N.J. Stat. Ann. § 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-13a
Conduct of inspections
Operative Text
a. Any inspection required under P.L. 1967, c. 76 (C. 55:13A-1 et seq.) shall be conducted by the commissioner except as provided in subsection b. of this section or where a municipality has a cooperative arrangement, with the bureau to perform these inspections in which case the inspection shall be conducted by the municipality; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall preclude the bureau from conducting inspections in any municipality for the purpose of monitoring or auditing the performance of local agencies, as provided hereinafter, or inspectors, or for the purpose of dealing with imminent hazards. b. In any municipality which maintains a permanent local agency for the purpose of conducting inspections and enforcing laws, ordinances and regulations concerning buildings and structures within the municipality, and such agency is supervised by, and has all hotel and multiple dwelling inspections performed by persons licensed by, the commissioner under this act, the municipal governing body may by ordinance designate that agency to conduct the inspections and enforce the regulations prescribed by or pursuant to P.L. 1967, c. 76 (C. 55:13A-1 et seq.). Where an ordinance is in effect all inspections required pursuant to P.L. 1967, c. 76 within the territorial limits of the municipality shall be conducted by the agency so designated, subject to the supervision and control of the commissioner; and all applications otherwise directed by law to be filed with the commissioner, and all fees and penalties otherwise to be imposed or collected by the commissioner, shall in such a municipality be filed with, or imposed or collected by, the local agency designated by ordinance pursuant to this subsection; provided, that in no case shall the local agency collect or impose a penalty in excess of the minimum amount which the commissioner is authorized by law to collect or impose for the same violation, or to assess a continuing penalty, without the written prior approval of the bureau. The commissioner shall have the power to order corrective action as may be necessary where a local agency is found to be failing to carry out its responsibilities under this act and to suspend the authority of the local agency under this subsection where the local agency repeatedly or habitually fails to enforce the "Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law," P.L. 1967, c. 76 (C. 55:13A-1 et seq.) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto. c. Any person affected by the determinations made pursuant to any inspection conducted under P.L. 1967, c. 76 (C. 55:13A-1 et seq.) may appeal those determinations to the Office of Administrative Law with the final decision to be issued by the commissioner; provided, however, that the cost of any such hearing to the department shall be borne by the local agency in any case where the inspection fee is required to be paid to a local agency or in which the notice, order or decision being contested was issued by a local agency. L. 1987, c. 30, s. 3.
Under N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-13a, inspections of hotels and multiple dwellings in New Jersey are generally carried out by the state commissioner, but municipalities may take on that role through cooperative arrangements or by local ordinance if they maintain a qualifying inspection agency staffed by commissioner-licensed inspectors. When a municipality assumes inspection authority by ordinance, it also collects the associated fees and penalties, though it cannot impose penalties beyond the minimum the commissioner is authorized to collect without the bureau's written approval. Anyone affected by an inspection determination has the right to appeal to the Office of Administrative Law, with the commissioner issuing the final decision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers of hotels and multiple dwellings should be aware that under N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-13a, the entity conducting their required inspections may be either the state bureau or a designated local agency, depending on whether their municipality has adopted an authorizing ordinance. Compliant operators typically determine which authority governs their property, direct required applications and fees to the correct agency, and respond promptly to any notices or orders issued by that authority. Because the commissioner retains supervisory power and can step in to address imminent hazards or audit local performance, operators generally maintain records that demonstrate ongoing compliance regardless of which agency conducts the inspection.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in hotels or multiple dwellings covered by N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-13a can take note that their building is subject to mandatory inspections conducted either by the state bureau or by a locally designated agency, both of which operate under the commissioner's oversight. If an inspection results in a determination that affects a tenant's living conditions, § 55:13A-13a provides a formal appeal pathway to the Office of Administrative Law, with the commissioner issuing the final decision. Tenants who believe inspection findings have been mishandled or that violations are going unenforced may consider contacting the state bureau directly, reaching out to their local housing agency, or consulting a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options.
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 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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