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Old Tappan, NJ Roofing, Siding and Concrete Walk Contractor
NJ Gold Star Construction serves Old Tappan, NJ with roofing, siding, poured concrete walks, masonry steps, gutters and decks. The borough permit page lists siding under both "no permit" and "permit" work, and says to call the Building Department when in doubt at (201) 664-1849, so we call before we quote. Licensed (NJ HIC #13VH13359900).
Old Tappan’s building permit page is useful and contradictory in the same breath. It says re-roofing and siding do not need a permit, and it lists siding, pools, decks, elevated patios and driveways among residential work that does. It ends with the advice to call the Building Department when in doubt.
We take that advice literally. We call (201) 664-1849, ask how the borough treats your specific job, and write the answer into the estimate.
Call (862) 271-1225 for a free written estimate, or text us. We answer 24/7 for active leaks.
What the work includes
- Roof repair, replacement and 24/7 emergency leak response in Old Tappan
- Chimney repair, repointing, rebuilds, liners and cleaning
- Siding installation and repair — vinyl and fiber cement
- Seamless gutters, guards, screens and cleaning
- Masonry: steps, poured concrete walks, natural stone walls and foundation repair
- Deck construction, structural repair and restoration
One page, two lists: how Old Tappan's permit page treats siding and re-roofing
Old Tappan’s building permit page lists re-roofing and siding under work that does not need a permit, and also lists siding, pools, decks, elevated patios and driveways among residential work that does. The page is undated and does not reconcile the two lists, so a roofing contractor in Old Tappan, NJ has to ask the Building Department.
The borough’s page opens with a clear principle: an application for a permit must be made before any construction or remodeling work begins. It lists work that needs one, including new construction, electrical and plumbing work, boiler and furnace replacements, sewer connections and signs. Then it gets less tidy. Re-roofing and siding are named in the list of work that does not need a permit, while a separate miscellaneous list names siding again, along with pools, decks, elevated patios and driveways, as work that does.
We read that as an honest sign that the page was edited in pieces. It ends with the advice that settles it: “when in doubt, please call the Building Department,” at (201) 664-1849. So we do. For any roofing or siding estimate in Old Tappan, we ask how the borough treats that specific job today, and we record the date and the answer.
What we put in a written Old Tappan estimate
- The borough’s answer for this job: permit, no permit, or notice.
- Who files it and whether a fee applies.
- Whether zoning review applies, for example if the work changes the footprint or roofline.
Our roof replacement, siding installation and siding repair pages describe the work these answers apply to.
Driveways, walks and aprons: the same-material, same-size line
Old Tappan says repaving a driveway with the same material and size needs no permit, yet it lists driveways among residential work that does. The reading that fits both is that like-for-like repaving is exempt while a new or enlarged driveway is not. A concrete apron or walk that changes size or material should be checked first.
The page contains another pair of statements that look like a contradiction and probably are a condition. Repaving a driveway with the same material and the same size does not need a permit. Driveways are also listed as work that does. The simplest reading is that the exemption is for like-for-like repaving, and that a new, widened or re-materialed driveway is a permitted job.
That reading is ours, not the borough’s, so we confirm it. The same line applies to the concrete that connects a driveway to the house: aprons, walks and stoops. If we are repairing a cracked walk at the same width and thickness, it is maintenance. If we are widening it, changing its route or adding a landing, it is new work.
Concrete details that decide how long a walk lasts
- A compacted, uniform base under every panel.
- Joints placed before the pour, so cracks follow the lines we chose.
- A surface slope that carries water away from the house and the steps.
- Curing and protection through the first freeze.
See poured concrete sidewalks, walkways and masonry steps for how we build them.
Elevated patios and decks: why a raised surface is treated like a structure
Old Tappan lists decks and elevated patios together as residential work that requires a permit application. A raised patio is structurally close to a deck: it has a walking surface above grade, and it needs footings, framing or fill, and often guards. The height above grade and the construction method decide how the borough sees it.
The borough’s page names “decks, elevated patios” in the same breath, which is how most building offices think: once a walking surface is raised above the ground, it behaves like a structure. It carries people, it can fall, and it needs a foundation that survives frost.
As an outside reference only, one New Jersey borough’s published deck guidelines call for footings at least 36 inches below grade, ledger boards fastened with half-inch lag bolts, guards at least 36 inches high where the walking surface is more than 30 inches above grade, baluster spacing that a 4-inch sphere cannot pass, and continuous handrails on stairs of four or more risers. Old Tappan’s own requirements govern, and we confirm them.
The practical distinction we draw is between a patio at grade and a raised one. A concrete or stone patio at grade is hardscape: base, slope and surface. A raised patio with a retaining edge or a structural frame is closer to a deck. Our concrete and stone patios page covers the at-grade version, and natural stone walls covers the retaining edges that sometimes hold a raised one.
