Roofers in Fort Lee, NJ
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Roofers in Fort Lee: what to know
Most Fort Lee roofs are shared
About 47% of housing units are in buildings with 50 or more units. Another 13% are in buildings with 20 to 49 (ACS B25024). Only about 14% of units are single-family detached homes.
In a condominium, state law lists roofs among the common elements (N.J.S.A. 46:8B-3). The association must maintain, repair and replace them (N.J.S.A. 46:8B-14). If water comes through your ceiling from above, report it to management first.
Permits depend on the building type
New Jersey treats repair or replacement of roof covering on a detached one- or two-family home as ordinary maintenance (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). That means no permit for those homes. The exemption does not cover other building types, so a roof job on an apartment or condo building needs a permit.
Applications go to the Fort Lee Building Department. Its permit page still shows an older version of the roofing rule.
If you are unsure, call the department before work starts. The borough warns that skipping a required permit can bring fines of up to $2,000 per violation.
Older buildings and lead paint
The median Fort Lee housing unit was built in 1971 (ACS B25035). About 65% of units predate 1980 (ACS B25034).
For homes built before 1978, contractors who disturb painted surfaces must be EPA lead-safe certified. Ask about it if your job includes old painted trim or fascia.
Runoff and the combined sewer
The borough's sewer overflow page says areas south of Main Street have combined sanitary and storm sewers. Runoff from roofs and driveways often flows into catch basins and adds to overflows into the Hudson River. The page points homeowners to a Bergen County Utilities Authority rain barrel incentive program.
Registration
New Jersey has no separate roofing license. Roofers must register every year as home improvement contractors and carry at least $500,000 per occurrence in liability insurance (Contractors' Registration Act).
You can check a registration on the state's license lookup. People employed by a community association or cooperative corporation are exempt from registration.
Fort Lee permit office
Building, plumbing and electrical permits come from the Borough of Fort Lee construction office. Your contractor normally pulls the permit, but it's worth confirming.
- Office
- Fort Lee Building Department (Construction Code Agency)
- Phone
- 201-592-3500 x1503
- Address
- 1365 Inwood Terrace, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
- Website
- fortleenj.org
Roofers in Fort Lee: common questions
Who fixes a leaking roof in my Fort Lee condo building?
Usually the association. New Jersey's Condominium Act lists roofs among the common elements, unless a part is reserved for one unit (N.J.S.A. 46:8B-3). The association must maintain, repair and replace common elements (N.J.S.A. 46:8B-14). Report the leak to management in writing. Your master deed may treat a private roof deck or terrace differently, so check it.
Does re-roofing a Fort Lee apartment building need a permit?
Yes. Only roof covering work on detached one- and two-family homes is ordinary maintenance under state rules (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). Other buildings, including condo and apartment buildings, need a permit. Applications go to the Fort Lee Building Department. The borough says fines for skipping a required permit can reach $2,000 per violation (permit page).
I own a single-family house in Fort Lee. Do I need a roofing permit?
Usually not for the roof covering itself. Repairing or replacing roof covering on a detached one- or two-family home is ordinary maintenance, with no permit or inspection (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). Structural work, such as replacing rafters, is different. The borough's permit page shows an older version of this rule, so confirm with the Building Department if you are unsure.
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