Compliance Inspections are Coming to Jersey City!

After the tragic collapse of the Champlain Tower in Surfside, Florida, Jersey City is taking steps to increase safety requirements for structural and façade inspections for all Jersey City high-rise buildings to better protect residents.

The new enhancements will require initial:

• Structural inspections to be completed by December 31^st of next year (2022), kicking-off the 10-year cycle for regular inspections
• Façade inspections to be completed by December 31^st of 2023, beginning the 5-year cycle for such inspections.

This new legislation amends Jersey City’s Property Maintenance Codes to strengthen the requirements set forth for all residential and non-residential building owners and managers to ensure buildings are adequately maintained and structurally sound.  

The amendments address both interior and exterior safety requirements, as follows:

• Structural Inspections: All concrete residential and commercial buildings above six stories must perform a visual structural inspection by a licensed third-party architect or engineer at least every ten years. The inspection shall include but not be limited to structural foundations, balconies, any appurtenant structures, all structural members, and waterproofing conditions.
• Façade Inspections: Owners of buildings above six stories or with masonry facades of four stories or more must have exterior walls and appurtenances inspected by a licensed third-party architect or engineer every five years.

The licensed architect or engineer must subsequently prepare and submit the associated report (Structural Inspection Report or Façade Inspection Report) to the City’s Division of Construction Code Official.   

HLZAE is here to help and can perform the necessary inspections and file the report to each Division on behalf of your building before the upcoming deadlines. Let us know how we can help you get started to ensure the safety of your building