The Construction Office is responsible for the enforcement of the Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C.5:23 as well as enforcement of the provisions of the Absecon Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, Chapter 195 and the Developmental Ordinance, Chapter 224 of the Code of The City of Absecon.

Construction Official:		Patrick Malia		CLICK HERE FOR ALL UCC FORMS:
Zoning Official:		John Fairweather
Building and Fire Subcode Official:
Electrical Subcode Official:
Plumbing Subcode Official:
Floodplain Administrator:

Construction Permits are required to construct, enlarge, repair, alter, renovate, demolish, reconstruct or change the use of a building or structure or to install equipment. This is not an all-inclusive listing of permit requirements. Permit questions should be directed to the Construction Official at 609-641-0663, ext. 113.

Prior to applying for a permit, there are certain approvals or certifications that may be required. These approvals are called Prior Approvals and are issued by various Federal, State, and/or County agencies. Some prior approval requirements that apply to some Building Permits are: Zoning, Planning/Zoning Board, Cape Atlantic Soil Conservation, County Planning Board, Atlantic County Health Department. NJ Dept of Environmental Protection, NJ Department of Transportation.

A construction permit application must contain a general description of the work, the work location, use and occupancy of all parts of the building or structure, the owner(s) name and address, block/lot, sanitary waste disposal (sewer or septic), water or well, etc. Additionally, two copies of plans, drawn to scale, with sufficient clarity and full dimensions to show the nature and character of the work to be performed are required. Plans must show the following details:

• Building Plans: Shall show foundation, floor, roof, structural plans (framing details), door and window sizes, section details, connection details, etc.
• Electrical Plans: Shall show floor and ceiling plans, lighting, receptacles, motors and equipment, service entry location, line diagram and wire, conduit and breaker sizes.
• Plumbing Plans: Shall show floor plans, fixtures, pipe sizes, equipment and other materials, fixture schedule, and sewage disposal information.
• Mechanical Plans: Shall contain floor and ceiling plans, size of air distribution ducts, duct location, and location of all equipment that will be installed.

Note: All plans must be sealed and signed by a New Jersey Registered Architect or Licensed Engineer. The Construction Official may waive the requirement for sealed plans in the case of a single-family homeowner who has prepared his own plans for the construction, alteration or repair of a structure intended to be used exclusively as his private residence and to be constructed by himself. Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing plans for Class 3 structures may be sealed by NJ licensed contractors for the respective subcodes.

Inspections are required for all permitted work in accordance with the provisions of N.J.A.C5:23-2.18. Inspection information may be obtained by contacting the Construction Office.

A Construction Permit is a license to proceed with the work approved and shall not be construed as authority to violate, cancel or set aside any of the provisions of the regulations. The work must conform to the approved application, plans and specifications for which the permit has been issued including prior approvals and any amendments to the approved plans.

Zoning Permits
A Zoning Permit is required for new residential dwellings and improvements to existing dwellings such as additions, decks and swimming pools. Zoning permits are also required for fences, walls and residential storage sheds.

A copy of a current property survey, by a NJ licensed surveyor, showing all existing improvements and proposed improvements is required for all applications.

The City of Absecon has several affordable housing options for low income individuals, families, and seniors. For current availablility of units, please contact the property management team of the community that interests you. Any other questions pertaining to affordable housing, please feel free to contact our officer during business hours.  

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	Clayton Mill Run
	701 South New Road (Rose Hill Drive & Clayton Way) Units Available Conifer Real Estate Christiana Quiles 600 Rose Hill Drive Absecon, NJ 08201 Phone: (609) 385-2745 Fax: (609) 385-1513 E-mail: ClaytonMillRun@ConiferLLC.com https://coniferllc.com/properties/clayton-mill-run-absecon-nj-conifer-realty-llc/
	Visions at Absecon
	Off Pitney Road 3 School View Drive (Family) & 13 Stoneybrook Drive (Senior) There are Units Available and there is a Waitlist  CRM Residential Property Management Matt Gallagher 36 S. Main Street Pleasantville, NJ 08232 Phone: (917) 576-4955 E-mail: MattGallagher132@gmail.com
	Absecon Gardens
	West Church Street & New Jersey Avenue Affordable Purchase – Currently 100% Occupied

Community Affairs Committee - The Committee has legislative oversight responsibilities for matters related to all civic, social and community groups in the City, including Absecon Education Foundation, Library Board, Senior Center, AARP, Absecon Historical Society, Women’s Club(s), Ladies League, Absecon Garden Club, Lions, Rotary, and Parent Teachers Organization.

Economic Development Committee -The Committee has legislative oversight responsibility for all matters related to economic, business and commercial promotion and development of the City, including promotional activities and seeking funding sources and grants and developing connections with the City business, local merchants and economic development groups.

