and such other subcode officials for such additional subcodes as the Commis...
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