N.J. Stat. Ann. § 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-5
Board of Housing Inspection abolished; powers, functions, duties transferred
Operative Text
5. (a) The Board of Housing Inspection heretofore constituted in the Division of Housing and Urban Renewal in the Department of Community Affairs by section 23 of chapter 293 of the laws of 1966 is hereby abolished, except that the powers, functions and duties of said Board of Housing Inspection are hereby transferred to and vested in the commissioner. (b) The office of supervisor of hotel fire safety heretofore constituted in the Bureau of Housing Inspection of the Division of Housing and Urban Renewal in the Department of Community Affairs by section 24 of chapter 293 of the laws of 1966 is hereby abolished, except that the powers, functions and duties of said office of supervisor of hotel fire safety are hereby transferred to and vested in the commissioner. L.1967, c.76, s.5; amended 2013, c.253, s.54.
Section 55:13A-5 of New Jersey law reorganized the administrative structure overseeing housing inspection in the state. It abolished two previously existing bodies—the Board of Housing Inspection and the office of supervisor of hotel fire safety—both of which had been created under a 1966 law within the Department of Community Affairs. All of the powers, functions, and duties those bodies once held were transferred to and consolidated under the Commissioner of Community Affairs, centralizing authority over housing and hotel fire safety oversight.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.J.S.A. 55:13A-5, the regulatory authority that once resided in the Board of Housing Inspection and the hotel fire safety supervisor's office now rests with the Commissioner of Community Affairs. Property owners and managers subject to New Jersey's hotel and multiple dwelling inspection requirements should direct compliance inquiries, respond to inspection notices, and address enforcement actions through the Commissioner's office and its designated bureaus. Operators of hotels and rooming houses in particular should be aware that hotel fire safety oversight functions were folded into this consolidated authority.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 55:13A-5 means that the state official responsible for housing inspection authority in New Jersey is the Commissioner of Community Affairs, who inherited all powers previously held by the abolished Board of Housing Inspection. Tenants in inspected dwellings who have concerns about habitability or fire safety conditions can direct complaints to the Department of Community Affairs, which administers these consolidated functions. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with New Jersey housing law can help residents understand which specific programs or inspection processes fall under the Commissioner's authority.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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