Trenton bill could force towns to act quicker on building inspections — Building inspector checking electrical wires,phone lines, building framing,electrical and plumbing stub outs

TRENTON, NJ – If you have ever tried to build something in the state of New Jersey, you’re probably familiar with the headaches and nightmares involved in the process, depending upon which town you live in.

Delays, inconsistent messages, and backups hamper local building inspection departments, but a new law seeks to change that.

Assembly Bill No. 573 proposes the owner, agent, or another responsible person in charge of work is required to notify an enforcing agency, in writing, when the work is ready for a required inspection under the Uniform Construction Code (“code”), at least 24 hours prior to the date and time the inspection is requested. The enforcing agency is then required to perform an inspection within three business days of the date for which the inspection is requested. The bill further specifies that the owner, agent, or other responsible person in charge of work may provide oral notice for inspections of minor work projects.

The bill requires municipal construction officials to submit an annual report detailing compliance with the code.

“The report is required to include, at a minimum information related to the staffing, staff titles, and expenses of the enforcing agency, in addition to any other information required by the commissioner. The annual report is also required to take into account projected work and agency resource needs for the next budget year,” according to bill sponsors. “The bill requires a municipality that enters into a contract for supplemental services to provide a copy of the contract to DCA upon entering into the contract. The bill requires that the municipal construction official or enforcing agency maintain the above information, in addition to the inspection log, municipal monthly activity reports, and the fee schedule and make that information and documents available to DCA upon request.”

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