FAQs • Summit, NJ • CivicEngage

What permits do I need to close on my house?: You do not need a permit to close on a house, but the City does require that you first obtain a Zoning Certificate of Occupancy and that any ‘open permits’ be inspected and closed. If you have any questions, please contact the Construction Office in the Department of Community Services (DCS) in person or by calling 908-273-6408.

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Code Administration, Construction, & Development

1. What do I need a building (construction) permit for? What is the procedure?: You will need a building permit for most types of renovations, additions, or general home improvements. Please read the Construction Permit Process PDF below to determine whether a permit is required. If you have any questions, please contact the Construction Office in person or by calling 908-273-6408. Construction Permit Process (PDF)

2. How many construction permit drawings are required to submit a construction permit?: Thank you for contacting the City of Summit Construction Office in the Department of Community Services (DCS). Two (2) construction drawings are typically required in order to submit a construction permit, either drawn and signed by the home owner or signed and sealed by a licensed architect.

3. I would like to schedule a building and/or electrical and/or fire and/or mechanical and/or plumbing inspection.

Thank you for contacting the City of Summit Construction Office in the Department of Community Services (DCS). You must have your construction permit number to schedule an inspection. Inspections can be scheduled via phone or in person. Please call 908-273-6408 or visit the DCS counter on the second (2nd) floor of City Hall at 512 Springfield Avenue, Summit, NJ, from 7AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday.

Building inspections occur 8AM - 1:30PM Monday through Thursday, and 8AM - 3PM on Friday.
Electrical inspections occur 8AM – 11:30AM Monday through Friday.
Plumbing and mechanical inspections occur 8AM -12PM Monday through Friday.
Fire inspections occur 8:30AM - 4PM Tuesday through Thursday. Please note, the fire inspector is also a full-time firefighter and is subject to emergencies and time changes.

Summer hours

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the hours for the DCS counter to schedule an inspection are 7AM - 4:30PM Monday through Thursday, and 7AM - 1PM on Friday.

Electrical inspections occur 8:30AM - 11AM Tuesday through Friday.
Plumbing and mechanical inspections occur 8AM - 12PM Monday through Friday.
Fire inspections occur 8:30AM - 4PM Tuesday through Thursday. Please note, the fire inspector is also a full-time firefighter and is subject to emergencies and time changes.

4. What is the schedule for building and/or electrical and/or fire and/or mechanical and/or plumbing inspections?

To schedule an inspection, please contact the Construction Office in the Department of Community Services (DCS) at 908-273-6408 with your permit number.

Building inspections occur 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and between 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Friday.
Electrical inspections occur 8:00 – 11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.
Plumbing and Mechanical inspections occur 8:00 a.m. - Noon, Monday through Friday.

Fire inspections occur 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday. For Fire inspections, the Fire inspector is also a full-time Firefighter and is subject to emergencies and time changes. If you have any questions, please contact the Construction Office in person or by calling 908-273-6408.

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Department of Community Services (DCS) counter hours to schedule an inspection are 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Friday. All inspections on Fridays during Memorial Day and Labor Day will be performed between 8 a.m. – noon.

5. What permits do I need to close on my house?: You do not need a permit to close on a house, but the City does require that you first obtain a Zoning Certificate of Occupancy and that any ‘open permits’ be inspected and closed. If you have any questions, please contact the Construction Office in the Department of Community Services (DCS) in person or by calling 908-273-6408.

6. What time can construction take place in Summit?: Construction work involving noise may occur between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sundays. Suspected infractions are reported to the Summit Police Department.

7. When does a construction permit application require a survey?: A construction permit application requires a property survey when you are doing any outside work and three (3) copies of the survey must be submitted.