Frequently Asked Questions

The reason is that the town ordinance (18-1.3) mandates it from the water dept., only the Township Engineer has the authority of approving alternative materials.  

Township of Fairfield, NJ Water (ecode360.com)

Revised 5/24

• Above Ground Pool Requirements (PDF)
• In Ground Pool Requirements (PDF)

Revised 4/24

• Demolition Requirements (PDF)

Revised 4/24

• Generator Requirements (PDF)

Revised 4/24

• Permit Fees (PDF)

Revised 4/24

• When Will Permit Be Ready (PDF)

Revised 4/24

• Inspections Required (PDF)

Revised 4/24

The first year (Performance Standards, Mechanical, Electrical, Appliances, Equipment, and Major Structural), year two (Mechanical, Electrical, And Major Structural), year three thru ten (Major Structural).  

https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/regulations/Chapter-45A-Subchapters-16-17-and-17A-Home-Improvement-Practices-Home-Improvement-Contractors-Home-Elevation-Contractors.pdf

https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/codreg/pdf_regs/njac_5_25.pdf

 Revised 4/24

Prefer to vote in person and look for your polling location? If so, please visit the New Jersey Division of Election Website.

Transportation

The Township of Fairfield's Recreation Bus will be available on Election Day for senior residents to be transported to the polling site. Please call 973-882-2700, ext. 2510 between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm. Monday through Friday to schedule.

Please call the Fairfield Municipal Clerk's Office with questions at 973-882-2700, ext. 2501.

Election Resources & News

Serve as an Essex County Board Worker, or volunteer to be a Challenger.

Please view the following instructional video.

You must include your New Jersey driver's license number or your non-driver ID number on your voter registration form.  If you don't have either of these numbers, you must include a copy of your ID with your form. If you forget, you'll need to provide ID the first time you vote in person or by absentee ballot. Acceptable forms of ID include: a driver's license or other photo identification that shows your name OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and New Jersey address.

You don't need to provide ID if you've already voted in New Jersey at least once. If you're voting for the first time in New Jersey, and you did not include an identifying number (such as your driver's license number or your SSN on your voter registration form), then you must include a COPY of one of the following with your application: a driver's license or other photo identification that shows your name OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and New Jersey address.

Absentee Ballots are available on Election Day, under emergency circumstances. Usually, if a voter becomes ill on Election Day or the night before, an authorized messenger can obtain an absentee ballot by court order. Contact your County Clerk (see above) if you have questions about emergency absentee ballots.

You can use the Application for Vote by Mail Ballot to put yourself on a permanent absentee voter list. You can request all elections in the current calendar year, all future November general elections, or both. (The general elections take place in even number years - 2010, 2012, etc - and include the presidential and congressional elections.) It's best to submit a new application every January to ensure that you'll receive an absentee ballot for all elections in which you are eligible to vote.

No. Once you apply for an absentee ballot, you must vote by absentee ballot. You cannot change your mind and vote in person.

Yes. You can download the application from the webpage.

Yes. The application form, "Non Residential Paving and Restriping Permit",  is in the list that can be downloaded, filled out and brought to Engineering.

A maximum of 5 cubic yards one time only may be deposited. A permit from the Engineering department is required prior to the placement of any fill, mulch, or topsoil.

Prior to the placement of fill, mulch, or topsoil a soil moving/regrading permit from the Engineering Department must be obtained.

The Sidewalks are the responsibility of the homeowner to keep clean and to maintain in good condition. If you need to replace the sidewalk you will need a permit for that. That application can be downloaded from this webpage.

You have to fill out an application for an Impervious Surface  permit. That can be downloaded from this webpage.

Yes, as long as you do not exceed the allowable impervious surface.

Any surface that does not have the ability to infiltrate water back into the ground, ie: roof,  pool, asphalt, concrete, or paver driveway, walkway, patio, shed, etc

35% for residential zones and 55% for most industrial and commercial zones.

Yes. On February 4, 2008, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection conditionaly certified the 2006 Essex County Solid Waste Management Plan Update. The details from this can be obtained at the Engineering Office.

The Fairfield Municipal Court is located at 230 Fairfield Road in Fairfield, NJ. Free parking is located behind the building.

The Violations Bureau is open Monday through Thursday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and Friday 8:00am to 1:00pm

Fairfield Municipal Court meets every Thursday at 12:30pm

The phone number for the Fairfield Municipal Court is 973-882-2700 ext. 1 and the fax number is 973-882-2714.

