Construction

The Construction Division governs the building of new structures, as well as the alterations of, and additions to existing structures. The Construction Division or Building Division issues permits for such activities, and conducts inspections, and ultimately issues Certificates of Occupancy or Approval to indicate compliant completion of those projects.

The Atlantic City Division of Construction has prepared this comprehensive plan review application guide to assist applicants in the plan review and release process. The guide gives step by step instructions to the plan submittal process, including definitions for the various types of construction projects, check lists for both complete plan filings and partial filings, calculation worksheets for fee schedules, addresses, and telephone numbers if there are any questions.

In 1975, the State Legislature enacted the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code Act, which established the Department of Community Affairs as the primary building codes and standards agency in the State. The Act provided for a single, mandatory construction code and for a fundamental restructuring of the enforcement process. Hence, the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (UCC), N.J.A.C. 5:23, et seq., was adopted and became effective January 1, 1977.

When Department (State) Review and Release is Required

Municipalities are delegated the bulk of the responsibility for enforcing the UCC, including performing plan reviews, issuing permits, inspecting construction, and issuing certificates of occupancy.

All plans for the following structures must be submitted to the Department of Community Affairs for review and release:

– Electrical generating stations and substations, including nuclear
– Incineration plants
– Solid waste disposal plants
– Public mausoleums, vaults, crypts and other structures intended to hold or contain human remains
– Casino hotels
– All premanufactured systems for Class I and Class II structures, other than those authorized to be approved by an inplant inspection agency licensed to perform Class I and Class II plan review, and all on-site installation of Class I and Class II premanufactured construction within the jurisdiction of a local enforcing agency that is not a Class I or Class II agency.

Once a release, either partial or complete, is obtained from the Department’s Bureau of Construction Project Review, the municipalities will issue the appropriate permit(s) and perform inspections so that construction may ensue.