The Assembly and Senate on Friday gave final passage to legislation, supported by NJBIA, that would streamline construction permits by allowing architects and engineers to self-certify that applications and plans comply with the Uniform Construction Code.
Under the legislation, A-4360, local code enforcement offices would be required to issue residential and commercial permits within one to five days after receiving these self-certified applications and plans from state licensed architects and engineers. The bill was approved 74-2 in the Assembly and 38-1 in the Senate. The bill now goes to Gov. Phil Murphy for his signature.
Ray Cantor, NJBIA’s deputy chief government affairs officer, said the legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak (D-18) and Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-22), would expedite the construction permit process without compromising health or safety.
“By expediting the permitting process, businesses and taxpayers save both time and money, which is good for the economy,” Cantor said.
The bill would direct the Department of Community Affairs to establish a program to certify architects and engineers as “certified design professionals” who are able to self-certify that construction permit applications, plans and specifications submitted to local code enforcement officials comply with the UCC and other applicable laws.
The bill requires the local enforcement agency to accept a self-certified permit application, conduct a supervisory check acknowledging receipt of all materials required under the UCC, and issue a permit within one to five calendar days following receipt of the submission, depending on the type of project.
Certain types of projects could be excluded from the self-certification process, such as those that include new commercial kitchens, major structural alterations, or projects that include new electrical service exceeding 400 amps, according to the bill. Amendments adopted Monday allow the Commissioner of Community Affairs, by regulation, to extend authorization for one or more of those types of project or submittals to participate in the self-certification program.
The legislation is part of a package of reforms that NJBIA, the State Chamber of Commerce, the New Jersey Builders Association, the New Jersey Chapter of NAIOP (the Commercial Real Estate Development Association), and the Alliance for Action worked together on with legislative leaders and the Murphy administration.
This story was updated at 5 p.m., June 28 after the Senate voted on the bill.
