Jersey City Building Inspections - Ordinance 21-054

overview

Jersey City has become home to many high-rise buildings, now rivaling Manhattan for skyline bragging rights. However, unlike NYC, Jersey City has not required structural and façade safety inspections for these properties. In response to growing concerns about building safety, underscored by the sudden collapse of a south Florida residential tower in June 2021, Jersey City enacted a new ordinance in August 2021 requiring structural and façade inspections of its buildings.

Ord. 21-054

The new ordinance amends the Chapter 254 (Property Maintenance) and Chapter 160 (Fees and Charges) of the Code of City of Jersey City for the inspection requirements summarized below.

Structural Inspections & Report Filing Timeline

• Applicable to all concrete buildings greater than six (6) stories in height.
• Structural inspections must be conducted every ten (10) years by a licensed architect or engineer.
• Initial Inspections must be completed by December 31, 2022, and a written Structural Inspection report filed within thirty (30) days of the inspections.

Façade Inspections & Report Filing Timeline

• Applicable to all buildings greater than six (6) stories in height, or masonry façade buildings greater than four (4) stories in height.
• Façade inspections must be conducted every five (5) years by a licensed architect or engineer.
• Initial inspections must be completed by December 31, 2023, and a written Façade Inspection report be filed within thirty (30) days the inspection.

How We Can Help

Thornton Tomasetti’s Renewal practice provides property owners and managers with solutions to a wide range of structural and façade needs for properties of every use, age and construction type. We have a tremendous amount of experience performing structural and façade assessments in cities throughout the U.S., including decades of expertise with New York City’s FISP.

Our local team of engineering and architectural experts is ready to help you with all your needs related to Ord. 21-054 inspections, and any required follow-on measures – including preparing and filing repair documents, assisting with contractor bidding, and performing construction phase services.