Parks, Playgrounds & Recreation Committee -The Committee has legislative oversight responsibilities for all matters related to the operation and activities related to our parks and playground programs and other recreational activities, holiday parades and related programs, including the observance of recognized holidays.

Planning Board -The purpose of the Planning Board is to hear applications for Site Plans, Subdivisions and Site Plan Waivers.

Public Safety Committee - The Committee has legislative oversight responsibilities for all matters relating to the activities and operations of the Police Department, the Communications Department, the Fire Department and the ambulance service and all other matters related to public safety within the City.

Public Works and Sewer Committee - The Committee has legislative oversight responsibilities related the activities and operations of the Public Works Department, including repair and maintenance of public buildings and grounds, streets and roads, parks and playgrounds, water and sewer facilities, and all matters related to the sanitary sewer needs of the City, including seeking funding sources and grants.

Revenue, Appropriations and Finance Committee - The Committee has legislative oversight responsibilities related to the financial, tax and insurance aspects of the City.  It performs a monthly review of all revenues and expenditures occurring during the month.

Zoning Board of Adjustment- The purpose of the Zoning Board is to hear applications for Bulk Variances and Use Variances when a proposed application is not an approved use in the Land Use Master Plan.

The City of Absecon is a Mayor and Council form of government. 

NJSA:40A:61-1 et. seq. 

Voters Elect 
Mayor and Council. Partisan 

Organization of Governing Body
First week in January 

Mayor 
The Mayor is selected at-large to a four-year term.  The Mayor is the Chief Executive and may participate in Council deliberations, but only votes to break a tie among the the governing body members. The Mayor can veto ordinances subject to a 2/3 override by Council. The Mayor heads the police department. and appoints, with the advice and consent of Council, subordinate officers and certain board members of the municipality.

Council 
Council is the legislative body of the municipality and consists of seven members. Three members each represent Ward 1 and Ward 2 of the City and are elected to staggered three-year terms.  One member is an at-large representative elected to a four-year term.  Council elects one of its members as President to chair Council meetings and perform other duties as presiding officer.  Each Council member heads one of the Council Committees and is a member of two others.  All committees hold a regularly scheduled monthly meeting.  Council is responsible for enacting ordinances, resolutions, adoping the annual budget and setting policy for the municipality. 

Administration 
The City Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the City and supervises all City Departments, with the exception of the Police Department.  The Administrator executes and enforces the laws of the State of New Jersey, as well as ordinances and resolutions of the City, and sets and implements policy with the approval and consent of the Mayor and Council. The Administrator attends all Council meetings and Committee meetings as directed.  The Administrator prepares the annual budget, negotiates contracts and ensures compliance.

Hours of Municipal Court are 8:30 Am to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Court is scheduled on Mondays at 5 PM. The Municipal Court is a local court created by State law. Practice and procedures are governed by New Jersey Court Rules. The Municipal Court Judge is responsible for overseeing the administration of the Municipal Court.

Contact the Municipal Court office for Zoom instructions.

Cases heard in Municipal Court are divided into four general categories:

1. Violations of Motor Vehicle and traffic laws.
2. Violations of disorderly and petty disorderly persons offenses.
3. Violations of Fish and Game laws, Parks and Forests, Weights and Measures, SPCA and Boating regulations.
4. Violations of Municipal Ordinances (local laws).

More serious offenses, known as indictable offenses, are arraigned in Municipal Court but then sent to the County Prosecutor’s Office.

Each municipality appoints its own Municipal Court Judge. An Informational Guide is available in the office.

For helpful information regarding the court system, to pay a payable traffic summons, to check on your court date or for information regarding points which maybe assessed to you or a result of your traffic summons, please go to the New Jersey Judiciary Home Page at njmcdirect.com.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Municipal Complex Council Chambers.

The purpose of the Zoning Board is to hear applications for Bulk and Use Variances. All applications require a fee and escrow when submitted. Please contact Tina Lawler, the Board Secretary, if you have any questions.

Click here for meeting agendas and minutes

Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM in Municipal Complex Council Chambers.

The purpose of the Planning Board is to hear applications for Site Plans, Site Plan Waivers, and Subdivisions. All applications require a fee and escrow when submitted. Please contact Tina Lawler, the Board Secretary, if you have any questions.

Click here for meeting agendas and minutes

Click here for information on the Land Use and Development Ordinance

The Tax Assessor’s Office is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of real property values within the city. All values are determined by inspection of the site in question and established per rules set forth by the State of New Jersey. The Tax Assessor’s office works directly with the Atlantic County Board of Taxation.

The office staff is composed of the Tax Assessor and an Administrative Assistant. The Assessor must be certified by the State of New Jersey. The certification indicates that certain educational standards have been met and approved by the state.

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Important State Phone Numbers