New Jersey’s 2024 Condo Safety Law: Partner with Penn Valley Engineering for Compliance in South Jersey and Pennsylvania
On January 8, 2024, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law S2760/A4384, known as the Structural Integrity Bill. It marked a significant step toward ensuring the safety of condominiums and cooperatives across the state. Prompted by the tragic 2021 collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, which claimed 98 lives, this legislation mandates rigorous structural inspections and capital reserve studies to protect residents and prevent future tragedies. As leading South Jersey structural engineers based in Cinnaminson, NJ, Penn Valley Engineering is uniquely positioned to help community associations in South Jersey and Pennsylvania comply with this law. Here’s what you need to know and how we can ensure your building’s safety and compliance.
Understanding New Jersey’s Condo Safety Law (S2760/A4384)
New Jersey is the second state, following Florida, to enact legislation aimed at safeguarding the structural integrity of residential condominiums and co-ops. The law, effective immediately, addresses aging infrastructure by requiring regular inspections of primary load-bearing systems and financial planning through reserve studies. Developed with input from the Community Associations Institute New Jersey Chapter (CAI-NJ), this legislation ensures that condo and co-op associations in South Jersey, including Cinnaminson, are prepared for maintenance and repairs, protecting residents and property values.
Structural Inspection Requirements
The law applies to “covered buildings”—residential condominiums and co-ops with primary load-bearing systems made of concrete, masonry, steel, or hybrid structures (e.g., heavy timber, podium decks). Excluded structures include single-family homes, rental-only buildings, and wood-frame constructions without podium decks. Key inspection requirements include:
Timelines:
– Buildings over 15 years old as of January 8, 2024, must complete a structural inspection by January 8, 2026.
– Newer buildings require inspection within one year of reaching 15 years from their certificate of occupancy.
– Follow-up inspections are required every 10 years for buildings under 20 years old, or every 5 years for those over 20 years old. If damage is observed, re-inspections must occur within 60 days.
Qualified Inspectors: Inspections must be conducted by New Jersey-licensed engineers with specific qualifications, such as those at Penn Valley Engineering. Our team in Cinnaminson, NJ, is experienced in assessing primary load-bearing systems, including columns, beams, foundations, and balconies.
Reporting: Inspectors must provide detailed reports outlining the condition of the structure, necessary repairs, and the next inspection date. These reports are shared with owners, residents, and local authorities for transparency.
For buildings undergoing conversion to condos or co-ops, a structural inspection report is required. This is part of the Planned Real Estate Full Disclosure registration process, ensuring safety from the outset.
Capital Reserve Study Requirements
To ensure funds for repairs, the law mandates capital reserve studies for associations with over $25,000 in common area capital assets:
Frequency: Studies must be updated every 5 years. Associations without a current study or with one older than 5 years as of January 8, 2024, have until January 8, 2025, to complete one. New associations have 2 years post-board election.
Professionals: Studies must be conducted by a CAI-accredited Reserve Specialist, New Jersey-licensed engineer, or architect. Our Cinnaminson-based engineers are qualified to deliver comprehensive reserve studies tailored to your community’s needs.
Funding Plans: Studies include a 30-year funding plan to cover repairs without relying on special assessments or loans. Associations with funding shortfalls requiring over a 10% assessment increase have up to 10 years to comply. Those needing less than 10% must comply within 2 years.
Developer Responsibilities
Developers of new condos or co-ops must provide a preventative maintenance document outlining maintenance schedules for common area components. Doing so ensures associations are equipped to maintain structural integrity from day one.
Enforcement and Penalties
Non-compliance may lead to serious consequences. These may include fines, legal action, or even revocation of certificates of occupancy by local municipalities. In South Jersey, where aging condo buildings are common, proactive compliance is critical. Act now to avoid costly penalties and ensure resident safety.
Why Penn Valley Engineering is Your Trusted Partner
Located in Cinnaminson, NJ, Penn Valley Engineering has served South Jersey and Pennsylvania for years, offering unparalleled expertise in structural engineering. Our services align perfectly with the new law’s requirements:
Condo Structural Inspections: Our New Jersey-licensed engineers conduct thorough assessments of primary load-bearing systems, delivering detailed reports to ensure compliance and safety.
Capital Reserve Studies: We provide customized reserve studies with 30-year funding plans, helping associations in South Jersey and Pennsylvania avoid financial surprises.
Local Expertise: As a Cinnaminson structural engineering firm, we understand the unique needs of communities in Burlington County, Camden County, and beyond, including coastal areas such as the Jersey Shore, where corrosion risks are high.
Preventative Maintenance Planning: We assist developers and associations in creating maintenance schedules to maintain structural integrity over time.
Why This Law Matters in South Jersey and Pennsylvania
In South Jersey, particularly in urban and coastal areas such as Cinnaminson, Cherry Hill, and the Jersey Shore, many condos and co-ops are aging. The Structural Integrity Bill is critical for resident safety. While the law is New Jersey-specific, Pennsylvania associations can benefit from adopting similar proactive measures, especially for older buildings. Regular inspections and reserve studies preserve property values, prevent costly repairs, and provide peace of mind.
Act Now with Penn Valley Engineering
Don’t wait until the January 2025 or January 2026 deadlines to comply with New Jersey’s condo safety law. Penn Valley Engineering is ready to help your community in South Jersey or Pennsylvania meet these requirements. Contact us at (856) 872-3537 or fill out our contact form to schedule your structural inspection or capital reserve study. As trusted South Jersey structural engineers, we’re committed to keeping your community safe and compliant.
Protect your residents and property with Penn Valley Engineering—your local experts in Cinnaminson, NJ.
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