To promote building in New Jersey, Assembly members Robert Karabinchak, Roy Freiman and Clinton Calabrese sponsored legislation that will create an expedited application process for construction projects. The bill cleared the full Assembly Thursday, 71-0-3.
“New Jersey is in the dark ages when it comes to efficiency and expediency of our construction permitting and inspection process,” said Karabinchak (D-Middlesex). “Fix this system and we will move numerous development projects throughout the state caught in a slow application and approval process.”
The measure (A-4788) would establish an alternate expedited inspection process under the State Uniform Construction Code Act.
Under the bill, an applicant for a construction permit could opt to pay a premium fee to have inspections under the permit performed on an expedited basis, within two days of a request for an inspection. The premium fee would be $200 per inspection. The applicant would make this option at the time of submitting an application.
“Getting a building permit can be extremely frustrating because of the time it takes, as well as the steps required, for a submission,” said Freiman (D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset). “This bill looks to simplify the process with an alternative option for the contractors, businesses and homeowners who wish to take a quicker route to getting an application approved.”
“Any effort to improve the inspection process and help move along building and construction projects in the state is a step in the right direction,” said Calabrese (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Creating another avenue for companies who need to get started quickly on a job will help businesses, while supporting the health of the building sector. This, in turn, will positively impact construction jobs, and ultimately, our economy.”
A municipality could offer expedited inspections by its construction code enforcing agency. If a municipality does not offer in-house expedited inspections, a construction permit applicant could retain any properly licensed private inspection agency to perform expedited inspections.
The bill will now go to the Senate for further consideration.