Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Requires certain newly constructed residential buildings to meet universal design standards.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning construction standards for certain new residential buildings and supplementing P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. On or before the first day of the tenth month next following the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the commissioner shall adopt a universal design subcode, or supplement or revise any model code adopted pursuant to P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.), for the purpose of ensuring that buildings or structures subject to this section contain adequate and sufficient features to make them accessible to and usable by persons of any age or ability with minimal or no modifications.
b. On or after the adoption of the universal design subcode, or code supplement or revision, pursuant to subsection a. of this section, an application for a construction permit for a new multiple family residential building shall not be declared complete unless it provides for the building to be constructed in accordance with the universal design subcode, or code supplement or revision.
c. As used in this section, "multiple family residential building” means a building with four or more dwelling units in a single structure and shall not include a building constructed as a townhouse, which is a single dwelling unit with two or more stories of living space, exclusive of a basement or attic, with most or all of the sleeping areas on one story and with most of the remaining habitable space, such as kitchen, living, and dining areas, on another story, and with an independent entrance at or near grade level.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would require residential buildings with four or more dwelling units in a single structure to meet universal design standards adopted by the Commissioner of Community Affairs. The universal design requirements of the bill would ensure that these buildings are accessible to and usable by persons of any age or ability with minimal or no modifications required as people age or their ability changes.
The bill would apply to new buildings for which a construction permit is not complete by the adoption of universal design standards by the commissioner. The commissioner would have to adopt these standards on or before the first day of the tenth month next following the effective date of the bill. The bill generally would not apply to single dwelling unit townhouses.