Freehold Borough Offices

51 West Main Street

Hall of Records Building

1 East Main Street

36 West Main Street

36 West Main Street

A. Obtaining The Required Approvals For A New Business In A
n Existing Commercial Or Office Building

1. Make an appointment with the Borough Zoning Officer. His office is located at 51 West Main Street, in the Borough Municipal Building. He will give you the forms that are necessary to apply for the various approvals and permits that are necessary to open your business and to explain the process to you. His telephone number is 462-4903.

Zoning Permit

2. Apply for a Zoning Permit. The Zoning Application (a copy of which is attached) is to be filed with the Zoning Office. The fee for this Application is $25.00 and there is an approximate 3 day waiting period after you file for a determination of your Application. Application forms can be obtained at the Zoning Office in the Borough Municipal Building. In general, this Application is to determine if your business will comply with the Zoning Ordinance and whether zoning approval can be granted without additional documentation or approvals. It is important that you fully answer all questions. If you fail to do so, the Zoning Officer can only rely on what you tell him on the application. If later he finds that what you doing doesn’t conform with your application, he may take action to prevent you from commencing or continuing your business until you comply with all Municipal requirements, or he may require changes in what you have constructed.

Zoning Application Denial

3. If your Zoning Application is denied...depending on the nature of the denial, you will need to:

A. Make application to the Planning Board for Site Plan Approval or for a Site Plan Waiver, or

B. Make application to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for one or more Variances, as well as possibly for site plan approval.

The Planning and Zoning Board Secretary is located on the upper level of the Municipal building and can be reached at 462-7057

If a variance is required, the Planning and Zoning Board Secretary will provide you with the necessary forms and fee schedule for filing your application. The Planning Board meets twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday and the Zoning Board meets once a month on the 4th Tuesday of the month. Since these are administrative proceedings at public hearings where legal and technical requirements must be met to get approvals, you may need, or wish to obtain, the services of an attorney to help you. If site plan approval is required, you may need to have a licensed professional engineer and/or New Jersey licensed architect prepare your plans.

Certificate of Occupancy

4. For an existing building or structure a continued Certificate of Occupancy Inspection must be applied for and a certificate evidencing compliance with local zoning, health and safety codes must be obtained. Application is made at the Building Department in the Borough Municipal Building. The inspection of the building or office to be occupied must show that it is in conformance with the Property Maintenance Code. If the business is a Change of Use, the entire structure may have to be upgraded to meet all Building and Fire Code requirements for the new use as per the State of New Jersey Uniform Construction Code. This is a State of New Jersey requirement. The fee for Continued Certificate of Occupancy Inspection is $35.00 and there is approximately a 3 day waiting period for inspection and determination.

Special Licenses

5. Special Licenses may be required depending on your type of business. The Zoning Office will advise you whether you need to meet with the Borough Clerk to discuss these requirements. For example, operator’s licenses are required for Food Handlers, Billiard Parlors, Theaters, Liquor (various types), Amusement Devices, Purchasing Used Jewelry and Property, etc. Fees vary, per ordinance, by type of license. The Borough Clerk’s Office is also in the Borough Municipal Building.

Building Permits

6. Building Permits are needed only if alterations are required or made to the building or space to be occupied. Fees vary with the type of Permit, cost of construction and size of addition or alteration. The waiting period for permits varies from 48 hours to 20 business days depending on the extent of the plan review process. We urge you to make an appointment to talk to the Construction Official early in the planning process about your building plans. His office is also located at 51 West Main Street in the Borough Municipal Building.

A. Major alterations and additions require Architect’s sealed plans. This will be determined by the appropriate Subcode and Construction Officials. We urge you to make an appointment with the Building Inspector early in the building process so that he can arrange for you to meet with these officials.

B. Building, electrical, plumbing, fire and elevator compliance inspections will be required while the construction is being done (These are the major Subcode Officials).

C. After all of the work is completed, Final Inspections and approvals by the five appropriate Subcode Officials are required to make certain that all of the building, health, and safety code requirements have been properly completed.

D. Before you can occupy the building or office, you must be issued a Final Certificate of Occupancy. This will be issued by the Borough Construction Official after all Subcode Officials have approved your construction.

