AN ACT concerning construction permits  for  the  installation  of  wheelchair  ramps  on residential  real  property  and amending P.L.1975,  c.2l 7.

BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New J ersey: 

I. Section 13 of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-131) is amended to read as follows:

C.52:27D-131        Construction   permits:   application,   approval.   expiration,  cancellat ion, extension.

13. a. The enforcing agency  shall  examine  each  application  for  a construction  permit.  If the application conforms with this act,  the  code,  and  the  requirements  of  other  applicable laws and ordinances. the enforcing agency shall approve the application and shall issue a construction permit to the applicant. Every application for a  construction  permit  shall  be granted, in whole or in part, or denied within 20  business  days,  unless  the  application  is limited to the construction of a ramp designed  to provide  wheelchair  access  to a one or two­ unit dwelling, and required for such access by a resident of the dwelling,  in which  case the permit  shall be granted  or denied within  five busi ness days.  If appl ication  is denied in whole or in part, the enforcing agency shall set forth the reasons therefor i n writing. If an enforcing agency fails to grant, in whole or in part,  or  deny  an  application  for a  construction  permit within the period of time prescribed herein. such failure shall be deemed a denial of the application for purposes  of an  appeal  to the construction  board  of appeals  unless  such  period of time has been extended with the consent of the  applicant.  The  enforcing  agency  may approve changes in plans and specifications previously approved by it, if the plans and specifications  when   so  changed   remain   in   conform ity  with  law.       Except   as  otherwise provided  in this act or the code, the construction  or alteration of  a building  or structure shall   not be commenced until a  construction  permit  has  been  issued.  The  construction  of  a building or structure shall be in compliance with the approved application for a construction permit; and the enforcing agency shall insure such compliance in  the  manner  set  forth  in  section  14 of this  act.

The commissioner, after consultation with the code advisory board, may. for certain classes or types of occupancy posing special or unusual hazard s to public safety. establish regulations designating the department as the enforcing agency for purposes of approving plans and specifications. A municipal enforci ng agency shall not grant an occupancy permit for any such class or type of construction unless the applicant submi ts appropriate plans and specifications certified or approved by the department. Upon submission by an appl icant of such certified approved plans and specifications, the enforcing agency shall recognize the approval when deciding whether to approve the application for a construction permit.

1. A construction permit.  issued  in  accordance  with  the  foregoing  provisions,  pursuant to which no construction has been undertaken above  the  foundation  walls  within  one  year from the ti me of  issuance.  shall expire.
2. The enforcing agency may revoke or cancel a construction permit in the event the project for which the permit is obtained is not completed by the third anniversary of the date of issuance of the construction permit. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law.rule or regulation to the contrary, the enforcing agency may revoke or cancel a construction permit in effect on the effective date of P.L.2001 , c.457 (C.52:27D- 131.l et al.). if the project for which the construction permit was obtained is not completed by the third anniversary of the effective date of P.L.2001 , c.457 (C.52:27D- I 31. l et al.).