June 18, 2018 - DCA Issues Consumer Alert Regarding Lawn Sprinkler Systems

Landscape Irrigation Contractors Must be Certified by the State of New Jersey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, June 18, 2018

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Division of Codes and Standards today issued a consumer alert informing New Jersey residents who are planning to install or maintain an existing landscape irrigation system (lawn sprinkler system) that landscape irrigation contractors by law must be properly certified by the State of New Jersey. 

The Board of Landscape Irrigation Contractors, under the purview of DCA, is a regulatory board that governs the qualifications for certification as a landscape irrigation contractor. The Board ensures contractors are able to perform the construction, repair, maintenance, improvement, and alteration of any portion of a landscape irrigation system, including required wiring within that system and connection to the required power supply and the installation and connection to a public or private water supply system under the terms and conditions of a contract. Certified contractors are also required to provide proof of insurance. 

Using a State-certified landscape irrigation contractor is not only legally required, but benefits consumers by ensuring contractors are trained on proper installation and water conservation, which protects the environment and saves the consumer money on their water bills. 

A list of certified landscape irrigation contractors and valid business permits can be found on the DCA website at: 

Certified Landscape Irrigation Contractors:

http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/offices/landscape-export/docs/certified_contractor.pdf 

Certified Landscape Irrigation Business Permits

http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/offices/landscape-export/docs/business_permit.pdf. 

Contractors not on the approved list of contractors are not certified and should not be used to complete installation or maintenance projects. 

Consumers with questions regarding the certification of landscape irrigation contractors, or who wish to report a contractor who does not hold the certification, can call (609) 984-7834 or send an email to LIC@dca.nj.gov. 

The Division of Codes and Standards establishes and enforces building codes, in partnership with the state's municipalities, to protect the health and safety of New Jersey residents. 

Established in 1967, DCA offers a wide range of programs and services that respond to issues of public concern including affordable housing production, fire safety and building safety, community planning and development, local government management and finance, and disaster recovery. 

For more information regarding DCA, please log on to http://www.nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on Twitter @NJDCA, Facebook /NJDeptofCommunityAffairs, and Instagram @nj_dca.