"Ordinary maintenance" means any work for which a building permit is not required by UCC Code , where the purpose and effect of such work is to correct any deterioration or decay of, or damage to, a structure or any part thereof and to restore the same, as nearly as practical, to its condition prior to the occurrence of.
Pursuant to adoption in the March 5, 2018 New Jersey Register, the requirements for ordinary maintenance have changed. New DCA Laws provided an outline click here (
The information listed below is meant to be an aid on the types of work that are considered to be ordinary maintenance. To view the Construction Communication click here (provide this link) https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/alerts/pdfs/OM_MW_03052018.pdf.
The following items are types of work that may be performed without a permit pursuant to the Uniform Construction Code. The classification of work as ordinary maintenance is not a waiver from code compliance; all work is required to meet code requirements. However, no permit is required and there are no inspections of the work. The list has been arranged by the building type and discipline for ease of use.
Ordinary Maintenance - Other Than Dwellings
For other than dwellings, the following has been designated as ordinary maintenance:
BUILDING
- Finishes - Painting (interior/exterior), wall papering, trim/molding (interior/exterior) and flooring material repair, replacement or installation.
- Siding - For other than polypropylene siding, existing siding may be repaired or replacement with like material not exceeding 25 percent of the total building exterior wall. The installation of any amount of polypropylene siding requires a permit.
- Windows/Doors
- Glass may be replaced in any window or door. The replacement glass must be of a type and quality that complies with the code;
- Windows and doors (including garage doors) may be replaced in the same rough opening without altering the dimensions or framing; this includes means of egress elements (such as emergency escape openings) when dimensions and framing are not altered, and the height, width or net clear opening is maintained.
- Screens may be repaired, replaced, or installed.
- Cabinets - Non-structural elements such as a cabinet may be repaired, replaced or installed.
- Decks - Any part of a deck, porch or stoop that does not provide structural support for any roof or portion of a building may be repaired or replaced.
- Insulation – The installation of insulation when installed adjacent to or not more than one and a half inches from an interior finish, except that the installation of foam plastic insulation requires a permit (Note: ordinary maintenance used to be limited to roll or batt insulation, now any insulation other than foam plastic is allowed as ordinary maintenance).
- Gutters - Exterior gutters and leaders may be repaired, replaced, or installed.
- Spas/Hot Tubs - Storable spas and hot tubs may be installed when provided with a lockable safety cover that complies with ASTM F1346.
PLUMBING
- Fixtures and fixture parts – Fixtures may be replaced with a similar fixture provided that there no change in the piping arrangement (Note: the replacement of fixtures was previously limited to single family dwellings, now fixtures may be replaced in all uses as ordinary maintenance); faucets and working parts of faucets may be replaced; existing fixtures may be refinished (relining fixtures is not ordinary maintenance).
- Valves – Hose bib valves may be replaced provided that an approved atmospheric vacuum breaker is provided (Note: the replacement of hose bibs used to be limited to single family dwellings, now they may be replaced in all uses as ordinary maintenance); valves and work parts of valves may be replaced including shower or combination bath/shower valves (Note: the replacement of shower valves used to be limited to single family dwellings now they may be replaced in all uses as ordinary maintenance).
- Ball Cocks – Ball cocks may be replaced provided that an approved anti-siphon type is used. (Continued on next page) Volume 30 Number 4 Winter 2018 Page 3 (Permit Requirements – Ordinary Maintenance and Minor Work Updated)
- Piping repair/replacement – Piping may be replaced to repair a leak (Note: the repair of leaks used to be limited to replacement of piping between any two adjacent joints, that is no longer the case).
- Appliance Replacements – Domestic clothes washers and domestic dishwashers may be replaced.
- Traps – Traps including traps on culinary sinks may be replaced.
- Drain cleaning – Stoppages may be removed.
ELECTRICAL
- Receptacles, switches and outlets – Receptacles, switches, or lighting fixtures that do not contain emergency battery packs may be replaced with a similar item. However, receptacles in locations where ground?fault circuit interrupter protection, damp/wet, or tamper?resistant must comply with Section 406.4(D) of the electrical subcode (Note: The limitation on 20 amps or less has been removed).
- Equipment – Repairing any installed electrically operated equipment such as doorbells, communication systems, and any motor-operated device (In the event of a fire protection system being interrupted for repairs, the fire official is to be notified in accordance with the building subcode).
- Communications Wiring – Communications wiring may be installed (i.e. Ch. 8 and data circuits between computers/information technology equipment from Article 725 of the electrical subcode) in a Class 3 structure (see N.J.A.C. 5:23?4.3A), provided that the rearrangement does not involve penetration of a fire rated assembly and is not in a hazardous location (see Ch. 5 of the electrical subcode).
- Appliances – Domestic dishwashers may be replaced.
FIRE
- The replacement of sprinkler or smoke detector, smoke alarm, or heat detector heads with a like device.
- The repair or replacement of any component of a fire alarm or smoke and heat detection equipment (other than the replacement of a fire alarm control panel) may be repaired or replaced.
- The installation of battery-powered smoke alarms and the installation of battery-powered or plug in carbon monoxide alarms.
MECHANICAL
- Motors, pumps and fans – Motors pumps and fans of the same capacity may be replaced.
- Heating, supply and return piping and radiation elements – The repair or replacement of heating supply and return piping and radiation elements where there is no rearrangement of the piping system.
- Duct work – Duct work may be repaired or replaced.
- Air Conditioning Equipment – Repair of air conditioning equipment and systems along with the repair or replacement of control devices for heating and air conditioning equipment.
- Liquid applied chimney lining – The application of liquid applied lining material inside an existing chimney.
Ordinary Maintenance - Residential Dwellings
For all dwellings, any work listed above is applicable to residential uses plus the following:
ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL
- Kitchen range hoods – Kitchen range hoods may be replaced provided that the replacement hood exhaust rate does not exceed the exhaust rate of the existing hood or the exhaust rate of the replacement hood does not exceed 400 cfm.
- Replacement of domestic appliances
- Domestic clothes dryers may be replaced provided that no change in fuel type, pipe size, or location or electrical characteristics is required.
- Domestic stoves and domestic ovens may be replaced provided no change in fuel type, pipe size, or location or electrical characteristics is required.
- Exhaust fans – Bathroom exhaust fans may be replaced
Ordinary Maintenance - One- and Two-Family Dwellings
Ordinary Maintenance and Minor Work Updated) Ordinary maintenance in one- and two-family dwellings: Any work listed in the two categories above applicable to residential uses plus the following:
BUILDING
- Finishes – Installation, repair or replacement of interior finishes of less than 25 percent of the wall area of the dwelling. This shall include plastering and drywall installation. (1) Vinyl wall covering of any amount is ordinary maintenance; (2) Paneling is not ordinary maintenance.
- Non-structural components – The repair or replacement of any non?structural component, such as a partition.
- Roofing – The repair or replacement (including total replacement) of any amount of existing roof covering on detached one- or two-family dwellings.
- Siding – The repair or replacement of any amount of existing siding. Exception: The repair or replacement of polypropylene siding is not ordinary maintenance.
ELECTRICAL
- Alarm systems – The installation of a burglar alarm, security system.
- Doorbells – Doorbells may be installed, repaired or replaced.
- Landscape irrigation systems – Plug-in landscape irrigation unit under 30 volts may be installed.