Electronic Plan Review
Only those who submit plans to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) are required to use the ePlans Electronic Plan Review System. Municipalities ARE NOT required to use ePlans unless submitting directly to the DCA.
In an effort to implement a system to streamline and modernize the State's plan review process, the Department of Community Affairs' Division of Codes and Standards launched ePlans, a web-based electronic plan and document workflow solution that automates the plan submission, review and approval process through the use of digital files. ePlans allows all stages of the review process to be transmitted electronically via the internet, thus eliminating paper-based building and code review processes and reducing the amount of time between plan submission and final approval.
Click on the link below to access the ePlans login page.
Click on the link below to access the ePlans User Guide.
ePlans User Guide
Most architects and engineers already work with digital plans, making the printing of paper copies an unnecessary step. Some benefits to the ePlan review system are listed below:
- The system is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week from any device that has internet access
- Eliminates printing, delivery and storage costs associated with paper plans
- Provides transparency and auditability throughout review process
- Significant time savings resulting from elimination of shipping and delivery process associated with paper plans
- Storage of plans is now easier to manage for archive and disaster recovery purposes
ePlans will be extended to all building projects that require plans from a licensed architect or engineer. When a citizen (architect, engineer, contractor, owner) submits an application for a construction or land use permit requiring drawing plans and other documents, ePlans will invite the applicant to a "project" where the applicant can upload electronic plan files. Bureau of Construction Project Review staff will then have access to the plans, and use the ePlans workflow, collaboration and view/markup tools to complete the initial review. Required changes are noted on the files and then communicated to the applicant, who makes the noted revisions to the original files and then resubmits revised files back into ePlans. The review cycle continues until all the regulatory requirements are satisfied and the DCA grants approval for the plans.
Exceptions to using the ePlans system can be made under certain circumstances, but approval has to be sought from the Bureau Chief at the Department of Community Affairs.
Any paper projects that are already in progress will remain paper based. There are currently no plans to convert them to electronic plans. However, the ePlans system is now extended to all projects that require plans from a licensed architect or engineer
As per the requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, section 5:23-2.15(f)4i(1), plans for new projects that are submitted for review will be reviewed and comments sent out in no later than 20 business days. Resubmissions of corrected plans will be reviewed and comments sent out in no later than 7 business days. These are time limits set by regulation. Actual review times may be less depending on the workload in the office at the time of your submittal.
Once review is complete, the applicant will receive notification via email.
At the end of the project, the project professionals will need to print, sign and seal the drawing sets that will be presented to municipalities for permitting.
- Digital Seals for ePLANS
Click on the above link to access information on digital seals. - ePlans User Guide
Click on the above link to access the ePlans User Guide. - ePlans Login Page
Click on the above link to access the ePlans login page. - ePlans Brochure
Click on the above link to access the ePlans brochure containing information and testimonials about the system. - Educational materials
Videos - coming soon