Governor Phil Murphy has signed into law landmark legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Avi Schnall (D-30) that reforms New Jersey’s construction inspection process, delivering long-sought relief to contractors, builders, and small businesses across the state.
The new law requires construction inspectors to provide a defined four-hour arrival window for inspections, replacing the longstanding practice of offering only a date with no time certainty. The reform is designed to reduce wasted workdays, minimize project delays, and bring greater predictability to construction schedules.
“This is a common-sense fix to a system that hasn’t kept pace with the realities of modern construction,” said Assemblyman Schnall. “For too long, contractors were forced to sit idle for an entire day waiting for an inspector who might arrive at any time — or not at all. This law respects the value of people’s time, reduces unnecessary costs, and helps projects move forward more efficiently.”
The bill was approved unanimously by the Assembly after incorporating Governor Murphy’s recommended change expanding the original proposed inspection window to four hours. Legislative leaders said the final version strikes the right balance between predictability for builders and operational flexibility for local inspection departments.
Under prior law, inspectors were only required to specify the date of an inspection, often leaving contractors tethered to job sites for an entire day or facing canceled inspections if they stepped away briefly. Industry groups have long argued that the system created avoidable inefficiencies, increased costs, and slowed housing and commercial development.
“This reform doesn’t cut corners or weaken oversight,” Schnall said. “It modernizes how inspections are scheduled while preserving safety and accountability. It’s about running government in a way that works better for the people who rely on it.”
Assemblyman Schnall thanked Governor Murphy for working collaboratively to strengthen the legislation and for signing it into law.
“I appreciate the Governor’s partnership and his commitment to practical reforms that make New Jersey more efficient and more competitive,” Schnall said. “This law is a win for contractors, municipalities, and anyone who wants to see projects completed on time and on budget.”
