Cedar Grove, New Jersey
Roofing in Cedar Grove, NJ: Median Home Built in 1959
Cedar Grove's houses went up mostly in the postwar years, and a third of them in the 1950s alone. Roofs from that era are on their second or third covering by now. If the history is unclear, start at the inspection page. Next step: call (973) 358-8198 with your street and what you notice.
The houses
The Census Bureau's 2024 five-year estimates list 5,147 housing units in Cedar Grove, give or take 269. The 1950s account for 1,889 of them, about 37 percent, and another 766 date to the 1960s. Only 449 are from 1939 or earlier. The median year built is 1959. The housing here is far younger than Montclair's, so shingle wear, gutters and attic ventilation come up more than slate or old copper.
More than a third built in the 1950s
Census Bureau estimates for Cedar Grove township, 2024 five-year file: 5,147 housing units, give or take 269, on 4.2 square miles. By decade built: 449 in 1939 or earlier, 443 in the 1940s, 1,889 in the 1950s, 766 in the 1960s, 173 in the 1970s, 524 in the 1980s and 903 since 1990.
Of 4,963 occupied homes, 4,177 are owner-occupied and 786 are rented, about 16 percent, give or take 3 points. Median year built: 1959, give or take 2. Roughly six in ten homes went up between 1940 and 1969.
Township office
The township's Building Department page gives 525 Pompton Avenue and 973-239-1410, extension 246 for the Construction Office. James Hoffmann is listed as Construction Official. No office hours are posted. Building inspections run Monday through Friday from 1 to 4:30 p.m., by appointment only. The page adds that cash is not accepted for permits and that almost any work on a property needs one. Roofing and contractor registration are not mentioned, so the page advises calling the Construction Office.
State rules call it ordinary maintenance to repair or replace roof covering on a one- or two-family house with no shared walls. Decks, framing and attached houses are questions for the office.
Short answers
- Who answers roofing paperwork questions in Cedar Grove?
The Construction Office at 525 Pompton Avenue, 973-239-1410, extension 246. The page says nearly all property work needs a permit and does not name roofing, so ask about your house type before work begins. No office hours are posted.
- When can I get a building inspection in Cedar Grove?
By appointment only. The Building Department page lists building inspections Monday through Friday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. with the Construction Official. Call extension 246 to schedule. Fire, plumbing and electrical inspections run on separate days.
- Who makes the call from Cedar Grove?
Owners can dial (973) 358-8198. Only about 16 percent of Cedar Grove households rent, so most calls come from owners, but landlords and managers are welcome too. A tenant sends the owner the date, the room and a photo. Have the street and the roof's age ready.
Other towns on the line
Sources U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year, Table B25034, housing units by year built (Cedar Grove township) U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year, Table B25035, median year structure built (Cedar Grove township) U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year, Table B25003, tenure (Cedar Grove township) U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer, New Jersey county subdivisions Township of Cedar Grove, Building Department NJ Department of Community Affairs, Significant changes to minor work and ordinary maintenance (5 Mar 2018) NJ Department of Community Affairs, Construction Code Communicator, Spring 2025 (Solar and Reroofing) Cornell LII, N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7, Ordinary maintenance Sustainable Jersey for Schools, School Districts 100% Served by PSE&G
Dial from Cedar Grove.
Before you call (973) 358-8198, find the street address, note which room shows water and jot down roughly how old the roof is. Tenants: the owner arranges roof work, so the landlord hears about it first. Towns: Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, West Orange, Cedar Grove, Clifton, Little Falls.