Manchester Township Building Permit: How Many Plan Sets to Print, and at What Size
Manchester’s zoning application (revised 01-02-25) asks for three sealed plot plans and a $100 fee for a new single-family home. A shed, deck, fence, above-ground pool, addition or EV charger takes a to-scale survey instead, and the form doesn’t say how many copies. For a new home, the township’s instructions add two sets of architectural plans at zoning, and four sealed topographical surveys at preliminary engineering.
Below is each count with the township document it comes from, including the one place where two of those documents disagree.
Copies and fees on the zoning application
These counts and fees come from the “Required submissions” list on the zoning application (revised 01-02-25) and from the township’s new home instructions.
| Project | Copies the township lists | Zoning fee listed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New single-family dwelling (zoning) | Three sealed plot plans | $100 | The new home instructions describe these as three surveys from the approved preliminary engineering, plus two sets of architectural plans |
| New single-family dwelling (preliminary engineering) | Sealed topographical surveys | See note | The new home instructions list four; the township’s newer Request for Engineering Review form (posted Sept 2025, for both preliminary and final review; on the Forms page) says “two (2) copies of the as-built topo”. Confirm the count with the Building Department |
| New single-family dwelling (affordable housing fee) | One copy of plans | Not listed | Submitted with the fee application to the Tax Assessor’s Office |
| Tree clearing | Three sealed plot plans | $75 | Showing all limits of clearing |
| Tree reforestation | Three sealed plot plans | $150 | Prepared by a NJ licensed tree professional |
| Signage | Three sets of elevation renderings and plot plan | $35 per sign | Detailing the sign location |
| Shed, addition, deck, fence, above-ground pool, EV charger | An accurate to-scale survey | $35 for the first item, $10 for each additional | Showing all proposed and existing development; no number of copies stated |
| In-ground pool, garage, commercial addition or accessory structure | Not stated | $50 | Confirm what to submit with the office |
What the township’s site does not say: it doesn’t list how many sets of construction drawings to submit for the construction permit itself. The state rule below sets the minimum for paper submissions. Ask the Department of Inspections for its current count before you print your construction sets.
More details from the new home instructions:
- Pinelands. If it applies, a Pinelands Exemption or Certificate of Filing must be presented at submission.
- Soils. New homes on isolated lots disturbing more than 5,000 sq ft need a letter from the Ocean County Soil Conservation District with the preliminary engineering.
- Basements and options. A new home with a basement needs an engineer’s soil boring report. If the plans show options, they must be listed on the technical section along with model elevations.
- Recent purchases. If you bought the property within the last two months, provide a copy of the deed or a signed affidavit to build.
Original size, to scale: Manchester’s size rule
Manchester’s documents don’t name a sheet size such as 11×17 or 24×36. What they do say is that the plot plan must be a “scaled/original sized copy” and the survey must be legible and “drawn to scale.”
What this means for printing: print your plot plan and survey at the size your engineer or surveyor drew them, at 100% scale. Don’t shrink a sheet to fit smaller paper, because a reduced print is no longer to scale. If you’re not sure what size is acceptable for your project, ask the Department of Inspections before you print.
What goes with every zoning application
According to the township’s Zoning Permit Application (revised 01-02-25) and the Code Enforcement / Zoning page:
- The form. The completed zoning permit application, signed by the owner, or by an agent, tenant or contract purchaser the owner has authorized.
- A to-scale plot plan or survey. The zoning page says the permit “must be accompanied by a scaled/original sized copy plot plan showing the proposed size and location of any proposed development,” including all front, rear and side setbacks. Its FAQ adds that “a copy of a legible survey of the property (drawn to scale) indicating all existing and proposed buildings, site improvements, & structures is required.”
- HOA approval. Required for any dwelling in a retirement community.
- Business details. A new business tenant must give a detailed description of the use and all signage.
Four stops for a new home
The township’s Code Enforcement / Zoning page says zoning permits “are required for any change of use and almost all building and renovation work, including accessory structures such as fences and shed installations.”
