Construction must begin within one year of the permit issue date.  Once the work begins, the permit expires if the work is abandoned for a period of more then six months.

IMPORTANT UPDATE:  Due to the national recession and its affect on the banking, real estate, and construction industries, the State of New Jersey has approved the “Permit Extension Act of 2008.”  The act stops the clock on the running of approvals during the “extension period,” which is defined as January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2012.  This means that any construction permit that was valid as of January 1, 2007 will still be valid on December 31, 2012.  On December 31, 2012, when the clock starts again, the permit is valid for an additional six months or for the time that would have remained on January 1, 2007, whichever is shorter.  Any permit issued during the extension period (between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2012) will be valid until June 30, 2013(six months beyond the end of the extension period,) or until the date when it would have expired if the Permit Extension Act had not been passed, whichever is longer.