Health Inspections

7. If the business deals with foods, such as food stores, restaurants, etc. you must apply to the Freehold Borough Health Department for special inspections and permits When you meet with the Construction Official or the Zoning Officer he will tell you whether or not this will be required and, if this is a requirement, who to see and where their office is located. The Health Department must review and approve construction plans when these types of business uses are proposed

A. Contact the Health Officer early in the planning stage to discuss the layout of new restaurants or stores and necessary equipment for operation. The Board of Health Office is located at 54 Hudson Street in the Borough (telephone: 780-1438).

B. Final Inspections should be scheduled just before the establishment is ready to open, food should be stocked, and equipment operations.

C. The Licensing Year is from July 1st to June 30th, and food establishments are inspected at least once yearly.

Sign Permits

8. Sign Permits are required of business owners for exterior signs and any interior sign that may be viewed from the outside that is used to advertise the business conducted within the structure. Sign application must be filed with the zoning officer, with a drawing of the sign, the size of the sign, a description of the sign materials, and stating how many signs are requested and specifically where they are to be located. When you speak with the Zoning Officer early in the planning or conceptual stage, discuss any desired signs with him. If the Zoning Officer denies you a permit for the sign or signs that you requested, you may apply to the Planning Board for Approval. The Permit fee for signs is $.75 per square foot, with a minimum fee of $25.00. If Planning Board review is not required, there will be approximately a 3 day waiting period for issuance of permits. If signs are thereafter modified or altered, new applications and approvals must be obtained from the Zoning Officer. Annual Sign Permit renewals are required. Registration fees and inspections are a minimum of $10.00.

Fire Inspections

9. Annual Fire Code Compliance Inspections and fees are required for each business. Local Inspection fees are $25.00 annually. Certain Life Hazard Uses are regulated by the New Jersey State Fire Bureau as set forth in the Uniform Fire Code. These fees are regulated and collected by the State Fire Bureau. These fees vary for the different types of Life Hazard Uses.

Maintenance Inspection

10. There is an Annual Property Maintenance Inspection also made to determine whether there are any continuing health, fire, or other safety hazards on the premises. These inspections are conducted by the Code Officer.

Elevator Inspection

11. All elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters and similar devices are required to be inspected. Fees for these inspections are required and vary as to the type of device involved. These inspections are conducted by the State of New Jersey. If you need help in locating the required state agency, the Code Enforcement Office can provide you with the information.

Zoning Application

1. Apply for Zoning Permit - See A.2 and A.3 Preceding.

Site Plan

2. Make application to the Planning Board for Site Plan Approval, or for Site Plan Waiver. Application for Site Plan Approval must also be filed with to the Monmouth County Planning Board. The Site Plan must include an up-to-date property survey, building layout, parking and loading zones, drainage, landscaping, exterior lighting, signs, etc. The plans must be prepared and sealed by a New Jersey licensed professional engineer or architect. There is approximately a 60 day waiting period for public hearing and approval. If the proposed use is not a permitted use, the same procedure is followed before the Zoning Board of Adjustment, together with the applications for the required variances. Check with the Borough Engineer’s office whether bonding of improvements is required, or whether any other and/or a developers agreement item is deficient.

Building Permit

3. After Planning Board or Zoning Board Approval has been obtained, apply to the Building Department for a Building Permit. Fees vary with type of permit, cost of construction and size of addition or alteration. Waiting period for permits varies from 2 days to 20 business days depending on the extent of the construction plan review process. See A.6.A and A.6.B preceding.

Certificate of Occupancy

4. Final Inspection on work performed. A Final Certificate of Occupancy will be issued after all work, including on site and off site work that was approved by the Planning or Zoning Board is complete.

Special Licenses

5. Special Licenses - See A.5 preceding.

Health Inspection

6. Food Stores and Restaurants - See A.7 preceding.

Sign Permits

7. Signs - See A.3 and A.8 preceding.

Fire Inspections

8. Annual Fire Inspections required - See A.9 preceding.

Maintenance Inspections

9. Annual Property Maintenance Inspections - See A. 10 preceding.

1. Apply for Zoning Permit - See A.1 and A.2 preceding.

Site Plan

2. Depending on the extent of the alteration or addition or if the business use is going to change, you may have to apply to the Planning Board for Site Plan Approval or to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for Variances. See B.2 preceding.

