This bill amends the "State Uniform Construction Code Act" to allow owners, agents, or other responsible persons in charge of construction work to independently elect to contract with authorized private on-site inspection agencies for inspections, regardless of the circumstances. Previously, such contracting was only permitted if a local enforcing agency was unable to complete a requested inspection within three business days. The bill also introduces the ability to charge separate inspection fees and specifies that inspections can be conducted at agreed times outside of standard business hours if necessary.

Additionally, the bill removes a provision that required the Department of Community Affairs' authorization for owners to contract with private inspection agencies when local enforcing agencies repeatedly failed to conduct timely inspections. This change aims to streamline the inspection process and provide more flexibility for construction project oversight. The bill also mandates that enforcing agencies establish processes to ensure timely inspections and outlines the requirements for reporting and maintaining compliance with staffing levels and inspection logs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:27D-126, 52:27D-132