Emergency furnace or boiler replacement: the five-day permit rule and the chimney
Old Tappan allows an emergency furnace, boiler or water heater replacement to go in first, as long as the Building Department is notified at installation and the permit is obtained within five days. A new appliance can change how a chimney vents, so a flue inspection and, if needed, a liner belong in the plan.
A heating system that fails in January is an emergency, and the borough treats it as one: the page says the Building Department must be notified at installation and that permits must be obtained within five days of the installation. That is a different clock from the 72 hours some towns use, and worth knowing.
What it does not say is what happens to the chimney. A newer, more efficient appliance often produces cooler flue gases than the one it replaces, and cooler gases can condense inside a masonry flue designed for hotter exhaust. The moisture is hard on old brick and mortar. That is why we look at the flue when a boiler or furnace is replaced, and why we recommend a liner when the inspection calls for one.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America cites NFPA 211, which calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected at least once a year, and recommends a Level 1 inspection with sweeping. Our chimney liner installation, chimney repair and chimney caps pages explain the work, and deep chimney cleaning covers the sweep.
Five questions we ask the Old Tappan Building Department before we quote
Before quoting any Old Tappan job, we ask the Building Department five things: does this specific work need a permit or notice, who files it, does zoning review apply, which inspections are required, and what fee applies. The answers go into your written estimate so there are no surprises when work starts.
With a page that lists some jobs both ways, the quickest route to certainty is a phone call. This is the script we use, and you are welcome to use it yourself at (201) 664-1849.
- Does this specific work need a permit, a notice, or neither? We describe the material, the area and the house type.
- Who files it? The owner or the contractor, and with which forms.
- Does zoning review apply? Especially if the footprint, height or roofline changes.
- Which inspections are required, and how are they scheduled?
- What is the fee, and when is it due?
We record the date of the call and the answer. If the borough changes its mind, the paper trail shows what was true when the work was priced.
The State’s Uniform Construction Code is the frame all of this sits in, and each borough applies it differently. Our pages for Harrington Park, Emerson and Westwood show how neighboring offices differ. You can request a free estimate when you are ready for a hands-on inspection.
Exterior services in Old Tappan
Roof repair, full replacement, attic ventilation and maintenance, with 24/7 emergency leak response.…
Repairs, rebuilds, stainless liners, caps, chase covers and deep cleaning.…
Seamless gutters, guards, screens, repairs and cleaning.…
Masonry steps, poured concrete sidewalks, natural stone walls, stone veneer and foundation repair.…
Vinyl and fiber cement siding, installed and repaired with the flashing behind it done right.…
New decks and structural repair, built to code on proper footings.…
Old Tappan, NJ service area map
Frequently asked questions
Does siding need a permit in Old Tappan?
The borough page lists siding under both no-permit work and permit-required residential work and does not reconcile them. It advises calling the Building Department when in doubt, so we call before quoting and put the answer in the written estimate.
Does re-roofing need a permit in Old Tappan?
The page names re-roofing in its no-permit list, but it also says an application must be made before any construction or remodeling. We confirm the borough’s current position for your house before we quote, and we note the date of the answer.
Can I repave my driveway without a permit?
The borough says repaving with the same material and size needs no permit, while driveways are also listed as permit work. We read that as like-for-like repaving being exempt and new or enlarged driveways not, and we confirm it with the office.
What if my boiler fails in winter?
The borough allows emergency furnace, boiler or water heater replacement to proceed if the Building Department is notified at installation and the permit is obtained within five days. We can inspect the chimney to see whether a new appliance calls for a liner.
Do decks and raised patios need permits in Old Tappan?
The page lists decks and elevated patios as residential work requiring a permit application. A patio at grade is different from a raised one, so we confirm how the borough sees your plan before we price it.
Who do I call with permit questions in Old Tappan?
The borough page gives the Building Department number as (201) 664-1849 and says to call when in doubt. We make that call for any job we quote and record the answer in the estimate.
- Building Permit — Borough of Old Tappan, NJ
- Homeowner Resources — Chimney Safety Institute of America
- Residential Wood Deck Guidelines — Borough of Mendham, NJ, Construction Department
- The Uniform Construction Code (NJAC 5:23) — New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Codes and Standards
Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by Edgar Lopez Gonzalez, owner · NJ HIC #13VH13359900
Licensed & insured. 25+ years in North Jersey. We answer 24/7 for leaks and storm damage.
- Town
- Old Tappan, Bergen County
- License
- NJ HIC #13VH13359900
- Emergency service
- 24/7 — call (862) 271-1225
- Estimates
- Free, written and itemized