This bill mandates that municipal authorities in New Jersey, established under P.L.1957, c.183 (C.40:14B-1 et seq.), are responsible for the inspection, maintenance, and repair of fire hydrants located on streets and roads within planned real estate developments, similar to their responsibilities for hydrants on public streets. The bill emphasizes that these authorities must treat hydrants in planned developments with the same level of care and attention as those in public areas, regardless of whether the roads in question are dedicated to the municipality.
Additionally, the bill provides a definition for "planned real estate development," describing it as any real property in the state that consists of separately owned areas offered under a common promotional plan, excluding timeshares. The intent behind this legislation is to promote public safety and ensure equitable treatment for residents in planned developments, ensuring that all fire hydrants are adequately maintained to provide reliable access to water in emergencies.