§ 52:27D-124 — Powers of the commissioner.

6. The commissioner shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to effectuate the purposes of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.), including, but not limited to, the following powers in addition to all others granted by P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.): a. To adopt, amend and repeal, after consultation with the code advisory board, rules: (1) relating to the administration and enforcement of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.) and (2) the qualifications or licensing, or both, of all persons employed by enforcing agencies of the State to enforce P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.) or the code, except that, plumbing inspectors shall be subject to the rules adopted by the commissioner only insofar as such rules are compatible with such rules and regulations, regarding health and plumbing for public and private buildings, as may be promulgated by the Public Health Council in accordance with Title 26 of the Revised Statutes. b. To enter into agreements with federal and State of New Jersey agencies, after consultation with the code advisory board, to provide insofar as practicable (1) single-agency review of construction plans and inspection of construction and (2) intergovernmental acceptance of such review and inspection to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and fees. The commissioner shall have the power to enter into such agreements although the federal standards are not identical with State standards; provided that the same basic objectives are met. The commissioner shall have the power through such agreements to bind the State of New Jersey and all governmental entities deriving authority therefrom. c. To take testimony and hold hearings relating to any aspect of or matter relating to the administration or enforcement of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.), including but not limited to prospective interpretation of the code so as to resolve inconsistent or conflicting code interpretations, and, in connection therewith, issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence. The commissioner may designate one or more hearing examiners to hold public hearings and report on such hearings to the commissioner. d. To encourage, support or conduct, after consultation with the code advisory board, educational and training programs for employees, agents and inspectors of enforcing agencies, either through the Department of Community Affairs or in cooperation with other departments of State government, enforcing agencies, educational institutions, or associations of code officials. e. To study the effect of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.) and the code to ascertain their effect upon the cost of building construction and maintenance, and the effectiveness of their provisions for insuring the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the State of New Jersey. f. To make, establish and amend, after consultation with the code advisory board, such rules as may be necessary, desirable or proper to carry out his powers and duties under P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.). g. To adopt, amend, and repeal rules and regulations providing for the charging of and setting the amount of fees for the following code enforcement services, licenses or approvals performed or issued by the department, pursuant to the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.): (1) Plan review, construction permits, certificates of occupancy, demolition permits, moving of building permits, elevator permits and sign permits; and (2) Review of applications for and the issuance of licenses certifying an individual's qualifications to act as a construction code official, subcode official or assistant under P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.). (3) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1983, c.338) h. To adopt, amend and repeal rules and regulations providing for the charging of and setting the amount of construction permit surcharge fees to be collected by the enforcing agency and remitted to the department to support those activities which may be undertaken with moneys credited to the Uniform Construction Code Revolving Fund. i. To adopt, amend and repeal rules and regulations providing for: (1) Setting the amount of and the charging of fees to be paid to the department by a private agency for the review of applications for and the issuance of approvals authorizing a private agency to act as an on-site inspection and plan review agency, a private on-site inspection agency, including a supplemental private on-site inspection agency, or an in-plant inspection agency; (2) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2005, c.212) (3) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2005, c.212) j. To enforce and administer the provisions of the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.) and the code promulgated thereunder, and to prosecute or cause to be prosecuted violators of the provisions of that act or the code promulgated thereunder in administrative hearings and in civil proceedings in State and local courts. k. To monitor the compliance of local enforcing agencies with the provisions of the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.), to order corrective action, or issue penalties, as may be necessary where a local enforcing agency is found to be failing to carry out its responsibilities under that act, to supplant or replace the local enforcing agency for a specific project, and to order it dissolved and replaced by the department where the local enforcing agency repeatedly or habitually fails to enforce the provisions of the "State Uniform Construction Code Act." This shall include the power to compel an enforcing agency to, within 15 business days, notify the department of any instance where the enforcing agency is unable to meet a deadline or other obligation imposed by law or regulation, and the power to order corrective action or issue penalties as may be necessary where an enforcing agency is unable to meet its obligations under P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.). l. To adopt, amend, and repeal rules and regulations implementing the provisions of P.L.1999, c.15, P.L.2003, c.44, and section 1 of P.L.2015, c.146 (C.52:27D-123f) concerning the installation and maintenance of carbon monoxide sensors. L.1975, c.217, s.6; amended 1979, c.121, s.1; 1983, c.338; 1985, c.21; 1993, c.47; 1999, c.15, s.4; 2003, c.44, s.2; 2005, c.212, s.1; 2015, c.146, s.2; 2022, c.139, s.1.