Cal. Civ. Code § 5:10-1.5
Interpretation
Operative Text
(a) This chapter shall be liberally interpreted to secure the beneficial purposes thereof. (b) Any conflict or inconsistency between the requirements of these regulations and applicable local and Federal laws and regulations shall be resolved in favor of the more restrictive requirements. (c) Whenever any standard or code is referred to in this chapter the most recent edition of such standard or code shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference, notwithstanding the fact that such edition may have been published subsequent to enactment of the regulation in which the reference to such standard or code is contained.
N.J.A.C. § 5:10-1.5 establishes three interpretive rules that govern how the entire chapter is read and applied. First, the chapter's requirements are to be construed broadly in favor of achieving their protective goals. Second, when these regulations conflict with local or federal rules, whichever set of requirements is stricter controls. Third, any reference to an external standard or code automatically incorporates the most current edition of that standard, even if a newer edition was published after the regulation was originally enacted.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.J.A.C. § 5:10-1.5, compliant property operators generally stay current with the latest editions of any technical standards or codes referenced in the chapter, since those updated editions are automatically incorporated by law. When local municipal requirements or federal rules impose stricter obligations than the state chapter, operators apply the more demanding standard. Because the chapter is interpreted liberally toward its protective purposes, operators typically err on the side of fuller compliance rather than narrower readings of ambiguous provisions.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.A.C. § 5:10-1.5 is designed to work in favor of the chapter's protective purposes, which generally benefits occupants when disputes arise over how a rule should be read. If a local ordinance or federal regulation offers stronger protections than the state chapter, tenants may be able to invoke those stricter requirements, since this provision directs that the more restrictive standard prevails. Tenants who believe a property owner is relying on an outdated code edition or a narrow reading of the chapter's requirements may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with New Jersey housing law for general information about available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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