Ridgewood Building Department Expands Hours and Achieves Zero Permit Backlog
photo courtesy of the Village of Ridgewood
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Village of Ridgewood Building Department is rolling out major service upgrades to streamline local construction projects, speed up permit approvals, and expand inspection availability.
Starting September 8, the department—located on the third floor of Village Hall—will open one hour earlier at 7:30 AM, Monday through Friday. Early access prior to standard business hours will be available exclusively through the Maple Avenue entrance.
The expanded morning hours aim to accommodate contractors, trade professionals, and residents on tight schedules before they head to job sites or begin their daily commute.
Full Staffing Enables 5-Day Inspection Schedules
By mid-September, the Building Department will reach full staffing levels for the first time in several years. With the hiring of a part-time building inspector and a part-time electrical inspector, the department can now provide five-day-a-week inspection coverage across all major trade disciplines:
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Building
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Plumbing
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Electrical
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Fire Safety
This expanded capacity eliminates scheduling bottlenecks for homeowners and commercial developers across the village.
Meet Director Ray Keeley: Streamlining Ridgewood’s Permitting Process
Leading these administrative enhancements is Raymond “Ray” Keeley, who assumed the role of Director and Construction Official on July 1. A retired police officer and U.S. Navy veteran, Keeley brings nearly 15 years of municipal experience as a Plumbing Subcode Official, Building Inspector, and Acting Construction Official.
Under Keeley’s direction, the department has prioritized inter-departmental collaboration with Ridgewood’s Engineering and Health departments to accelerate zoning reviews and permit issuances.
“The Building Department is working hand in hand with the Engineering and Health departments to expedite the permitting and zoning processes so that projects can get started more quickly,” Keeley said.
These structural updates have produced immediate results:
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Zero Permit Backlog: The department is fully current on all active applications, with no municipal delays. Any pending applications are awaiting responses to specific applicant inquiries.
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Instant Mobile Updates: Inspectors now use a mobile notification system in the field to update inspection statuses immediately. Automatic email notifications are sent directly to all contacts listed on the permit application upon pass or fail results.
Village Contact Information
For questions regarding permits, zoning reviews, or inspection scheduling, residents and contractors can reach Village of Ridgewood leadership:
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Keith Kazmark, Village Manager: 201-670-5500, ext. 2202 | [email protected]
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Carol Bialkowski, Director of Communications & Special Projects: 201-670-5500, ext. 2204 | [email protected]
Key Takeaways
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New Operating Hours: Opens at 7:30 AM weekdays starting Sept. 8 via the Maple Avenue entrance.
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Full Inspection Coverage: Inspections available 5 days a week across Building, Plumbing, Electrical, and Fire disciplines.
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Zero Backlogs: Permitting queue is current with real-time digital email updates for inspection outcomes.
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Tags: Ridgewood NJ, Bergen County, Public Works, Local Government, Home Improvement, Building Permits