Building Permits

3. Alterations and construction require proper building construction permits. Fees vary with type of permit, cost of construction and size of addition or alteration. See A.6.A,B,C and D preceding.

Fire Retrofit Codes

4. Existing structures are to be upgraded to meet Fire Codes as regulated by the State of New Jersey, Bureau of Fire Safety, and are enforced by the Bureau of Fire Prevention. Appropriate construction permits must be obtained to perform this upgrade. You are urged to meet with the Construction and Fire Code Officials early in your planning stage so that they can assist you in determining what, if any, upgrades will be necessary.

Sign Permits

5. Signs - See A.8 preceding.

Fire Inspections

6. Annual Fire Inspections required - See A.9 preceding.

Maintenance Inspections

7. Annual Property Maintenance Inspection See A.10 preceding.

3 Day Waiting Period; $25.00 Fee

Site Plan and Variances

60 Day Waiting Period; Planning Board Administrative Officer will provide fee information

Certificate of Occupancy Inspection

3 Day Waiting Period; $35.00 Fee

Special Licenses

Fees vary as per ordinance by type of license

Building Permit

Waiting Period 48 hours to 20 days depending on the extent to plan review process; Fee Varies

Health Inspections

As Applicable

Fire Retrofit Code

As Applicable

Sign Permit (Per Sign)

3 Day Waiting Period; $.75 per square foot, $25.00 minimum; $10.00 minimum for Annual Registration

Fire Inspection

$25.00 for Annual Inspections For Life Hazard Uses-Fee Varies

Maintenance Inspection

No Fees

Elevator Inspections

Regulated & Inspected by State of New Jersey. Fees vary depending on device or devices involved.

Zoning Permit; Special Licenses; Sign Permits

2. Building Department*

Building Permits, Certificate of Occupancy; Elevator, Escalator and Similar Device Inspections

3. Building Subcode Officials*

Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire, Elevator Compliance Inspections.

4. Construction Official*

Building Permits; Final Certificate of Occupancy; Fire Retrofit Codes

5. Health Officer

Health Inspections, Food Service Inspections

6. Zoning/Planning Board Administrative Office

Site Plan or Sub-division Approval; Zoning Application Denial; Sign Permit Denial, Variances from Land Use code requirements; Conditional use approvals

7. Borough Administrator and Business Advocate

Development plans for new major construction

8. Borough Clerk

Licensing requirements, copies of municipal ordinances, sign and zoning regulations.

* All are located in Code Enforcement Office in the Municipal Building

The Freehold Center Partnership operates Freehold Special Improvement District.

The Partnership is operated primarily by those who own or , operate commercial property and small businesses in Freehold Center. Although several of the members are also residents of the Borough, the Partnership’s efforts since February, 1990 have been funded primarily by contributions from the local and business community, a special improvement district tax assessment and special events to insure the continuing economic vitality of the Center.

The Partnership is NOT an arm of local or county government! While we strive to work with both to coordinate their resources with local business to improve parking, traffic and public safety in the Center, we are a private non-profit, non-political advocate for the interests of the business community. We work closely with government to set priorities, allocate resources and coordinate efforts which meet the concerns of business and property owners in the district.

As a member of the Freehold Center Partnership, your interests and concerns regarding public safety, parking, litter and small business development will be represented in three ways. First, small business owners and commercial property owners constitute 70% of the trustees elected by you to operate the Partnership. Second, the partnership’s committees, which have the responsibility for identifying and solving problems which confront you daily, are headed by district members. Third, and perhaps most important, the Partnership employs a full-time business advocate who, much like a shopping mall manager, is dedicated to serving your interests as commercial property or business owners.

All business owners and commercial property owners located in Freehold Center are automatically members of the Partnership, and each is eligible to run for election to the Board, and vote to elect its Board of Trustees to approve the budget and the annual proposed assessment. We welcome you as a partner in jointly developing our common future.