Brick Proposes Increase for Fire Inspection Fees, Permit and Penalties

A fire heavily damaged two homes on Bay Way in Brick Township, N.J., Sept. 27, 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Brick Township is proposing widespread increases to fire inspection, permit and site plan review fees, along with higher penalties for blocking fire access routes and interfering with fire protection systems, under an ordinance proposed last month which will be up for adoption later in July.

The ordinance revises fees, permit and inspection requirements, fire safety provisions, enforcement and penalties. It affects non-life-hazard uses, multi-tenant buildings, development reviews, event standbys and certain new or clarified rules for alarms, helistops, mobile food trucks and self-storage facilities, according to the text of the document. The measure was introduced on first reading June 23 by the township council. It is scheduled for second reading and a public hearing at 7 p.m. July 21. If approved after the hearing and published, the changes would take effect immediately.

Councilwoman Melissa Travers said the changes were requested by the township’s fire subcode official, adding that the code was originally adopted in 1985 and last updated in 2016.

---

Get Brick News Updates Daily Your email address:* Please enter all required fields Correct invalid entries

The most significant change to current fire protection ordinance will come in the form of fee increases, including annual registration and inspection fees for most commercial and multi-tenant buildings, which would rise as follows:

• 0–1,000 sq. ft.: $45 to $75
• 1,001–2,000 sq. ft.: $55 to $90
• 2,001–2,500 sq. ft.: $60 to $95
• 2,501–3,500 sq. ft.: $70 to $100
• 3,501–4,500 sq. ft.: $85 to $110
• 4,501–5,000 sq. ft.: $90 to $125
• 5,001–6,000 sq. ft.: $95 to $150
• 6,001–7,000 sq. ft.: $100 to $170
• 7,001–7,500 sq. ft.: $120 to $180
• 7,501–8,000 sq. ft.: $130 to $200
• 8,001–9,000 sq. ft.: $135 to $220
• 9,001–10,000 sq. ft.: $140 to $225
• 10,001–11,000 sq. ft.: $160 to $235
• 11,001–12,000 sq. ft.: $185 to $250

For buildings over 12,000 sq. ft., the fee structure would shift to an additional $15 per 1,000 square feet. Buildings with two or more units sharing common areas would see the per-unit fee rise from $35 to $40, with an added $20 fee for each additional unit in qualifying businesses.

Site plan and subdivision review fees would increase: minor site plans from $140 to $180; major site plans from $209 to $225; minor subdivisions from $100 to $125; major subdivisions from $250 to $300; abridged reviews from $100 to $125; and re-reviews or re-inspections from $75 to $80 each.

Nonscheduled smoke detector and alarm certificate inspections would cost more: $90 (up from $80) for appointments 5 to 9 business days from contact, and $161 (up from $130) for those within 1–4 business days. Re-inspection fees would remain $30. A new $85 fee would apply to Type 1 permits requiring after-hours inspections.

Standby fees for fire department apparatus and personnel at events would mostly rise but include two reductions: fire engine with crew from $200 to $400 per hour; ladder truck with crew from $300 to $400; rescue unit with crew from $250 to $350; certified fire inspector from $50 to $100 per hour (two-hour minimum). Brush unit and fire boat with crew would drop from $400 to $350 per hour. Township- and school-sponsored public events would remain exempt.

Variance requests would increase from $30 to $45. A new $200 annual permit would be required for helistops, which would be inspected yearly.

Other changes include:

• Self-storage facilities would face differentiated fees: full scheduled rate for structures with interior access to units; 50% of the scheduled rate for those without interior access. Additional buildings on the same premises would be charged half the designated fee.
• A new semi-annual Mobile Food Truck Type 1 permit would cost $200 and cover multiple events across two six-month sessions (January–June and July–December), with at least three business days’ notice required before each event.
• An exterior audio/visual device would be required for fire alarms in a location approved by the bureau chief.
• If a responsible party fails to arrive within 30 minutes after notification of a fire alarm, sprinkler activation or other emergency, standby fees would apply for the time fire department or inspection personnel remain on scene.
• Fines for obstructing a fire zone, fire lane, fire area, drafting location or hydrant with a vehicle would rise from $50 to $125 per offense.
• Interference, blocking or tampering with fire alarms, suppression or detection systems would carry a $50-per-day fine per violation, or a mandatory $200 per day if it occurs during an actual alarm.
• Recreational fire permits would cost $25 for up to two fires; Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups would be exempt from fees but still required to obtain permits.
• The previous general penalty of up to $1,000 per day for other violations is marked as reserved.

The township’s Bureau of Fire Safety would continue to enforce the code. The ordinance also repeals “inconsistent prior provisions.”

A public hearing and second vote is set to occur at the council’s July 21, 2026 meeting, which will be held at 7 p.m. at the township municipal complex.