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Building Inspections
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How does one obtain a historical permit?
A historical permit application can be obtained at the Department of Inspections, located on the second floor of City Hall. This permit allows you to paint the exterior of a home in approved historical colors. The colors and the fixtures must remain the same.
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How long does it take for plan review to be completed?
If there are no zoning and planning board issues, plan review is completed in 20 working days from the time the construction inspector accepts the plans. After 20 days, a letter that states if the plans have been approved or denied is sent to the architect.
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How many sets of architectural plans must be submitted for compliance with the building code?
The code requires that the New Jersey architect or engineer submit two sets of sealed plans for Department of Inspections review. In the case of a restaurant, three sets of plans must be submitted.
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What building tasks require permits?
The construction of porches and enclosures, decks, pools, additions, new construction, fences, signs (such as billboards), sheetrocking, alterations (if the size of doors or windows are readjusted), roofing, siding, asbestos abatement, lead hazard abatement, and demolition tasks all require building permits. A permit is not needed to paint the outside of a home unless it is in a historic district.
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What happens if any plan is denied?
If a plan is denied, a letter is sent to the architect and the owner informing them of the plan’s denial status. All issues must be corrected before the plan can be approved.
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Electrical Inspections
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How does one arrange a reintroduction of service?
The owner shall apply to the Department of Inspections and complete a request form for reintroduction of service (this is applicable in all cases).
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What electrical tasks require permits?
The installation of lighting fixtures, receptacles, switches, smoke detectors, light poles, motors, motor control centers, emergency and exit lights, communication points, alarm devices/ fire alarm control panels, swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, electric range receptacles, electric water heaters, ovens/ surface units, electric dryers/ receptacles, dishwashers, central a/c units, space heaters/ air handlers, baseboard heat, transformers/ generators, electrical service panels, and electric signs/ outline lights all require permits.
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Elevator Inspections
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How soon after receipt of an elevator inspection invoice should the bill be paid?
The elevator inspection invoice must be paid within 30 days. Anytime after that, a court action will be taken for non-payment.
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What elevator tasks require permits?
The installation of traction or winding drums, hydraulics, roped hydraulics, escalators/ moving walks, dumbwaiters, stairway chair lifts, inclined and vertical wheelchair lifts, man lifts, oil buffers, counterweight governors and safeties, auxiliary power generators, or alterations to elevator mechanical systems all require permits.
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When are elevator certificates issued?
Thirty (30) days after the completion of an inspection.
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Where does one register an elevator?
Elevators must be registered with the State of New Jersey (989-7833).
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Why are fees for elevator inspections different every six months?
One inspection is semi-annual and does not require a test; the other is annual and requires a test with a licensed elevator company.
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Fire Inspections
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What fire tasks require permits?
The installation of alarm devices (i.e., smoke, heat, pulls, water/ flow), supervisory devices (i.e., tampers, low/ high air), signaling devices (i.e., horn/ strobes, bells), fire pumps, dry pipes/ alarm valves, pre-action valves, sprinkler systems (dry and wet), standpipes, wet chemicals, dry chemicals, CO2 suppression, foam suppression, clean agent suppression, kitchen hood exhaust systems, smoke control systems, gas or oil fired appliances (furnaces), fuel oil tanks, storage tanks and flammable and combustible liquid, and underground.
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What fire tasks require permits?
The installation of alarm devices (i.e., smoke, heat, pulls, water/ flow), supervisory devices (i.e., tampers, low/ high air), signaling devices (i.e., horn/ strobes, bells), fire pumps, dry pipes/ alarm valves, pre-action valves, sprinkler systems (dry and wet), standpipes, wet chemicals, dry chemicals, CO2 suppression, foam suppression, clean agent suppression, kitchen hood exhaust systems, smoke control systems, gas or oil fired appliances (furnaces), fuel oil tanks, storage tanks and flammable and combustible liquid, and underground water supplies for fire protection all require permits.
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Fire Safety
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What events or activities require a fire safety permit?
A fire safety permit is required for the operation of a circus or carnival, the discharging of fireworks, and during welding, cutting or torch use operations.
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Housing Inspections
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Can a citizen request a copy of his or her case?
Although all the information in the case is public information, personal information such as an unpublished telephone number is confidential. Therefore, we will allow a person to look at the parts of the file that are not considered confidential and make copies for them. It is probably better to get a subpoena so an inspector can bring the file to court and testify if necessary. Also, an attorney may request a copy for his or her file.
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How can one find out the status of a case?
Call the housing inspections division and ask to speak to the inspector of record. He or she will provide the information regarding the case as well as all actions being taken at that time.
