Bill Text: NJ A3444 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Exempts senior homeowners from municipal building permit fees.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-03-05 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee [A3444 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-A3444-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Exempts senior homeowners from municipal building permit fees.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning exemptions from building permit fees for senior citizens 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. Notwithstanding the provisions of the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.), or any rules, regulations, or standards adopted to the contrary, the governing body of any municipality which has appointed an enforcing agency pursuant to the provisions of section 8 of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-126) may provide, by ordinance, that a senior citizen, age 65 or older, who is an eligible claimant, as defined in section 1 of P.L.1997, c.348 (C.54:4-8.67), may apply for a waiver from payment of any construction permit surcharge fee or enforcing agency fee for any construction, reconstruction, alteration, or improvement undertaken to repair or maintain a dwelling unit that is owned and occupied as a primary residence by the senior citizen, except for any construction, reconstruction, alteration, or improvement undertaken solely to increase the square footage of the dwelling unit.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill grants municipalities the discretion to enact an ordinance allowing senior citizens aged 65 or older who are eligible to receive a homestead property tax reimbursement under P.L.1997, c.348 (C.54:4-8.67 et seq.) to apply for a waiver from municipal building permit fees for any construction, reconstruction, alteration, or improvement undertaken to repair or maintain a primary residence owned and occupied by the senior citizen. This fee waiver will only apply to repairs or maintenance conducted on a primary residence, and will not apply to improvements intended only to increase the square footage of the dwelling unit where construction is being performed.
Under current law, municipalities have the discretion to grant a building permit fee exemption for certain improvements intended to make public or private facilities more accessible to persons with physical disabilities.
