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A new law seeks to facilitate development in New Jersey by allowing certain professionals to self-certify construction permits.

Acting Gov. Nicholas Scutari signed Assembly Bill 360/Senate Bill 402 Aug. 22. Proponents say the “New Jersey Design Professional Self-Certification Act” will help accelerate the building process in the state, by extension aiding and hastening economic development as well as helping alleviate housing demand.

“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. “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 National Low Income Housing Coalition, New Jersey lacks approximately 214,000 units of affordable rental housing.

Under the law, the Department of Community Affairs will establish a design professional self-certification program. DCA will certify “qualified design professionals,” based on criteria laid out by that agency’s commissioner.

After their approval, these architects and engineers may self-certify that a permit or project plans comply with the State Uniform Construction Code and other applicable laws.

The Self-Certification Act also mandates that municipal agencies accept and review these self-certified permit applications to issue a permit, depending on the scope of the project. The law stipulates DCA must establish and publish a self-certification form on its website. Professionals may then complete, sign and deliver to the enforcing agency.

DCA also has the ability to conduct random audits of qualified design professionals. These inspections would determine whether materials, applications or plans submitted in support of an application are in compliance.

Cutting time, and costs

DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn Suárez said her agency is ready to administer the law.

“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,” Suárez said.

Scutari, D-22nd District, and Senate president, was a prime sponsor of the legislation, along with Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak, D-18th District. Other primary sponsors include Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-36th Distrtict; Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald, D-6th District; and Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli, D-15th District.

The signing was celebrated in the business community.

New Jersey Business & Industry President and CEO Michele Siekerka remarked that it will save time in practice, as well as money for taxpayers. “When the Governor, the Legislature and business community can work together to expedite certain building construction without compromising health or safety, it really is a win for everyone,” Siekerka said.

“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 NJ believes that alleviating costly delays is critical to the success of any commercial real estate development or redevelopment plan,” NAIOP New Jersey CEO Dan Kennedy said, expressing gratitude to the executive and legislative branch players involved.

Sign of the times

New Jersey Building Association CEO Jeff Kolakowski characterized the move as another step to modernize the state’s building code process.

“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 stated. “After successful enactment of the inspection reform law 2 years ago, the Governor and Legislature have once again responsibly reduced regulatory burdens that will in turn help to lower the cost of housing.”

“Economic development projects in New Jersey are often subject to lengthy delays because of outdated and onerous construction permitting processes. This unfairly stalls projects and increases costs for developers. In the meantime, towns and cities miss out on the much-needed tax revenue that result from completed projects. The New Jersey Design Professional Self-Certification Act eliminates an impediment to economic development, while ensuring that projects are reviewed professionally and safely. It also results in our state becoming more business-friendly and helps in our quest to improve our competitiveness,” said Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce.