Answer all three before continuing. These determine which compliance track applies.
Is the occupancy type changing?
e.g., office to residential, warehouse to retail, commercial to daycare
Is new square footage, height, or a new story being added?
Any increase in building footprint, roof height, or number of floors
Has this building ever been previously occupied?
Never-occupied buildings require full new construction compliance — not the Rehab Subcode
Step 2 — Occupancy Type
Select the existing (or proposed, for change of use) occupancy. This routes to the correct use-group-specific requirements.
Select the proposed new occupancy:
Step 3 — Scope of Work
Check all items that apply to this project. The tool classifies each component and outputs the highest governing category.
Repair — §6.4
Patching or restoring damaged materials using the same or closely similar materials
e.g. repointing mortar, patching plaster, repairing like-for-like
Replacing a broken component with the same type, size, and material
e.g. replacing a cracked tile, broken window glass (same size), failed pipe section
Renovation — §6.5
Replacing finish materials with different materials — no space reconfiguration
e.g. new flooring, wall finishes, ceiling tiles, paint over different substrate
Replacing windows or doors in existing openings — same opening, no structural change
No enlargement, no new opening — straight replacement in kind
Replacing plumbing fixtures or HVAC equipment in-place
e.g. new toilet, sink, water heater, furnace — same location, no new piping/duct runs
Replacing electrical panels or equipment in-place — no new circuits or branch extensions
Panel upgrade in same location, replacing switches/receptacles, no new branch circuits
Alteration — §6.6
Adding, removing, or relocating interior walls or partitions
Any change to spatial configuration, including demising walls
Adding, enlarging, or removing a door or window opening
New opening, wider/taller opening, or filling in an existing opening
Extending plumbing, electrical, or HVAC systems to new locations
New branch circuits, new pipe runs, new duct extensions — not just in-place replacement
Converting non-habitable space to occupied space
e.g. basement to dwelling unit, attic to living space, garage to habitable room
Installing equipment or structure that adds load to a primary structural member
e.g. new rooftop equipment, added floor loading, structural modifications
Creating a new stairway, corridor, mezzanine, or dwelling unit separation
New building element — triggers New Building Elements requirements §6.9 in addition to Alteration
Reconstruction — §6.7 (both conditions required)
The entire space, unit, or tenancy must vacate during construction
Work area cannot be occupied while work is in progress
A new certificate of occupancy will be required before reoccupancy
CO required for the work area — not just a final inspection
Step 4 — Work Area Size
Reconstruction triggers Supplemental Requirements when the work area exceeds specific thresholds. Estimate the work area as a percentage of the building’s gross enclosed floor area.
Climate Zone
Insulation requirements under Materials & Methods vary by NJ climate zone. Select county to apply the correct IECC 2021 minimums.
ZONE:
Results
Complete Steps 1–3 to see classification and compliance requirements.
Preliminary classification guidance only. Work classification under the NJ Rehabilitation Subcode (N.J.A.C. 5:23-6) is ultimately determined by the local construction official per §6.2(b)(2). This tool does not substitute for review by a licensed design professional or code consultant. Green Stories LLC is not a licensed architecture firm — all licensed architectural services are provided by Mark E. Bess, AIA at Blackberry Studios. NJ Rehabilitation Subcode last amended March 2023; §6.31 updated July 2024. Always verify against the current adopted edition at nj.gov/dca.