Permit for Kitchen Update in NJ??

Question

Hi All,

I have been searching the forums about pulling permits and I have also talked to my local jurisdiction, where I am rehabbing a house for a rental.  It is mostly cosmetic (paint, floors, etc).  The largest part of the rehab is re-doing the kitchen (replacing cabinets, replacing formica walls with sheetrock, and putting down LVP floors).  I am not moving plumbing, and doing light electrical, maybe adding a light, or outlet.  The city said, if you are just replacing cabinets, you are fine.  They said if you are pulling down sheetrock, you need a permit.  There is no sheetrock to pull down, but I will be putting sheetrock up.  Again, they said "you should be fine."  I just do not want to do the kitchen rehab and have not pulling a permit bit me in the rear.  But I also do not want to wait the 2 weeks and go through the permit process if it is not necessary.  I also am not looking to shortcut the system, just trying to get a straight answer.  I appreciate any thoughts on this-

Sam Shueh · Answer

In No CA, alter plumbing, electrical outlets etc.

Cosmetic, cabinets, add flooring(actually enforce structure stability), counter tops, no permit is required.

Daniel Kent · Answer

@Gary Harris thanks Gary!  Simple and clear explanation-  I appreciate it!

Gary Harris · Answer

HI

@Daniel Kent

Usually when you take down a wall, but are leaving the framing they will want to check the framing of that wall.  That's even if you didn't build the wall and it's pre-existing.  So if you are putting up sheetrock over what's currently there you don't need a permit, but if what you are doing will expose the framing of the wall you will technically need to pull a permit and have a framing inspection of that exposed pre-existing wall.

Gary