Montclair, New Jersey
Roofing in Montclair, NJ: Where Most Houses Predate 1940
Montclair roofs cover everything from century-old frame houses to 1950s additions, and the age tends to show in the flashing before it shows in the shingles. A roof inspection is the usual first step when nobody knows the roof's history. Call (973) 358-8198 with your street and what you can see; the contractor decides the next step.
The houses
In the Census Bureau's 2024 five-year file, about 9,809 of Montclair's 16,521 housing units (give or take 461 on that count) date to 1939 or earlier. Another 900 date to the 1940s. The bureau reports the median year built as 1938 and flags it as 1939 or earlier, so it cannot say how far back the middle really sits. A roofer looking at a house of that age expects boards, chimneys and flashing that have been repaired more than once.
16,521homes, and when they went up
Census Bureau estimates for Montclair township, 2024 five-year file: 16,521 housing units, give or take 487. By decade built: 9,809 in 1939 or earlier, 900 in the 1940s, 1,499 in the 1950s, 1,119 in the 1960s, 825 in the 1970s, 522 in the 1980s, 417 in the 1990s and 1,430 since 2000.
Of 15,726 occupied homes, 8,953 are owner-occupied and 6,773 are rented, which is 43 percent, give or take 3 points. The township covers 6.2 square miles, per the Census gazetteer. About six in ten homes date to 1939 or earlier, so a typical street here is mostly older houses with a few newer ones among them.
- 1939 or earlier9,809
- 1940s900
- 1950s1,499
- 1960s1,119
- 1970s825
- 1980s522
- 1990s417
- Since 20001,430
Township office
Montclair's Building Office sits in the Municipal Building, 205 Claremont Avenue, second floor, and the phone is 973-509-4951. Posted hours are 8:30 to 4:30 on weekdays. The township asks people to call the Building Department first about a specific project and takes permit payments from 8:30 to 2:30. Applications are hand-delivered. The page does not mention roofing.
State rules put existing roof covering, whether repaired or replaced, in the ordinary-maintenance column for a house of one or two families that stands apart from its neighbors, which means no permit and no inspections. Montclair adds historic review. A Certificate of Appropriateness is required for exterior changes to landmarks and to properties in the four local districts: Pine Street, Town Center, Upper Montclair Business and Watchung Plaza. Routine repair that leaves a roof's look alone does not need one. Planning and Community Development, 973-744-1400, takes those applications.
Short answers
- Does my house need a historic review for a new roof?
Only if it is a local landmark or inside one of the four local districts: Pine Street, Town Center, Upper Montclair Business or Watchung Plaza. Routine repair that does not change a roof's look is exempt. Planning and Community Development, at 973-744-1400, can say for your address.
- Who handles the street tree over my roof?
Street trees are generally the township's, and only township crews or tree companies working for the township may prune or remove them. Community Services takes dangerous-tree reports at 973-509-5711 on weekdays. A wire in the tree goes to 911 or PSE&G first.
- Who makes the call from Montclair?
Owners, landlords and building managers can dial (973) 358-8198 and describe the roof. A tenant's job is to report: date, room and a photo go to whoever owns the building, since the owner decides on the work. Bring the street address and a guess at the roof's age.
Other towns on the line
Sources U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year, Table B25034, housing units by year built (Montclair township) U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year, Table B25035, median year structure built (Montclair township) U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year, Table B25003, tenure (Montclair township) U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer, New Jersey county subdivisions Township of Montclair, Building Office Township of Montclair, Building inspection and permits Township of Montclair, Certificate of Appropriateness Township of Montclair, Local historic districts Township of Montclair, Shade trees in Montclair Q&A Township of Montclair, Shade tree removal ordinance NJ Department of Community Affairs, Significant changes to minor work and ordinary maintenance (5 Mar 2018) Sustainable Jersey for Schools, School Districts 100% Served by PSE&G
Dial from Montclair.
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.