Whether you need a permit in Newark depends on where the concrete sits. Work in the street right of way goes through the city. Work on your own lot is governed by zoning and, for structures, by the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code. We check the rule for your address before we start, and what follows is general information.
Do I need a permit for a driveway or patio?
You should expect to need a permit for anything that touches the curb, the apron or the public sidewalk, and to need zoning sign-off for new paving on the lot. A patio poured on the ground is not a building, but it still counts toward the paved area that zoning allows. Replacing an existing slab in the same footprint is the simplest case. We confirm the exact requirement with the city for your address, because we could not verify every local detail online.
Do I need a permit to widen my driveway?
Yes, plan on it. To widen a driveway usually means a wider curb cut, and the curb belongs to the street. A wider cut also removes on-street parking, which Newark neighborhoods are short of, so the city reviews it. Paving more of the front yard is a zoning matter too.
Who owns the driveway apron: me or the city?
The apron is the piece of driveway between the street and the sidewalk. It lies in the public right of way, so the city controls how it is built, and you need a permit to change it. Across New Jersey the cost of keeping it up normally falls on the owner of the property it serves. Ask the Newark Department of Engineering how that applies on your street.
Who is responsible for the sidewalk in front of my house?
In most New Jersey towns the owner of the abutting property is responsible, because state law lets a municipality put sidewalk upkeep on that owner by ordinance. We could not read the Newark ordinance first-hand, so confirm it with the Department of Engineering before you spend money. Clearing snow and ice is normally the owner's or occupant's job as well.
The city sent me a notice to fix the sidewalk. What now?
If the city sent a notice, read the deadline and the description of what must be fixed, then call the office named on it. Where an owner does not act, towns can do the work and bill the property, often as a lien. Get a written quote quickly, ask what permit applies, and keep copies of everything.
Must I use the city's contractor, or can I hire my own?
In most cases you can hire my own contractor, as owners put it, provided the contractor takes out the permit and builds to the city's standard for thickness, width, slope and finish. Some towns also want proof of insurance or a bond from whoever works in the right of way. Check the notice for any list of conditions.
How close to the property line can I pour?
Zoning sets how close to the property line paving may go, and the distance varies by zone. On narrow Newark lots a driveway often runs right along the line, which is why knowing exactly where the line is matters. Water from your slab must not be directed onto the neighbor either. We check the setback for your address.
Do I need a survey?
You need a survey when the concrete will run near a boundary and the line is not certain. Fences, hedges and old curbs are often a foot or two off the true line in older neighborhoods. Many owners already have a survey in their closing papers. A zoning application may ask for one in any case.
Do I need HOA approval?
If you live in a condominium or a townhouse community with an association, yes, get HOA approval in writing before work starts. Most houses in Newark are not in one. Newer townhouse developments and some redevelopment areas are, and their rules can cover color, finish and where a patio may go.
How much of my lot can I cover with concrete?
Each zone has a limit on lot coverage or impervious surface, meaning roofs and paving that do not let rain soak in. Small city lots reach that limit fast. If you are near it, permeable pavers or a smaller slab may be the way through. The zoning office gives the figure for your lot.
When does a retaining wall need an engineer or a permit?
Under the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code rules (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14), a retaining wall with a total height of four feet or more needs a construction permit, and the heights of stepped walls on one slope are added together. A wall of that size, or a lower one holding up a driveway or sitting close to a foundation, should be designed by an engineer. Shorter garden walls still need a proper footing and drainage.
How do I find underground utility lines before digging?
Call 811 or use New Jersey One Call. The service is free and marks public utility lines. New Jersey One Call asks anyone digging to call at least three full business days ahead, not counting weekends and holidays. When we do the work, we place the request. Private lines, such as a line to a garage, a sprinkler pipe or a yard drain, are not marked, so tell us about any you know of.
I need a wheelchair ramp and a wider walkway. What are the rules?
A ramp for a private home should follow the accessible design slope of no steeper than 1 inch of rise per 12 inches of run, with level landings and edge protection. A ramp attached to the house may need a construction permit. A ramp or walk for a business must meet the accessibility standards in full. We have no published price for ramps, so we price them after a site visit.
My house is in a historic district. Can I replace old or decorative concrete?
Possibly, with review first. Newark lists seven local historic districts: Forest Hill, North Broad Street, James Street Commons, Military Park Commons, Four Corners, Lincoln Park and Weequahic Park. Visible exterior changes in a district can need approval from the city's historic preservation commission. Old bluestone walks and scored or tinted concrete are worth matching. Ask before anything is removed.
Not sure what applies at your address? Call (917) 909-5931 and we will find out.