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How long should a complainant wait to call the inspector?
If there is a housing problem, call the inspector immediately, especially if it is an emergency. The housing division is always willing to respond to a citizen or landlord complaint to assure that quality of life and life safety concerns are addressed.
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How many people can live in a property?
A tenant may be limited by the agreement reached with the landlord (whether it is a written or oral agreement) but also is governed by the total habitable floor space within the unit. A rule of thumb is to take the number of people and put the number 50 behind it to calculate the minimum number of square feet required. This does not include hallways, closets, baths, or storage spaces. Cellars of buildings may not be used as part of the living area because they do not meet the standard for habitable space.
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How should one address a housing problem?
First, notify the landlord of the problem and allow a reasonable time for the landlord to address the problem. If the problem persists, contact the housing inspection office at 989-3560, 989-3562 or 989-3563. Be prepared to provide the following: a description of the problem, how long it has existed, and a contact number.
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What are the penalties associated with violating city housing codes?
Violations that are not corrected can result in penalties of up to $2,000 in fines and 90 days in jail.
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What happens if a court appearance is not made when required?
The judge will issue a warrant for the arrest of the person who does not appear. This could cause the person to be detained by the police until bail is posted and the hearing rescheduled. It also delays the required work from being completed until all parties appear in court.
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Inspections
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How does one set up an appointment?
Contact the Department of Inspections at 989-3543. There are no specific appointment times; however, a time frame of up to two hours may be given.
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Plumbing Inspections
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How does one test piping (gas, drainage, water)?
A licensed contractor will conduct tests on necessary piping for water (head test) and gas (air test, etc); all tests must sustain adequate pressure for 15 minutes.
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What is the minimum depth for water and sewer connections?
The minimum depth required for water service connection is 42 inches. The minimum depth for sewer system drainage is 24 inches.
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What is the standard temperature for hot water?
For areas housing children (such as pre-school, day care and public places), the temperature of hot water should be between 90 degrees and 105 degrees. The temperature of water in private homes should be from 120 to 140 degrees.
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What tasks require backflow preventers?
The following tasks require backflow preventers: domestic heat exchangers, boilers, landscaping sprinkler systems, hose bibb connections, chemical dispensers, fire protection systems, carbonated beverage dispensers.
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Property Transfer- Housing Inspections
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Can the buyer of a property complete an application for a Certificate of Housing Code Compliance?
No, in the content of the application it requires that the applicant authorize the inspection and access to the property since the buyer has no legal rights to the property until it is sold. The seller or their agent can only apply for the inspection.
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How does one obtain a Residential Certificate of Housing Code Compliance?
After the inspection is complete, a list of violations is given to the seller and after completion of those violations a certificate will be issued.
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How long is the Certificate of Housing Code Compliance valid?
A Certificate of Housing Code Compliance is valid for six months.
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Is it possible to fax the application to the Department of Inspections?
No, the application must be accompanied by the necessary fees in order to be processed.
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Must a commercial property be inspected prior to the transfer of ownership?
At the present time there are no required inspections for the transfer of commercial properties, unless a residential unit is within the structure.
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What is the requirement for transferring ownership of a property?
The owner or the agent must file an application with the Division of Housing Inspections requesting a complete inspection of the dwelling. After the necessary fees are paid, an inspector will call to set an appointment for the inspection.
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Rental Property- Housing Inspections
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Are tenants responsible for providing their own Smoke Detectors or Carbon Monoxide Detector in rental properties?
No, landlords are required to provide smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide detector. A smoke detector must be present on each level of the dwelling and a CO detector on the sleeping level. However, tenants are responsible for changing the batteries and notifying the owner of a faulty unit.
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Before moving into a rental property, should an inspection be completed?
It is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure that rental units are inspected prior to occupancy. The dated sticker on the edge of the door is the evidence that the property is licensed; however, it must be inspected every time that occupancy changes.
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How does one license a rental property?
Visit the second floor of City Hall in the Department of Inspections and complete a non-occupant owner license application with the required fee.
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How is a landlord notified that there is a violation?
The Department of Inspections will mail the landlord written notice that allows a reasonable amount of time for all violations to be corrected. All notifications are mailed by both regular and certified mail to the address as listed in the tax office records.
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Must a landlord be licensed in order to rent a property?
All non-occupant landlords are required to be licensed. The Division of Housing maintains a database of all licensed properties in the City of Trenton if one wishes to verify whether a particular property is licensed. Additionally, a landlord must display his or her license by posting it on the upper edge of the front door.
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What are a tenant’s responsibilities?
