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Main Content

Building Department

John Wittekind, Construction Code Official/Building Inspector

The Construction Office is open each day from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. You can contact Mr. Wittekind at (201) 818-4400 x209.

Mr. Wittekind is also responsible for the following areas:

• Zoning


• Housing


• Property Management


• Trees


• Flood Plain & wetland enforcement

The complete Code Book for the Borough of Allendale, which contains all of the Borough's ordinances, is available free charge on the Internet. Just click on the link.

You will want to look at Chapter 270. This sections includes all of the zoning requirements.
General Code

Property Maintenance

Property maintenance complaints must be brought to the attention of the Construction Code Official. If you have a complaint about someone’s property maintenance, please come into the Municipal Building to fill out a form. The forms can be picked up at either the Construction Office or the Borough Clerk’s office.

We will NOT be accepting anonymous complaints. If you have any questions about property maintenance, please contact the Construction Office at (201) 818-4400 x209.

When You Need A Building Permit . . .

You must obtain a building permit from the Borough's Construction Code Enforcement Office before making the following modifications to your home, building or property:

• Replacing a roof


• Installing new siding


• Adding or renovating a bedroom or bathroom, kitchen, deck, etc.


• Interior alterations


• Enclosing a porch


• Installing a dishwasher


• Replacing an electric stove with a gas stove


• Finishing a basement


• Central air conditioning


• New wiring


• New furnace, boiler, or hot water heater


• Installing ductwork


• Fence


• Installing a fireplace


• Concrete Patios


• Shed


• In-ground and above ground pools


• Underground sprinkler system

. . . And When You Don't

You don't need a permit for ordinary repairs on a one or two-family dwelling. These changes include:

• Repairing roofing or siding material with like material, if the area doesn't exceed 25 percent of the roof within a year


• Repairing and replacing duct work


• Installing floor material, including carpeting


• Painting the exterior or interior


• Replacing any window or door, if no change in the dimensions or framing of the opening is involved


• Covering walls, plastering or placing a drywall on an existing wall


• Replacing glass in any window or door, if the replacement glass conforms to minimum requirements


• Replacing any faucet or valve, if the piping system doesn't have to be rearranged

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT AT 818-4400 x209 OR EMAIL THEM AT CODEOFFICIAL@ALLENDALE.ORG.

Building Permit Information

Did You Know....

You can protect your home investment without an assessment increase by completing maintenance and repair as needed. Items that do not require a permit include the following:

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ITEMS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE A PERMIT

Interior and exterior painting	Landscape work
Window boxes	New gutters and leaders
Window shutter	Installation & repairs carpet
Window glazing and puttying	Install storm windows and doors
Kitchen floors, tile or linoleum	Wall repairs - sheet rock or plaster only
Changing locks-single cylinder, dead bolts only	Repair existing driveways or sidewalks

Some items of repair and maintenance do require permits. These are listed with a note to guide you as to which department will issue the permit.

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ITEMS REQUIRING A PERMIT

Repair Type	Permit Type
Chimney repairs	Check with construction official
Fence replacement	Check with construction official
Install additional wall outlets	Construction permit
Increase power service to home	Construction permit
Roof repairs	Check with construction official
New roof	Construction permit
Porch and stair repairs	Check with construction official
New fence	Construction permit
Build new retaining wall	Check with construction official
Install hard surface driveways	Check with construction official
Create additional off-street parking	Check with construction official As per Borough Ordinance
Pipe leaders to existing storm drains	Check with construction official
Repair existing patios	Check with construction official
Repair garages/accessory buildings	Check with construction official Construction permit
Build or erect utility buildings, e.g., aluminum sheds and wood sheds	Construction permit
Install exterior entry into basement	Construction permit
Install driveway post light	Construction permit
Demolish sheds and/or buildings	Demolition permit
Water softeners	Construction permit
Water heaters	Construction permit

When Storm Water Management Approval Is Required

Prior to any construction permit review by the Borough Construction Office a storm water management approval is needed if your proposed construction activity includes:

• Construction of a one or two-family residence or applications involving the tearing down of an existing structure or two-family residence.


• The enlargement or expansion to an existing one or two-family residence in which the completed development shall have a roof surface area which is more than 33% greater than the existing roof surface area.


• The construction of an in-ground pool.

What To Do To Get A Storm Water Management Application

Applications for storm water management approval must be submitted to the Borough Engineer through the Construction Office before a construction application is submitted. The application must include the following:

• 2 copies of a grading plan prepared by a professional engineer licensed in NJ which includes, topography, elevations and drainage patterns. A written certification from the professional engineer certifying that there will be a zero increase in storm water runoff as a result of the proposed project.


• 2 copies of a landscaping plan showing existing and proposed trees, vegetation and proposed seepage pits and/or dry wells for the project.


• A $500.00 escrow deposit for the Borough Engineer to review the grading and landscaping plan is required.

After approval by the Borough Engineer and prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy and/or approval for construction performed in accordance with this requirement, the applicant's professional engineer shall certify in writing that the construction and/or landscaping was performed in accordance with the grading plans and that there is a zero increase in storm water runoff.

No construction permit shall be issued for any project applicable to this request when in the opinion of the Borough Engineer, the application fails to provide zero increase in storm water runoff.
Applicants and builders should plan ahead and provide time in their project schedule for the approval process.

Improvements That Will Increase Your Assessment

Improvement Type	Permit Type
Remodeling of kitchen	Construction permit
Remodeling of bath	Construction permit
New exterior siding and veneers	Construction permit
Add sun deck -- portico -- porch	Construction permit
In ground swimming pools	Construction permit
Plumbing alteration, modernization and tiling	Construction permit
Install masonry patios	Construction permit
Finish basement for recreation rooms, laundry rooms, and game rooms, etc.	Construction permit
Finish attic for additional rooms of any kind	Construction permit
Additions to house for rooms of any kind, garage, greenhouse, etc.	Construction permit
Central air conditioner	Construction permit

Please note, that if you do not schedule a final inspection for your building permit does not delay the added assessment to your tax bill.

Other improvements and alterations not listed may need a permit; therefore please call the Construction Official at 818-4400 x209 to obtain necessary information.

All construction permits can be obtained from the Construction Office at the Municipal Building.

If building permits are not obtained for improvements, penalties are imposed.
Please call Borough Hall at 818-4400 x209 if you have any questions.

Office Hours

The Construction Hours for picking up and dropping off permit information is Monday through Thursday 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Mr. Wittekind, our Construction Code Official/Building Inspector, is in Allendale on the following days and times.

Monday	Morning	9:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Tuesday	All day	9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Wednesday	Afternoon	12:30 PM to 4:00 PM.
Thursday	In Midland Park all day	-
Friday	Morning	9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

During these hours Mr. Wittekind may be in the field doing building inspections. If you need to meet with him please call his office for an appointment.