Certain tickets can be paid through the Violations Bureau while others will require you to appear before the judge. If your ticket is checked "Court Appearance Required" or the penalty amount is not listed on the statewide or local violations bureau schedules, you must appear in Court on the date listed on the complaint. You can also check this by visiting the website listed on the back of the ticket. It will tell you if you need to appear in Court or can just pay the ticket.

You can pay your ticket in one of three ways:

1. Visit the Violations Bureau located at 230 Fairfield Road, Fairfield, NJ 07004

2. Mail your payment to the Violations Bureau using the same address (above).

3. Pay you ticket on the state website www.njmcdirect.com

If your ticket is not marked "Court Appearance Required", you may enter your plea of Not Guilty by either calling the Court at 973-+882-2700 ext. 1 or appearing at the Violations Bureau. Court Staff will then schedule your case for a conference or a trial sate depending on the charge. 

Once you are assigned a Court date, all requests to adjourn that date must be made in writing to the judge. They may either be faxed to 973-882-2714 or mailed to Fairfield Municipal Court, 230 Fairfield Road, Fairfield, NJ 07004. An adjournment is not automatically granted by sending a letter. You must still appear unless you have received confirmation from Court staff that the date has been changed.

For certain charges with consequences of magnitude such as a large fine, loss of driving privileges, or incarceration you may be eligible for the Public Defender if you are financially indigent. If you can afford to hire your own attorney, you can call either the Essex County Bar Association or the New Jersey Bar Association for a referral. Court staff cannot recommend an attorney to you.

If you disagree with the judge's decision, you have the right to appeal your case to the Superior Court within 20 days of conviction. To do so you must file a notice with the Court and order a transcript of the proceeding. A convenient packet is available from the New Jersey Judiciary that explains the process step by step and provides all the necessary forms. It may be downloaded online at njcourtsonline.com

Yes.  All appointments are on Mondays or Tuesdays from 8:30am to 3:30pm.  Please call our office at (973) 882-2700 x2501 to make an appointment.

Yes. Your domestic partnership is still valid as it was entered into under the law in place at the time. However, you continue to have only the rights afforded to domestic partners and not the full rights of married couples as are given to civil union couples. 

No. There is no basis to recognize the assumption of the partner’s last name. A legal name change must be filed with the courts and an original copy of the final judgment presented to the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry.

No. Domestic partners who wish to enter into a civil union with the same person do not need to terminate their domestic partnership. Once they have entered into the civil union, their domestic partnership will automatically terminate if it was registered in New Jersey. If it was registered outside New Jersey, the laws of that state would determine the validity of the domestic partnership following the civil union. 

Information regarding benefits can be found at the Division of Pensions and Benefits.

No. Just as with opposite-sex couples, so long as your out-of-state marriage is consistent with the laws and public policy of New Jersey, your marriage is valid and recognized in this State and you will not need to enter into a New Jersey marriage.

No. You must contact the state or country in which you were married.

Each judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, each judge of the federal district court, United States magistrate, judge of a municipal court, judge of the Superior Court, judge of a tax court, retired judge of the Superior Court or Tax Court, or judge of the Superior Court or Tax Court, the former County Court, the former County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, or the former County District Court who has resigned in good standing, surrogate of any county, county clerk and any mayor or former mayor not currently serving on the municipal governing body or the deputy mayor when authorized by the mayor, or chairman of any township committee or village president of this State, and every minister of every religion, are hereby authorized to solemnize marriages or civil unions between such persons as may lawfully enter into the matrimonial relation or civil union; and every religious society, institution or organization in this State may join together in marriage or civil union such persons according to the rules and customs of the society, institution or organization. A civil celebrant shall be authorized to solemnize marriages or civil unions if certified by the Secretary of State.

Yes. It is recommended you check the Internet website for the particular Internet ministry to verify that their ministers are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies.

In order to request a delayed report of marriage, you must first file an application requesting the marriage certificate to ensure the record is not on file. If the marriage occurred within the last seven years and documentary proof is available a late marriage can be recorded. If the marriage took place more than seven years ago a delayed report must be filed by providing a copy of the marriage license application and documentary proof the marriage occurred. If the marriage license application is not available, then a court order must be obtained directing the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry to place the marriage on file as a delayed record. Please contact the Record Modification unit at 1-866-649-8726 option 4 for further information.

The Township of Fairfield charges $10.00 per copy.  The fees for copies of vital records vary by municipality. Please contact the municipality where the event took place for more detailed information.

Local copies are valid for all purposes except for the following instance:

• If the copies are being presented to a foreign country that is part of the Hague Treaty, the copies need an Apostille Seal from the New Jersey Secretary of State. The Apostille Seal can only be applied to certified copies of vital records issued from the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry.