Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver

December 8, 2015 - Christie Administration Goes Digital with Electronic Plan Review System

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, December 8, 2015

 

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Use of ePlans Will Be Required Beginning January 1, 2016

 Trenton, NJ – New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Commissioner Charles A. Richman is reminding construction and design professionals that submit plans to the DCA that the Department has implemented "ePlans," a new web-based electronic plan review system. The DCA’s Division of Codes and Standards implemented "ePlans" in early 2015 to reduce the amount of paper, travel and other time and cost inefficiencies specifically associated with obtaining plan approvals. Beginning on January 1, 2016, the Department will require all plans to be submitted using the new online system.

"I would like to let all of our building partners know that we are now accepting plans online and　 will require the use of ePlans at the start of the New Year," said Richman. "We urge you to use the system as there are many benefits – ePlans will significantly reduce the printing costs associated with the amount paperwork needed to complete the plan review process and speed up approval times."

All state building projects that require plans from a licensed architect or engineer can be submitted through ePlans. When an architect, engineer, contractor, owner submits an application for a construction or land use permit requiring drawing plans and other documents, the Division’s Bureau of Construction Project Review will use ePlans to complete the initial review. Required changes are noted on the files and then communicated to the applicant, who can re-submit corrected plans electronically, 24/7, from the convenience of any computer. The review cycle continues until all the regulatory requirements are satisfied and the DCA grants approval for the plans.

ePlans provides a number benefits and cost-saving measures for both the community and the Department including:

• 24-hour access to the system from any computer
• Elimination of the need for paper plans to be manually printed and delivered
• Transparency and auditability
• Reduced turn-around time to review plans

The DCA will host a brief informational webinar for anyone interested in learning how the online application and upload process works. The webinar will be offered on December 10, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The Division of Codes and Standards provides plan review for large and complex structures for all projects reserved to the State, including health care facilities, state buildings and casinos, and for all municipalities whose local code officials are not licensed at the highest technical level. The Division also issues required construction permits for all construction projects undertaken in the aforementioned facilities and for projects undertaken by the New Jersey Schools Development Authority. Additionally, all required field inspection, plan review and release for all of NJ's public schools is carried out by the Division.

For more information about accessing DCA’s ePlans system, or to register for the upcoming ePlans webinar, visit: www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/offices/ePlans.html.