Section 52:27D-131.4 - [Effective 12/1/2024] Self-certification program established, design professionalsa. The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall establish a self-certification program through which a qualified design professional shall be permitted to:(1) take responsibility for a project's compliance with the State Uniform Construction Code, and(2) self-certify that an application for a construction permit and the plans and specifications submitted therewith comply with the State Uniform Construction Code and the requirements of other applicable laws.b. Self-certification pursuant to P.L.2024, c.58 (C.52:27D-131.2 et seq.) shall be available for repair, renovation, alteration, and reconstruction projects, as defined by the State Uniform Construction Code, in the following use groups with the following square footage limitations:(1) Group B occupancies up to 9,000 square feet;(2) Group F-1 occupancies up to 8,500 square feet;(3) Group F-2 occupancies up to 13,000 square feet;(4) Group M occupancies up to 9,000 square feet;(5) Group R-1 occupancies up to 7,000 square feet;(6) Group R-2 occupancies up to 7,000 square feet;(7) Group R-3 occupancies up to 4,800 square feet;(8) Group R-4 occupancies up to 7,000 square feet;(9) Group R-5 occupancies up to 4,800 square feet;(10) Group S-1 occupancies up to 9,000 square feet; and(11) Group S-2 occupancies up to 13,500 square feet.c. The commissioner, by adoption of regulations after consultation with the code advisory board, may extend authorization to participate in the self-certification program to projects in addition to those specified in subsection b. of this section, including, but not limited to, projects involving: additional categories of work, additional use groups, more extensive square footage limitations, and projects and submittals specified in subsection d. of this section.d. Self-certification pursuant to P.L.2024, c.58 (C.52:27D-131.2 et seq.) shall not be available for any of the following types of projects and submittals, unless the commissioner, by regulation, extends authorization for that type of project or submittal in the self-certification program:(1) projects where plan review is reserved solely to the Department of Community Affairs;(2) projects that include a new commercial kitchen;(3) projects that include new electrical service exceeding 400 amps;(4) projects that include structural alterations involving lateral design, or any project that requires a special inspection pursuant to the State Uniform Construction Code; and(5) prototype plan submittals.e. The enforcing agency shall, within one to five calendar days following receipt of a self-certified construction permit application and accompanying plans and specifications, conduct a supervisory check of the application materials to ascertain receipt of all materials necessary to support issuance of the construction permit and, upon acknowledgement of receipt of those materials, issue a construction permit. A permit issued under the self-certification program shall have the same force and effect as a permit issued by an enforcing agency after full examination and approval of the construction documents. Except as otherwise provided in the State Uniform Construction Code, or in the rules of the department, an approved application for a construction permit, plans, or specifications or the approval of similar construction documents, shall be deemed to refer to accepted, self-certified construction documents or to the acceptance of construction documents, as applicable.f. The commissioner shall establish requirements for design professionals to qualify to participate in the self-certification program, which shall include, but not be limited to:(1) current licensure as a design professional;(2) current licensure by the department to inspect high-rise and hazardous structures for the applicable State Uniform Construction Code subcode jurisdiction;(3) authorization granted by the department; and(4) proof of, or a certificate demonstrating, professional liability insurance coverage, issued by an insurer authorized to provide insurance coverage in the State of New Jersey, which provides coverage with limits that are no less than $500,000 per claim, and $1,000,000 in the aggregate, for all claims made during the policy period.g. The self-certification program shall include a condition that the qualified design professional of record remain with the project until the enforcing agency signs off on the project through the issuance of a letter of completion or certificate of approval. If the qualified design professional of record withdraws from a project before the enforcing agency's issuance of a letter of completion or certificate of approval, all work shall cease and no permit, letter of completion, or certificate of approval shall be issued until:(1) a successor qualified design professional is designated as the qualified design professional of record and satisfies the requirements set forth in this section; and(2)(a) the successor qualified design professional submits a professional certification confirming the qualified design professional's concurrence with the construction documents accepted by the enforcing agency; or(b) new construction documents are approved or accepted by the enforcing agency.Added by L. 2024, c. 58,s. 3, eff. 12/1/2024.