N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-2.18

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 8, April 15, 2024

Section 5:23-2.18 - Inspections

(a) Preliminary inspection: Before issuing a permit, the construction official and appropriate subcode official shall, where necessary, examine or cause to be examined all buildings, structures and sites for which an application has been filed for a construction permit.

(b) Inspections during the progress of work: The construction official and appropriate subcode officials shall carry out periodic inspections during the progress of work to ensure that work inspected conforms to the requirements of the code.

1. Inspections of one- and two-family dwellings for which construction must cease until the inspection is made shall be limited to the following:

i. The bottom of footing trenches before placement of footings;

(1) In the case of pile foundations, a pile log and certification prepared by a licensed design professional shall take the place of the inspection required by (b)1i above. Such certification shall include, but not be limited to, verification that the size, type, and location of the piles conforms to the released plans and that the piles are properly set to support the design loads. Such certification shall be based upon personal observations made by the design professional at the site;

ii. Foundations and all walls up to grade level prior to covering or back filling;

(1) For new construction, a foundation location survey showing all building corners of the foundation and the elevation of the top of the foundation wall shall be submitted to the construction official as soon as possible after the installation of the foundation wall. It is not necessary for work to cease for the preparation and submission of this survey. A land surveyor licensed in the State of New Jersey shall prepare the survey. The proposed foundation location and elevation as shown on the original plot plan shall also be shown on the foundation location survey.

(A) Exception: A foundation location survey shall not be required for additions, decks, swimming pools, sheds or similar structures.

(2) For new construction, additions, and work that is determined to be a substantial improvement pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:23-6.3A, the foundation location survey, including the lowest floor elevation and as-built elevation documentation, for a building that is located in a flood hazard area shall be submitted to the construction official and to the local floodplain administrator and shall include elevation certificates as required by section 1612.4 of the building subcode or section R322.1.10 of the one- and two-family dwelling subcode; the documentation and certificates shall be submitted prior to further vertical construction;

iii. Utility services, including septic;

iv. Mid-point inspections shall include the following:

(1) Building Subcode: All structural framing, connections, wall and roof sheathing, and insulation.

(A) The framing inspection shall take place after the rough electrical and plumbing inspections and after the installation of the heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning duct system.

(B) For buildings containing roof or other truss systems, a truss system and permanent truss bracing inspection shall be performed prior to the installation of any interior roof truss covering material. Where the truss design utilizes the interior finish as bracing for the bottom cord, that portion of the bracing shall be part of the final inspection and shall be in addition to the components of the final inspection in (d) below.

(C) The insulation inspection shall be performed after all other subcode rough inspections and prior to the installation of any interior finish material.

(D) Prior to inspection, the responsible person in charge of work shall provide to the building inspector a signed framing checklist (Form F390) to be verified and initialed by the inspector and then made part of the permit file for buildings of Type V construction.

(2) Electrical Subcode: Rough wiring, panel and service installation.

(3) Plumbing Subcode: Rough piping.

2. Inspections for all subcodes of construction, other than one- and two-family dwellings, shall be limited to those required for one- and two-family dwellings and the following: fire suppression and detection/alarm systems; heat producing devices; and any special inspections required by any subcode of the regulations;

i. The mid-point inspection shall include a review for compliance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-7, the Barrier Free Subcode, for buildings required by N.J.A.C. 5:23-7.1 to be accessible.

ii. The requirement for a framing checklist, established at (b)1iv(D) above, shall apply to buildings of Type V construction of Groups R-2, R-3 and R-4 only.

3. Any additional inspections, as permitted by this chapter and as may be required by the municipality, shall be of the type and nature that construction may continue without interruption;

4. Additional inspection schedule: Where buildings proposed for construction exceed two stories in height or by their nature pose complex or unusual inspection problems, the construction official or appropriate subcode official may specify additional inspections to the applicant in writing prior to the issuance of a permit and during construction in the case of unforeseeable circumstances.

(c) Notice for inspection:

1. The owner or other responsible person in charge of work shall notify the enforcing agency, in writing, when the work is ready for any required inspection specified herein or required by the construction official or appropriate subcode official. This notice shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the time the inspection is desired. This notice shall represent an attestation on the part of the owner, other than single-family owner-occupants performing their own work, or other responsible person in charge of work, that the work has been completed in conformance with the code and is ready for inspection. The request shall be considered received on the next business day after it was sent if the request was sent outside of normal business hours.

2. Inspections shall be performed within three business days, or other such time within 30 days, as agreed upon by the enforcing agency and the owner, agent, or other responsible person in charge of work, of the time for which it was requested. The enforcing agency shall notify the owner, agent, or other responsible person in charge of work when the inspection will be performed within 24 hours of official receipt of the notice. The agreed upon time shall be confirmed, in writing, and sent within normal business hours. The work shall not proceed in a manner which will preclude the inspection until it has been made.

(d) Final inspection: Upon completion of the building or structure, and before the issuance of a certificate of use and occupancy required herein, a final inspection shall be made, and any violations of the code shall be noted and the holder of the permit shall be notified of any discrepancies by the construction official. The final inspection shall include:

1. Building and Fire Subcode: Installation of all interior and exterior finish materials, sealing of exterior joints, mechanical system and any other required equipment.

2. Electrical Subcode: Wiring, devices and fixtures.

3. Plumbing Subcode: Piping, trim and fixtures.

4. Tests required by any provision of the adopted subcodes.

5. A review for compliance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-7, the Barrier Free Subcode, for all buildings required by N.J.A.C. 5:23-7.1 to be accessible.

6. Verification of compliance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.5, Posting structures.

(e) Inspections records: The enforcing agency shall make a written record of all inspections, including any discrepancies or violations noted and shall maintain those reports as a public record which shall be available for public inspection during normal business hours.

(f) Department inspections: At the request of an enforcing agency, the Department may assist the enforcing agency in the inspection of any construction, provided that the enforcing agency has submitted the plans and specifications for such construction to the Department.

(g) The construction official shall serve as an agent of the Bureau of Housing Inspection of the Department of Community Affairs for the purpose of inspecting newly constructed and altered hotels and multiple dwellings in order to enforce the provisions of the regulations for the maintenance of hotels and multiple dwellings (N.J.A.C. 5:10). Responsibility for inspection may be delegated to the appropriate sub-code official(s).

(h) Periodic inspections: The building subcode official or fire protection subcode official may periodically inspect all existing buildings and structures, except one and two family dwellings, for compliance with the rules with respect to posting. Such inspection shall specify any violation of the rules with respect to the posting of floor load, occupancy load and use group of the building.

(i) If the owner or occupant improperly denies entry to the construction official, the construction official, or his or her authorized representative, shall obtain an administrative warrant or other legal remedy to secure entry issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-2.18

Amended by 46 N.J.R. 1685(a), effective 7/21/2014.

Amended by 46 N.J.R. 2186(a), effective 10/1/2014.

Amended by 47 N.J.R. 989(b), effective 5/18/2015.

Amended by 52 N.J.R. 2100(a), effective 12/7/2020

Amended by 53 N.J.R. 245(a), effective 2/16/2021

Amended by 54 N.J.R. 2371(c), effective 12/19/2022

Amended by 56 N.J.R. 469(a) effective 4/1/2024