The tenant is expected to exercise reasonable care of the unit, which includes keeping it clean and sanitary and properly using all facilities supplied to the tenant. Remember: The tenant could be found in violation if proper care is not taken of the dwelling unit. This includes the proper disposal of garbage on collection days and the maintenance of the yard.
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What happens if a landlord does not do the required work ?
Usually the landlord will receive a notice to appear in court to give just cause why this work was not started or has not been completed. If there is not a good reason for the incomplete work, fines and penalties may be imposed by the judge.
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What should one expect to find when moving into a rental unit?
Before moving, make sure that the apartment building is licensed with the City of Trenton by looking for a current sticker on the top corner of the front door. If there is no sticker, call 989-3563 to report the situation.
If there is a sticker, the landlord is required to provide a clean, habitable living unit. Be sure to check to make sure that the apartment meets the renter’s needs as well as the conditions in the following locations:
- Bathroom — Check the water pressure, for hot and cold water, and look for leaks. Make sure that the toilet works. Check for loose tiles on the walls and floor, and check for evidence of infestation.
- Kitchen — Check the water pressure, for hot and cold water, and for leaks. There should be a stove and refrigerator properly connected to the appropriate utility; check for evidence of infestation.
- Ceiling — Check the ceiling and walls for water leak stains, dampness, loose plaster, holes, or cracks.
- Windows — Check the locks, screens, glass, and frames and weatherproofing.
- Floors — Look for rotten wood, loose tiles, splinters, and water stains.
- Electricity — Make sure that the light switches and fixtures work. There should be covers on all outlets and light switches. Take a lamp and try all of the outlets, and look for hanging or open wires. It is sometimes not possible to check the working condition of electrical switches and outlets since the power may have been shut off in the apartment.
- Heat — Turn on the heating system and make sure that it works properly, even if you rent in the summer. Ask about the last time that the heating unit was serviced.
- Basement — Look for dirt, trash, leaks (or evidence of leaks), loose wires, broken windows, crumbling walls, and termites.
- Smoke detectors — Check for installation on all levels and make sure they work properly.
- Doors — Check for dead-bolt locks on the entrance door and ensure that they are weather tight.
- Paint — Look in all rooms to make sure paint is fresh; make sure that walls are smooth and able to be cleaned.
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What should one expect to find when moving into a rental unit?
Before moving, make sure that the apartment building is licensed with the City of Trenton by looking for a current sticker on the top corner of the front door. If there is no sticker, call 989-3563 to report the situation.
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Who is responsible for heat and utilities?
Usually the responsibility is agreed upon in the lease. Whenever a dwelling is heated by means of a furnace, boiler or other heating apparatus under the control of the owner or operator of the dwelling, such owner or operator, in the absence of a written contract or agreement to the contrary, shall be deemed to have contracted, undertaken or bound himself or herself to furnish heat in accordance with the provisions of this subsection to every dwelling unit which contains radiators, furnace heat duct outlets or other heating apparatus outlets. (Please see Section 12-8.17b of the Revised General Ordinances of the City of Trenton for details.)
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Weights and Measures
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How can one tell if a scale has been approved?
When a device passes its annual inspection, a blue seal of approval is placed on it. If its results are incorrect, the scale is rejected for use until corrected. Samples of the blue seals of approval can be found on scales at a supermarket or pumps at a gas station.
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How does the City ensure that citizens receive their money’s worth when buying items like meat, milk and gasoline?
In New Jersey, all large cities and most counties have weights and measures inspectors working to protect consumers from unfair practices. Highly accurate equipment is used to test and inspect scales and bar code scanners at food stores, hardware stores, meat processing plants, scrap yards, pharmacies and precious metals buyers. In addition, inspections are performed on gasoline dispensers, heating oil truck meters, propane meters, water meters, timing devices and counting devices. Many forms of taxes and fees are based on weight or measurement.
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What are the consequences of using an incorrect scale in a business establishment (as a means to charge consumers)?
A scale that is incorrect by one ounce on each weighing, making 100 weighs a day for 300 days a year at a unit price of $2.00 per pound, will cause an error of $3,750 per year. An error of 3 tablespoons in 5 gallons on a gasoline pump will result in an error of thousands of dollars per year at today’s average prices.
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Zoning
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How does one obtain a business license?
The City Clerk’s Office issues business licenses.
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What zoning task(s) require permits?
Residential, commercial, or industrial approval must be granted to establish businesses because that establishment may overpopulate or create too much noise in an area. All plans have to be approved by a zoning officer before they are reviewed by the other Sub Code officials.
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