No Permit, No Problem: Manalapan Amnesty Program

The Manalapan Construction Department, along with the Township Committee, are offering an amnestly program for all previously completed residential work that was constructed without the required permits.

What is the purpose of this amnesty program? The township wants to make sure that all of the work constructed without permits is safe and causes no harm to residents.

This amnesty program allows residents who never got permits to apply for the appropriate permits without being subjected to future penalties.

The kinds of construction permits that need to be addressed include (but are not limited to):

• decks
• basements
• raised patios
• stanchions
• gazebos
• pool houses
• barbeques
• hot water heaters
• furnaces
• air conditioning
• high hats 
• alarms

So, what's the process?

First, all homeowners who have constructed something without a permit must apply for all necessary permits now and get all proper inspections within the code. For a full list of permitted items, please visit the Township Web site underneath the Construction Department.

To join the amnesty program, all permits must be applied for prior to any discovery by the inspectors. Violations will not be issued to any home owner if the home owner takes advantage of the amnesty program during the amnesty period which commences on April 1 and expires on October 31.

If a resident has completed construction without getting the appropriate permits and do not take advantage of the amnesty program will be subject to violations.

It is also important to note that if your house is up for sale it is necessary for the home and its adjacent structures to be inspected and permitted at the time the home is sold. Therefore, taking advantage of this program now is a great opportunity so that you can avoid last minute problems and penalties.

If your home has zoning non-conformities, proper zoning permits will need to be acquired. Futhermore, taxes will be assessed based on any work that has been completed on your home.

Contractors and commercial properties are not eligible for the amnesty program.

For more information, please call the Construction Department at 732-446-8302