N.J. Stat. Ann. § 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-11
Conversion or alteration of existing buildings; exception from regulations; written notice to occupants of exceptions which affect safety
Operative Text
(a) Upon the application of the owner of any hotel or multiple dwelling, or any building not constructed for use as a hotel or multiple dwelling but which has been or shall be converted or altered to such use, the commissioner may grant exceptions from the literal requirements of any regulation issued pursuant to sections 7 and 8 of this act. No such exceptions shall be granted in any particular case unless the commissioner shall find: (1) that strict compliance with any such regulation, if required, would result in undue hardship to such owner; and (2) that the exception, if granted, will not unreasonably jeopardize the health, safety and welfare of intended occupants and the public generally. (b) An application for an exception pursuant to this section shall be filed in writing with the commissioner, and shall set forth specifically: (1) a statement of the requirements of the regulation from which an exception is sought; (2) a statement of the manner by which strict compliance with said regulation would result in undue hardship; (3) a statement of the nature and extent of such undue hardship; and (4) a statement of feasible alternatives to the requirements of the regulation which would adequately protect the health, safety and welfare of the occupants or intended occupants and the public generally. (c) Within the 30 days next succeeding the receipt by the commissioner of an application for an exception, the commissioner shall grant or deny said application by written order, stating therein the reason or reasons for the grant or denial of said application. The commissioner shall maintain records of all applications for exceptions, and the action taken thereon, and shall make such records reasonably available for public inspection. (d) The owner of each hotel or of each multiple dwelling granted an exception to any regulation which shall be deemed to affect the safety of the occupants of the structure by the commissioner shall provide to every applicant or occupant of such hotel or multiple dwelling a written notice citing the specific regulation for which an exception has been granted and stating the exceptions thereto granted by the commissioner to the owner of such hotel or multiple dwelling. Such written notice shall, in the case of a hotel or motel, be posted in a prominent place freely accessible to the occupants and to the general public, and, in the case of a multiple dwelling, such written notice shall be attached to the lease of each affected dwelling unit, and, in the case of a school dormitory, such written notice shall be attached to the housing agreement of each affected housing unit. In the case of exceptions granted to common areas in a multiple dwelling or in a school dormitory, such written notice shall be attached to all leases or housing agreements, as appropriate. L.1967, c. 76, s. 11, eff. May 31, 1967. Amended by L.1979, c. 65, s. 1.
Under N.J.S.A. 55:13A-11, the state commissioner overseeing hotel and multiple dwelling regulations may grant an owner relief from strict compliance with certain building standards when two conditions are met: the strict rule would impose an undue hardship on the owner, and the exception would not unreasonably endanger occupants or the public. The application process is formal and written, and the commissioner must act within 30 days, issuing a written order with stated reasons. Crucially, when an exception touches on occupant safety, the owner must notify tenants in writing—through lease attachments in residential buildings or posted notices in hotels—so that occupants are aware of any regulatory departures affecting their safety.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers seeking relief under N.J.S.A. 55:13A-11 generally prepare a thorough written application that identifies the specific regulation at issue, explains the nature and extent of the hardship strict compliance would create, and proposes feasible alternatives that still protect occupant health and safety. Compliant operators keep records of the commissioner's written order and any correspondence related to the exception. When an exception is granted that the commissioner deems safety-related, operators in the multiple dwelling context attach the required written notice to each affected unit's lease—or post it prominently in hotels—and extend that notice to all leases or housing agreements when common areas are involved.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under N.J.S.A. 55:13A-11, tenants in hotels and multiple dwellings have a right to be informed in writing whenever their landlord has been granted an exception to a safety-related regulation—this notice should be attached to the lease for residential units or posted visibly in hotels. If a tenant believes this disclosure was not provided or that an exception was improperly granted, they may review the commissioner's publicly available records of exception applications and actions taken. Tenants who have concerns about whether proper procedures were followed can consult a tenant-rights organization or seek guidance from a housing attorney familiar with New Jersey's Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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