SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — A new bill signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy will make it easier for homeowners and developers in New Jersey to finish building and renovation projects.
Waiting for inspections can hold up a project for weeks, but the new law requires townships to get someone over there within three days.
“If the town … or municipality or borough can’t do it in three days, and they have shared services with an adjoining town, that inspector comes in and does the inspection and turns over the results to the head code official,” said Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak, the bill’s sponsor.
He said that is an important part of the bill — allowing shared services among neighboring towns.
“Every single inspector in the state of New Jersey has the same license. They’ve gone through the same educational process, the same testing,” he said.
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However, if nobody from township inspection offices can get there within three days, people can hire a third-party inspector.
“You would be reimbursed for your fees that you paid this third party, but not to exceed the amount of the permit, less the plan review and administration of that permit amount,” Karabinchak explained.
He doesn’t expect that to be a frequent issue because now townships are now allowed to share inspectors.
“There’s a reconciliation … if there’s one inspection or two or multiple inspections.”
Karabinchak believes this will put an end to long delays for certificate of occupancy inspections, which can sometimes hold up the sale of a home.