Autumn scene of a lake

Construction Department

Effective immediately, anyone submitting a construction permit application for work in a campground should include a map of the campground with the location of the unit clearly marked (i.e. highlighted, circled, etc..).

Contact Information

Construction Requirements & Forms

**NEC 2020 IS IN EFFECT AS OF MARCH 6, 2023. ALL OTHER PERMIT APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED USING 2021 CODES**
In-person permit pick up accepted Monday thru Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Requirements for Application – New Buildings

  • Completed sub-code forms and permit jacket
  • Copy of survey with building/addition shown and setbacks from front, rear and side yards
  • 2 sets of legible plans including elevations, floor plans, cross sections, electrical plan, plumbing schematic (water, sewer and gas risers), shop drawing for HVAC and compliance with Model Energy Code (ResCheck).  See below for more information.
  • Well and septic permit for new construction
  • Specifications on all premanufactured products including fireplaces, truss systems, heating and air conditioning
  • Approval from Cape Atlantic Soil Conservation

Construction Required Inspections

Construction work must be inspected in accordance with the State Uniform Construction Code regulations NJAC 5:23-2.18.

The owner or other responsible person in charge of work must notify this agency when work is ready for any required inspections specified below. Requests for inspections must be made at least 24 hours prior to the time the inspection is desired; however, requests for a Monday inspection should be made by 3:30 p.m. the preceding Thursday. Inspections will be performed within three business days of the time for which they are requested. The work must not proceed in a manner which will preclude the inspection until it has been made and approved.

Please provide the permit number when scheduling an inspection.

Inspections required are as follows:

  • Footing Trenches
  • Foundations and all walls up to grade before back-fill
  • Rough electric, rough plumbing and rough framing
  • Insulation
  • Final building, final electric, final plumbing and final fire

Please contact this office if you have any questions.

Contractor’s License

Pursuant to the Contractors’ Registration Act (P.L. 2004, c.16), Dennis Township will no longer require a local contractors’ license.

All Home Improvement Contractors must register with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs in order to obtain a permit from this office.

Applications are available in this office or online at https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/Pages/licensingboards.aspx

You may also contact the Division of Consumer Affairs at 1 (888) 656-6225.

Form Downloads

Required Inspections

Construction work must be inspected in accordance with the State Uniform Construction Code Regulations NJAC 5:23-2.18.

The agency will carry out such periodic inspections during the progress of construction necessary to insure that work installed conforms to the approved plans and requirements of the Uniform Construction Code.

The owner or other responsible person in charge of work must notify this agency when work is ready for a required inspection specified in this section. Requests for inspection must be made at least 24 hours before the inspection is desired; however, requests for a Monday inspection should be made by 3:30 p.m. the preceding Thursday. Inspections will be made within 3 business days of the time they are requested for. The work may not proceed in a manner that would preclude the inspection from being made before approval has been given.

A COMPLETE SET OF APPROVED PLANS MUST BE ON SITE AND AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTOR FOR INSPECTIONS TO BE DONE.

Certificate of Occupancy, Approval

Your project will require a Certificate of Occupancy or Approval before it may be used.

All of the inspections and other requirements checked below must be completed before any type of certificate may be issued, even a temporary.

Any use before a certificate is issued is a violation of the uniform construction code and subject to fines up to $2000 per week.

Requirements

  • Final inspection and sign off for building, electric, plumbing, fire.
  • Cape May County Health Department (465-1209)
  • Cape Atlantic Soil (625-3144 )
  • New home warranty,
  • As-Built Survey for New Buildings
  • Application for Certificate
  • House numbers (min. 3” high)

Building

  1. Footing, before concrete is poured
  2. Foundation, after damp proofing has been applied and termite shield & sill plate installed
  3. Framing after plumbing and HVAC are installed
  4. Insulation
  5. Final
  6. Any special inspections

Electric

  1. Temporary pole
  2. Rough
  3. Service
  4. Final

Plumbing

  1. Rough
  2. Gas line
  3. Final

Fire

  1. Mechanical
  2. Final
  3. Special

Other Pertinent Information

Energy Sub-Code Compliance

To comply with the Energy Sub Code, visit energycodes.gov.

There is a section for both Residential and Commercial projects.  Note that you may need to signup prior to proceeding.

REScheck-Web is advised as it simplifies residential energy code compliance. REScheck-Web has been updated with several modern functions, including a project dashboard, the ability to share projects with colleagues, and more.

Read the REScheck-Web instructions (opens in new window).

Flood Zones

To see if your property may be located in a flood zone, visit the FEMA interactive map and search your address – https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search

CAFRA and Fresh Water Wetlands

Start here – https://www.state.nj.us/dep/

NJ Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Certification For Home Resale

Bureau of Fire Safety and Prevention ⇒