Deck Permits in New Jersey: What Homeowners Need to Know

Building a new deck in New Jersey? You’ll need more than just tools and materials — you’ll need a permit. At C-JAM Construction, we walk homeowners through this process every week. Here’s what to expect if you’re planning a deck project anywhere in the Garden State.

Planning a deck in New Jersey? We handle permits for you.

Most homeowners get stuck or delayed at the permit stage. We help design your deck, prepare the drawings, and guide you through zoning approvals and inspections so your project stays on track.

👉 Get a Free Deck & Permit Consultation

✔ Licensed & insured in NJ

✔ Experienced with local zoning & inspections

✔ Serving Gloucester, Camden & Salem Counties

Do I Need a Permit for My Deck?

Yes — all new deck builds in New Jersey require a permit. Before you can apply for a construction permit, you must first obtain zoning approval from your local building department.

That means submitting a plot plan, site plan, or survey of your property that clearly shows the footprint of your proposed deck — including its distance from all property lines. Each town enforces its own setback requirements, and zoning approval ensures your deck is positioned legally before construction begins. Towns like Haddonfield require extra zoning approval if you are in their historic district. For larger municipalities like Washington Township or Mullica Hill expect longer wait times for zoning and permit plans to be reviewed and approved.

💡 Pro Tip: You don’t always need a traditional surveyor for this step. Services like MySitePlan.com can create a digital site plan for most residential properties for under $200, often within 24–48 hours. This can save weeks of waiting and thousands in surveyor fees. However, not every municipality in South Jersey will accept an unstamped site plan, so homeowners should confirm with their local zoning office before ordering.

Who Handles the Paperwork?

At C-JAM Construction, we handle all the drawings and permit applications for our clients.We fill out our contractor information, prepare detailed deck plans, and sign off as the responsible party for construction.The homeowner’s job is to drop off the packet and pay the permit fees to the township.

Your permit package will typically include:

• A construction permit application

• A building subcode application

• Deck drawings showing framing, materials, and dimensions

For a full breakdown of what happens next, check out our post on What to Expect During a Deck Build.

How Long Does It Take?

Once submitted, your application is in the hands of the local construction office.Some towns process deck permits within 10–14 days, while others can take 3–4 weeks depending on workload.

Most deck designs follow standard code-compliant practices, which helps avoid complications — but submitting a complete package (including your site plan or survey) is the best way to prevent delays.

What Causes Delays?

Common reasons towns reject or delay deck permits include:

• Missing plot plan or site plan

• Incomplete contractor or homeowner information

• Unpaid municipal fees or back taxes

• Incorrectly marked property setbacks

Submitting everything correctly the first time keeps your project on track.

How Much Does a Permit Cost?

The cost of a deck permit in New Jersey is set by your local construction office and is usually based on a percentage of the total project cost.Smaller decks might only cost around $75–$150 to permit, while larger or more complex builds can range from $300–$600, depending on materials and design.

What Happens If I Skip the Permit?

Plenty of people try to avoid permits — and it can cost them thousands.If you get caught (and you probably will), the town can issue fines, halt your project, or require you to tear the deck down.

At C-JAM Construction, we never skip permits. Period. It protects both the homeowner and the contractor — and ensures your project passes inspections safely and legally.

What Inspections Will Be Done?

Most towns require at least three inspections:

• Footing inspection – Verifies depth and width before pouring concrete

• Framing inspection – Checks beams, joists, and hardware before decking goes on

• Final inspection – Confirms rails, stairs, and finished structure meet code

We never request final payment until final inspection is passed.

Pro Tip for Homeowners

Start early. If you want to build in June, get your site plan and documents in order by March or April.Traditional surveys can take 30–60 days and cost up to $3,000, while online site plans can be completed in just a few days.

Early preparation ensures you’re ready when the weather breaks — and keeps your project ahead of the spring rush.

Bottom Line

Getting a deck permit in New Jersey isn’t as intimidating as it sounds — it just takes preparation. At C-JAM Construction, we help homeowners navigate every step, from drawings and applications to final inspections.

👉 Visit our Decks page to see past projects and learn more about our building process.

If you’re ready to start your project or just need clarity on what your township requires, we’re happy to help.

📞 609-302-0249🌐 www.cjamconstruction.com🧾 Serving South Jersey — Gloucester, Camden & Salem Counties