Frequently Asked Questions
This page lists the most frequently asked questions and answers for the individual Departments in Howell Township. Please select a question below to review the answer for the corresponding question. You can scroll back to the top of the page to review other questions.
Construction Code
1. Can I replace my roof if it is leaking
2. How fast can I receive my Certificate of Occupancy
3. Do I need a permit for replacing sheetrock
4. Do I need a guardrail on my deck/porch
5. Can I do electrical work on my own house
6. Can I do my own electrical work for my above ground pool
7. Do I have to remove my oil tank if I am converting from oil to gas
8. Does an alarm system in a house require an electrical permit
9. Do I need a permit for replacing my water heater
10. When does a Plumbing Technical section need to be signed by a NJ licensed master plumber
11. Do I have to be licensed to run gas piping
12. Other than new construction, when are Carbon Monoxide Alarm required to be installed
13. What receipts are required before a Certificate of Approval can be issued for the abandonment and or removal of a fuel oil tank
Department of Senior Services
1. What services does the Department of Senior Services provide
2. Who is eligible to participate at the Senior Center
3. Is there a cost to join the Senior Center
4. How can I get to the Senior Center if I don't drive
5. How do I become a member of the Howell Senior Center
6. May I still be entitled to assistance if I am a senior or I have a senior relative who may not be able to come to the Senior Center
7. What volunteer Opportunities do you offer
8. How may I get more information on the Department of Senior Services
Land Use
1. Does a fence replacement require a permit
2. Is a permit required for paver patio, concrete patio, sheds or retaining walls
3. Is a permit required for tree removal
4. Can a commercial vehicle be parked on residential property
5. Are portable sports equipment permitted to be place within the street Right-of-Way
Recreation Department
1. How do you get to the Recreation Building?
2. What is the phone number & location to the Manasquan Reservoir?
3.How do you go about getting fingerprinted?
4. What form of payment do you accept?
5. Do you have any programs for toddlers?
6. How do I join your email list to receive upcoming announcements about programs and/or events?
7. Where are your parks located?
Land Use
1. Does a fence replacement require a permit
Yes, a Short Form Land Use Certificate must be completed and returned to the Land Use Office along with a survey reflecting the location of the fencing. In the event that the fencing secures a pool a building permit is also required.
2. Is a permit required for paver patio, concrete patio, sheds or retaining walls
Yes, a Land Use Certificate must be completed and returned to the Land Use Office along with the survey reflecting the location of the addition for approval. It possibly may require the approval of both the Engineering and the Building Department approval.
3. Is a permit required for tree removal
Prior to the removal of a tree or trees a survey must be submitted to the land use office in order that it may be determined as to whether a Tree Removal Application must be submitted and approved by the Land Use Department.
4. Can a commercial vehicle be parked on residential property
A commercial vehicle may be parked on residential property providing that the vehicle is the means of transportation to and from work.
5. Are portable sports equipment permitted to be place within the street Right-of-Way
The portable sports equipment is permitted to be placed within the street Right-of-Way, but must be removed between November 30th to March 31st. View the Township Code here.
Department of Senior Services
1. What services does the Department of Senior Services provide
The Department of Senior Services offers recreational activities, physical fitness, education, a nutrition program-site and to homebound Seniors, case management services, and transportation to our Senior Center and to our outside programs and trips.
2. Who is eligible to participate at the Senior Center
Our center is open to any resident of Howell Township who is age 60 or older and who is capable of functioning independently.
3. Is there a cost to join the Senior Center
There is no membership fee. Interfaith Neighbors, Inc., the organization that provides nutritionally balanced lunches on site and to the homebound, requests a $2.50 donation per meal.
4. How can I get to the Senior Center if I don't drive
Our buses will transport you free of charge to our building and to any of our outside events. For information on our transportation services, call our Transportation Coordinator at 732-938-4500, ext. 2551.
5. How do I become a member of the Howell Senior Center
You may come in and register Monday Through Friday between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM. Bring identification with you to show that you are a Howell Resident age 60 or older (such as a driver's licence).
6. May I still be entitled to assistance if I am a senior or I have a senior relative who may not be able to come to the Senior Center
Those seniors who are unable to come to the Center may be eligible for the Meals on Wheels program. In addition our Social Worker is available to seniors that come to the Center as well as those who cannot leave their homes and who require a home visit and/or who need information and assistance for appropriate programs and services.
7. What volunteer Opportunities do you offer
We always need need people to deliver Meals on Wheels to our frail elderly clients in their homes. Since we also serve daily lunches at our senior center, we need people to help us prepare and serve the meals. Other volunteer opportunities include teaching computer classes, hosting a party or special event, and holding a collection drive for non-perishable items for our Just In Thyme Senior Cupboard.
8. How may I get more information on the Department of Senior Services
Call us at 732-938-4500 Ext. 2550 and we will be happy to answer your questions. We can also mail you an information packet, which includes the current copy of our monthly newsletter, The Senior Gazette.
Construction Code
1. Can I replace my roof if it is leaking
Yes, but 24 hr notice to this office is required and a permit must be applied for within 72 hrs.
