Measure Decreases Application Consideration Period to Five Days from 20 Days
Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak to make it easier for New Jersey residents with disabilities to access their homes is now law.
The new law (A-996) requires a code enforcement agency to issue a construction permit for the installation of a wheelchair ramp on a residential property within five business days of receiving an application, provided the application conforms with all legal requirements.
“Wheelchair ramps are simple projects that can significantly improve quality of life for New Jersey residents, but bureaucracy can delay the construction process,” said Andrzejczak (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland). “By reducing the permit application consideration period from a month to mere days, this law will help ensure that individuals who need wheelchairs at home can have ramps as soon as possible.”
Under previous law, municipal enforcing agencies had 20 business days to examine and approve or deny applications for construction permits. The new law aims to expedite the construction of wheelchair ramps designed to facilitate access to one- or two-unit dwellings.
The measure received unanimous approval from both houses of the legislature.