Buildings & Construction

About the Department of Buildings & Construction  

The Holmdel Township Department of Buildings & Construction is designated as a Class 1 Agency authorized to regulate construction in the Township of Holmdel pursuant to the Uniform Construction Code Act (P.L. 1975, c.217, as amended). 

Its Primary responsibility is to enforce the Uniform Construction Code, review and release plans and specifications for construction projects, issue Construction Permits, and conduct inspections to ensure compliance with the regulations. 

The overall purpose of the Department is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Holmdel and to ensure the adequate  maintenance of buildings and structures and the systems that provide protection for life safety.

About Construction Permits  

Any building or structure that is constructed, extended, repaired, removed, renovated, altered, reconstructed,  raised, lowered, or undergoes an occupancy change, requires a Construction Permit. No permit is required for Ordinary Maintenance.

ANY CONSTRUCTION REQUIRING PERMITS MUST HAVE ALL REQUIRED APPROVALS AND CONSTRUCTION PERMITS ISSUED PRIOR TO THE START OF WORK. FAILURE TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED APPROVALS AND PERMITS WILL SUBJECT THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY AND THE CONTRACTOR TO SIGNIFICANT PENALTIES. 

Adopted Building Codes for New Jersey

The adopted 2021 I-Codes, along with the 2021 National Standard Plumbing Code and 2020 National Electrical Code, were adopted on September 6, 2022 and are the regulating codes for all construction regulated under the Uniform Construction Code. 

There is a six-month grace period for the previous model codes to be used if a completed permit application, including all prior approvals, is submitted, reviewed and approved. 

About the Uniform Construction Code  

The Uniform Construction Code regulates construction in New Jersey. It is the adopting authority for all of the "Subcode" regulations. These Subcodes include: Building, Electric, Fire, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Elevator, Energy, One & Two Family, Barrier Free, Rehabilitation, Asbestos Hazard, and Radon Hazard.   

The expressed intent of the regulations is to insure public safety, health and welfare insofar as they are affected by building construction, through structural strength, adequate egress facilities, sanitary equipment, light and ventilation, and fire safety; and, in general, to secure safety to life and property from all hazards incident to the design, erection, repair, removal, demolition or use and occupancy of buildings, structures or premises.

Intent and Purpose of the Regulations  

✔ To encourage innovation and economy in construction and to provide requirements for construction and construction materials consistent with nationally recognized standards.

✔ To formulate such requirements, to the extent practicable, in terms of performance objectives, so as to make adequate performance for the use intended as the test of acceptability.

✔ To permit to the fullest extent feasible the use of modern technical methods, devices and improvements, including premanufactured systems, consistent with reasonable requirements for the health, safety and welfare of occupants or users of buildings and structures.

✔ To eliminate restrictive, obsolete, conflicting and unnecessary construction regulations that tend to unnecessarily increase construction costs or retard the use of new materials, products or methods of construction, or provide preferential treatment to types or classes of materials or products or methods of construction.

✔ To insure adequate maintenance of buildings and structures throughout the State and to adequately protect the health, safety and welfare of the people.

✔ To eliminate unnecessary duplication of effort and fees in the review of construction plans and the inspection of construction.