Commercial real estate and other business leaders were on hand in Trenton Thursday as Acting Gov. Nicholas Scutari signed the New Jersey Design Professional Self-Certification Act. — Courtesy: NAIOP New Jersey
By Joshua Burd
Commercial real estate leaders are cheering a newly enacted state law that will allow architects and engineers to self-certify applications for construction permits and other documents, touting it as another step toward streamlining development and cutting red tape.
The bill, which Acting Gov. Nicholas Scutari signed Thursday, requires the Department of Community Affairs to establish a program that would allow the private-sector experts to become “qualified design professionals” by meeting certain criteria. Once approved by the agency, an architect or engineer may self-certify that a permit application and plans for certain projects comply with the state’s Uniform Construction Code and other applicable laws.
The measure also requires municipal code officials to accept and review self-certified permit applications, while providing a system for DCA to conduct random audits of the documents.
“As the need for quality development grows within our state, it’s important that design professionals receive the proper certifications and permits in an effective and expeditious manner,” said Scutari, who was a prime sponsor of the bill in his role as state Senate president, working alongside Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak. Other primary sponsors included Sen. Paul Sarlo, Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald and Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli.
“This bill streamlines that process, allowing for construction projects to move forward so that New Jersey can better accommodate the increasing demand for small and large development projects.”
According to the law, self-certification will be available for certain repair, renovation, alteration and reconstruction projects. But the legislation also allows DCA’s commissioner to expand the scope of the program after its implementation.
NAIOP New Jersey and the New Jersey Builders Association were among the business groups that advocated for the law and were on hand for a bill-signing in Trenton, praising the lawmakers as well as Gov. Phil Murphy.
“Communities throughout New Jersey will benefit from this new law because it will remove hurdles to economic development and contribute to the efficient and timely approval of construction projects,” NAIOP New Jersey CEO Dan Kennedy said. “NAIOP NJ believes that alleviating costly delays is critical to the success of any commercial real estate development or redevelopment plan. We are especially grateful to the governor and his team for their support, Assemblyman Robert J. Karabinchak for his vision and tenacity getting this bill to the governor’s desk, and for Senate President Scutari and Senator Paul A. Sarlo’s leadership on this bill in the Senate.”
Jeff Kolakowski, NJBA’s CEO, also commended Murphy, Scutari and Karabinchak for their role in “taking another step to modernize New Jersey’s building code processes.” Additionally, he noted that the measure follows a law that Murphy signed early last year, allowing building owners to hire third-party, private-sector professionals to expedite code inspections.
“By empowering qualified experts to self-certify certain building code plans, this new law will leverage the private sector to create additional career and business opportunities and reduce the time and cost to complete residential projects,” Kolakowski said. “After successful enactment of the inspection reform law two years ago, the governor and Legislature have once again responsibly reduced regulatory burdens that will in turn help to lower the cost of housing.”
The law, A4360 or S3402, calls for DCA to establish a self-certification form that it will publish on its website for qualified design professionals to complete, sign and deliver to the enforcing agency.
“New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Division of Codes and Standards stands ready to administer the A4360 legislation that establishes a design professional self-certification program,” DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez said, later adding: “This is another example of how the Murphy administration is working to streamline the construction process and respond to the evolving demands in the construction industry to better serve our residents.”
Murphy signs bill to allow third-party code inspections, drawing cheers from real estate industry
