TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew and Senator Nicholas Scutari that would expedite the approval process for individuals with disabilities seeking the construction of a wheelchair ramp on their home is now law.
The new law (S1336) gives an agency five business days to make the decision on whether or not a property can be approved for a permit to build a wheelchair ramp; previously an agency had 20 days to make the decision.
“This is an important step forward in helping our residents who need accommodations to access their homes,” said Senator Van Drew (D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic). “This will ease the approval process for seniors, wounded veterans and anyone else who is seeking the construction of a ramp, by expediting the timeframe for review and approval of the application.”
This law is strictly for wheelchair ramps. All other construction permits are still given the 20-day time frame for approval. This law would apply only to a wheelchair ramp of a one- or two-unit residential dwelling where the ramp is required for a resident to access the dwelling.
“This is about timing. Individuals who need a ramp to access their home shouldn’t have to wait 20 days for a decision as to whether the project is approved for construction. This new law will speed the permitting process,” said Senator Scutari (D-Middlesex, Union, Somerset).
The bill passed both houses unanimously; the law takes effect immediately.