Measure Would Decrease 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 was advanced on Monday by an Assembly panel.
The bill (A-996) would require an enforcing 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.
“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 bill will help ensure that individuals who need wheelchairs at home can have ramps as soon as possible.”
Under current law, municipal enforcing agencies must examine and approve or deny applications for construction permits within 20 business days. The bill would amend the law in order to expedite the construction of wheelchair ramps designed to facilitate access to one- or two-unit dwellings.
The measure was advanced by the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.