2. How fast can I receive my Certificate of Occupancy
10 (ten) business days is the state regulated time frame in which the building department has to process the certificate.
3. Do I need a permit for replacing sheetrock
Maybe, A permit is required only if you are replacing 25% or more of any room.
4. Do I need a guardrail on my deck/porch
Maybe, A guardrail is required only if the floor surface is more than 30” frome the adjacent grade.
5. Can I do electrical work on my own house
Yes, A homeowner can do electrical work on his/her own home that he/she occupies.
6. Can I do my own electrical work for my above ground pool
Yes, A homeowner can do electrical work on his/her own property that he/she occupies.
7. Do I have to remove my oil tank if I am converting from oil to gas
Yes, A tank removal permit is required simultaneously with a furnace/boiler permit.
8. Does an alarm system in a house require an electrical permit
Yes, Brinks, Slomins and similar alarm systems do require an electrical permit.
9. Do I need a permit for replacing my water heater
Yes, If it is gas fired you will need a Fire and Plumbing permit. If it is an electric hot water heater, you will need an Electrical and Plumbing permit.
10. When does a Plumbing Technical section need to be signed by a NJ licensed master plumber
The homeowner is allowed to sign the plumbing technical section provided he/she prepared the plans and is doing the work his/herself exclusively on his/her own private residence, otherwise the section shall be signed and sealed by a NJ licensed master plumber, and work shall be completed by same master plumber.
11. Do I have to be licensed to run gas piping
If you are a contractor doing work for a homeowner, a NJ master plumbers license or a Home Improvement Contractors registration # will be required or a homeowner can do the work provided he/she prepared his/her own plans and will be doing the work exclusively on his/her own private residence.
NOTE: (CSST) Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing requires the installer to be certified.
12. Other than new construction, when are Carbon Monoxide Alarm required to be installed
The Rehabilitation Subcode of the Uniform Construction Code requires any repair, renovation or alteration to a residential use group that contains a fuel burning appliance or having an attached garage shall install a Carbon Monoxide Alarm.
13. What receipts are required before a Certificate of Approval can be issued for the abandonment and or removal of a fuel oil tank
There is the potential for 3 separate type receipts necessary for final
approval on the abandonment/removal of a fuel oil tank;
a) A receipt to show where the remaining oil left in the tank has been disposed of or transferred to.
b) A receipt to show where the sludge found at the bottom of most oil tanks has been disposed of or received by. Sludge is a hazardous material and must be disposed of at a site authorized to receive it.
c) A receipt to show where the oil tank has been disposed of or received by. Most cleaned oil tanks can be scraped at most recycling yards.
Recreation Department
1. How do you get to the Recreation Building?
From North Howell:
- Take 9 South (take jug handle toward Aldrich Rd. East)
- Take Aldrich Rd. East and drive until the end
- Make left onto Old Tavern Rd.
- Take Old Tavern Rd. and make a left onto Preventorium Rd.
- Make first right into Howell Township Administrative Offices Complex.
- Bear left at first driveway and Recreation Building is first building on the left!
From Ramtown Area
- Get onto Herbertsville Rd. and drive to the end (toward 547).
- Stay straight (Herbertsville Rd. becomes Old Tavern Rd.)
- Take Old Tavern Rd. and make a right onto Preventorium Rd.
- Make first right into Howell Township Administrative Offices Complex.
- Bear left at first driveway and Recreation Building is first building on the left!
From South Howell
- Take 9 North
- Make right onto Aldrich Rd. East (Gulf station on the right) and drive until the end
- Make left onto Old Tavern Rd.
- Take Old Tavern Rd. and make a left onto Preventorium Rd.
- Make first right into Howell Township Administrative Offices Complex.
- Bear left at first driveway and Recreation Building is first building on the left!
2.What is the phone number & location to the Manasquan Reservoir?
Environmental Center
331 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell 07731
(732) 751-9453
Visitor Center
311 Windeler Road, Howell 07731
(732) 919-0996
3.How do you go about getting fingerprinted?
- Go to Kidsafe's home page at: http://www.ksrc.us/index.html
- Once there click on "Sagem Morpho Fingerprint Procedure"
- You will then be guided through the process.
- If you have additional questions, contact Kidsafe directly at (732) 643-0100
4. What form of payment do you accept?
Cash, Check or Money Order
5. Do you have any programs for toddlers?
We have 2 programs
1) "Music Together" program for children ages 6 months - 5 years old
2) "Wee Play" program for children ages 2 - 4 years old.
6. How do I join your email list to receive upcoming announcements about programs and/or events?
- Simply visit our website: www.twp.howell.nj.us and click on "Government / Departments."
- Then click on "Parks & Recreation"
- Go to our home page and click on the revolving green button and you will received emails about present and future programs and events.
7. Where are your parks located?
- Simply visit our website: www.twp.howell.nj.us and click on "Government / Departments."
- Then click on "Parks & Recreation"
- Then click on the "Recreational Facilities/Parks" button and you can view all of our parks. Each park includes their amenities, size and location. Additionally, you can view pictures of the site.