On April 8, 2020 Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 122 which, in part, ceases the physical operations of non-essential construction projects indefinitely effective Friday April 10, 2020, at 8:00 pm. Essential projects as defined in the order are allowed to continue provided they meet the requirements set forth in the Executive Order. Please follow this link to the New Jersey Website for Frequently asked questions concerning Essential Construction Projects.

FAQ Essential Construction Business @ NJ. Gov (Note there is a chat feature to connect you with a representative to answer questions. Look for the Blue Circle with a square inside and a smile)

State of New Jersey Executive Order 122

New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Executive Order 122 Guide (Division of Codes and Standards)

If your project meets the requirements of Executive Order 122 for Essential Construction then there will be additional steps you will need to take. “In short, the person in responsible charge over essential project permitted to continue must implement precautions to ensure social distancing, personnel limitations, frequent sanitization of equipment and of commonly used species, etc. In order to continue as an essential construction project the person in responsible charge must submit documentation to the local construction office attesting to how the project qualifies as an essential construction project and the measures/precautions put in place to satisfy #3 and #4 of Executive Order 122.” (NJ DCA Alert 4/14/2020) The full document can be found by following the provided link New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Executive Order 122 Guide (Division of Codes and Standards). All Essential Construction projects must provide this documentation as outlined in the order.

If your project does not meet the requirements of Executive Order 122 for Essential Construction in accordance with the order the project must cease indefinitely effective  April 10, 2020 at 8:00 pm.

With the exception of Permit Applications for new structures, Permit Applications will be accepted by MAIL ONLY and should include a blank check made payable to, “Hillsborough Township,” as applicable. This includes any new Permits, Permit Updates, or re-submittals. We ask that you thoroughly look over and make sure the application is complete in order to avoid any delays. All Technical Sections and Permit Jackets are state forms that can either be found on the Hillsborough Township website or through the NJDCA website.If you have a large submission for new structures, please contact the Building Department directly to make special drop off arrangements.

If you have a Permit that is ready to be paid for, please mail us a check made  payable to, “Hillsborough Township,” Once the payment is processed we will mail you back your permit paperwork. 

Please send all payments to the following address:

Hillsborough Municipal Complex

Attention: Building Department

379 South Branch Road

Hillsborough, NJ 08844

Yes, beginning April 17th, we are now accepting credit card payments over the phone. Please contact us if you have any questions.

• Unoccupied new construction projects will continue to be inspected.  However, all construction personnel must vacate the area to be inspected after leaving on site, the released Permit documents and Plans for the Inspectors’ use.  If the building to be inspected is closed in, construction personnel are advised to open all windows and doors to air out the building prior to the inspection.
• All required inspections of any work on the exterior or outside of any occupied building will be performed as usual.

No. No person should be present in the area of an inspection while it is being performed. Please make sure all Permit documents and approved Plans are on site and available for the inspectors use. Unoccupied new construction projects will continue to be inspected.  However, all construction personnel must vacate the area to be inspected and must leave the approved Permit documents and Plans at the inspection site for the Inspectors’ use. If the building to be inspected is closed in, construction personnel are advised to open all windows and doors to air out the building prior to the inspection.

The Building Department has begun a temporary system of electronic documentation in lieu of required interior inspections of Occupied Buildings. 

If you are the owner or contractor of a project that needs an inspection of the interior of an Occupied Building, please make your request for each inspection as follows:

First, send an email request for photo documentation in lieu of required field inspections, with your Permit Number, to the appropriate Subcode Official, (Fire, Electrical, Plumbing/Mechanical, or Building).

• Building Subcode Official – Rich Perlman (rperlman@hillsborough-nj.org)
• Assistant Building Subcode Official – Chris Huddy (chuddy@hillsborough-nj.org)
• Fire Subcode Official – Ed Allatt (eallatt@hillsborough-nj.org) 
• Plumbing/Mechanical Subcode Official – Frank Lukacs (flukacs@hillsborough-nj.org)
• Electrical Subcode Official – Peter Palmeri (ppalmeri@hillsborough-nj.org)

1. The Subcode Official will respond with a specific list of areas they will need photo evidence of, specific to your project and inspection type.  
2. The photos emailed to the Subcode Official must include a scanned copy or photo of a completed, “Affidavit in Lieu of Required Inspection Due to COVID-19” with an original signature applied to it. Each photo emailed should be labeled with a very brief description of the details provided.  

When this submittal is received and reviewed by the Subcode Official or Inspector, they will schedule a time to call you to discuss your results. Please understand that not all inspections will lend themselves to this option and the Subcode Official will make that determination.

Unoccupied new construction projects will continue to be inspected.  However, all construction personnel must vacate the area to be inspected and must leave the approved permit documents and plans at the inspection site for the Inspectors’ use.  If the building to be inspected is closed in, construction personnel are advised to open all windows and doors to air out the building prior to the inspection.

If your inspection does not require the inspector to come into the structure you will need to leave all Permit documents outside accessible to the inspector. Should there be inclement weather please place documents in a container sealed from the elements. The inspector will leave the pass or not approved sticker with the documents. In cases where there is an email address associated with the permit the inspector may also send an inspection report of the findings as well. If you require clarification of any not approved inspections please reach out to our inspectors via their email address found on the Hillsborough Township Website.

If your solar project has passed all final inspections, the Certificate of Approval will be mailed out to the property owner within 7 business days.

At this time please contact either Lisa Cassidy (lcassidy@hillsborough-nj.org) or Sara McLarnon (smclarnon@hillsborough-nj.org) via email to check the status of your CO. They will provide you with further guidance to make sure your project is successfully closed out.

Please contact Donna Daugherty (ddaughtery@hillsborough-nj.org) via email. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our staff for assistance.