For a new single-family home, the township’s new home instructions lay out the order:
- Preliminary engineering. Submitted through the Building Department and reviewed by the Township Engineer, with Pinelands and Ocean County soils approvals where they apply.
- Zoning. A zoning and tree removal application, with surveys from the approved preliminary engineering and architectural plans.
- Other approvals. Utilities, health, the affordable housing development fee review, and any board or agency approvals.
- Construction permit. The completed construction permit packet goes to the Department of Inspections and then to the subcode officials. The instructions say the review will be approved or rejected within twenty working days of a complete packet, and the clock stops if more information is requested.
So for a new home you are printing for several steps, not one.
Construction sets: the state’s two-copy floor
Manchester’s own pages don’t give a count for the construction permit sets, so the state Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2, published by the NJ Department of Community Affairs) sets the floor. A paper application needs no fewer than two copies of the plans, drawn to scale. When the permit is released, the construction official stamps both sets: one stays with the township, and the other has to be kept at the building site for inspections.
An electronic submission doesn’t remove the paper: a physical copy of the released plans, sealed and wet signed by the design professional, still has to be at the work site. The township can ask for more than the state minimum.
Manchester print list
- Get the final PDFs. Ask your engineer, surveyor or architect for the signed and sealed files.
- Count your copies. Use the table above, then ask the Department of Inspections how many construction sets they want. Add any copies you want for your own records.
- Keep it to scale. Print plot plans and surveys at their original size, at 100%. Don’t shrink them.
- Plan for the job site. Keep one released set at the building site for inspections.
Ready to print? Upload the sealed PDF and pick the sheet size your engineer or surveyor used: 18×24, 24×36, 30×42, 36×46 or 36×48. Prints are $1.95 per black-and-white sheet, $3.75 per color sheet, the same at every size. Order by 3 PM ET, ships same day, arrives as soon as the next day. Need a size that isn’t at checkout? Email support@printmyplans.com first.
More Ocean County guides: Toms River, Brick and Berkeley. Across the county line, see Middletown. For the survey alone, read printing a survey or plot plan for a permit.
FAQ
How many plot plans does Manchester’s zoning office ask for?
The zoning application (revised 01-02-25) lists three sealed plot plans for a new single-family dwelling, for tree clearing and for tree reforestation. For sheds, additions, decks, fences, above-ground pools and EV chargers, it asks for an accurate to-scale survey and doesn’t state a number of copies. Confirm the current count with the office.
What size does the plot plan have to be?
The township doesn’t name a sheet size. Its zoning page says the plot plan must be a “scaled/original sized copy,” and the survey must be legible and drawn to scale. Print at the original size and don’t reduce it.
How many sets of architectural plans do I need for a new home?
The new home instructions list two sets of architectural plans with the zoning application. For the construction permit, New Jersey’s construction code requires at least two copies of the plans for a paper submission, and the township can ask for more, so confirm with the Department of Inspections.
How many surveys go to engineering?
The township’s documents differ: the new home instructions list four sealed topographical surveys for preliminary engineering, while the township’s newer Request for Engineering Review form (posted Sept 2025, for both preliminary and final review; on the Forms page) says “two (2) copies of the as-built topo”. Confirm the current count with the Building Department when you submit.
Can Print My Plans print my survey or plot plan?
Checkout sizes are 18×24, 24×36, 30×42, 36×46 and 36×48. For any other size, email support@printmyplans.com before you order.
Who to ask at the township
The new home instructions say you’ll be contacted if any additional information is required during review. Call the Department of Inspections, Land Use & Planning at (732) 657-8121 (the Zoning page lists ext. 3907 for zoning questions), or check the current forms on the township’s Forms page, before you print the final count.
This article summarizes public township and state documents for convenience and is not legal or code advice.
Manchester sits in Ocean County, which our Toms River and Ocean County printing page covers. For sheet sizes and ordering, see permit plan set printing; copy counts for nearby townships are in the town-by-town permit guides.
