Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Register Your Hotel or Multiple Dwelling
Owners of hotels, motels and multiple dwellings are responsible for registering their buildings with the Bureau of Housing Inspection. To register your building please click here to access the DCA Service Portal.

Recertification
P.L.2019, c.202 requires owners of hotels and multiple dwellings to annually recertify the information on the certificate of registration is accurate and make needed updates. Recertification will be required one year from the current Certificate of Registration (COR) issued month effective July 1, Please visit the DCA Service Portal for a current copy of COR and to recertify when required.

Exemptions
** Condominiums, Cooperatives, Mutual Housing Corporations. Though the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law provides that multiple dwelling buildings having a condominium, cooperative or mutual housing corporation form of ownership are under the Bureau's jurisdiction, the law also exempts sections of such buildings that: 1) contain not more than four dwelling units, 2) have at least two exterior walls unattached to any adjoining building section and where attached, are attached exclusively by fire-resistant rated walls, and 3) contain dwelling units that are owner-occupied (if both owner- and non-owner-occupied units are contained therein, only the owner-occupied units are exempt).

All requests for exemption by way of Condominiums, Cooperatives, Mutual Housing Corporations must be in writing and submitted with all the required documentation as described above to the Bureau of Housing Inspection, EXEMPTIONS Section, PO Box 810, Trenton, NJ 08625-0810. Requests may also be emailed to BHIInspections@dca.nj.gov. Once a determination is made, approval or denial will be provided in writing.

** Fee Simple Ownership.  The term “Fee Simple” refers to each unit being owned individually and not in the condominium or cooperative form of ownership. The Bureau's policy regarding fee simple ownership in townhouse developments is as follows.

1. Developments involving fee simple ownership are not subject to the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law where the association has no residential building maintenance responsibility; however, in such cases, the association must provide the bureau with sufficient documentation demonstrating that ownership is fee simple and that individual owners, and not the association, are directly responsible for maintenance of the residential building (Documentation must include references to documents such as the association by-laws or contractual agreements between association and owner);
2. The term “common area”, should be clearly defined; for example the association may consider common area as property not directly associated with the residential building such as a pool, parking lot or lawn, however, common area may also be hallways, basements or exterior parts of the residential building such as siding, windows, doors or roof.
   
   

If the association is responsible for the maintenance of common areas involving the residential building(s), the Bureau must inspect the development.

All requests for exemption by way of fee simple ownership must be in writing and submitted with all the required documentation as described above to the Bureau of Housing Inspection, Registration Unit Section, PO Box 810, Trenton, NJ 08625-0810.  Requests may also be emailed to BHIRegistrations@dca.nj.gov . Once a determination is made, approval or denial will be provided in writing.

This unit handles all registration related issues including transferring, updating and correcting Certificates of Registrations.  The unit also notifies building owners for failure to register a building with the Bureau of Housing Inspection.

Lastly, this unit determines “Fee Simple” status for townhouse communities. The registration unit may be contacted at 609-633-6216 or emailed at BHIRegistrations@dca.nj.gov 

This section handles inspection fees, extensions, certificates of inspection or general code questions.

Additionally, the unit issues violation orders, penalties, and judgments for:

• failure to pay department inspection fees
• non-compliance with issued violations
• failure to pay fees and penalties

Lastly this unit processes hearing requests for contested cases. To contact a BHI representative regarding an appeal or hearing, please email BHIAppeals@dca.nj.gov.

To contact a representative regarding any of the above, please email the appropriate code compliance officer below　(Please include a detailed message including your name, a call back number, email address and the registration number or property address, including the county and municipality, you are inquiring about):

To contact a BHI representative regarding a judgment, judgment payoff or collection action, please email BHIJudgments@dca.nj.gov.

The Bureau is responsible for cyclical inspections and compliance inspections of hotels, motels, and multiple dwellings in municipalities within the State of New Jersey that do not participate in the State Local Cooperative housing Inspection Program (SLCHIP).

State Inspection Section – (609) 633-6227 or BHIInspections@dca.nj.gov  

The Bureau enforces the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law through the State Local Cooperative Housing Inspection Program (SLCHIP). Through the SLCHIP program licensed, local inspectors perform cyclical inspections and compliance inspections of hotels, motels and multiple dwellings and earn compensation for the municipality.

If your municipality is interested in joining the State Local Cooperative Housing Inspection Program follow the steps below:

• Forward a letter of interest from the Mayor's Office to BHISLCHIP@dca.nj.gov.
• After receipt of letter the bureau will forward a SLCHIP package which includes: conditions of authorization, payment schedule and a list of cyclical inspections due for the fiscal year.
• Once participation is approved, the bureau will forward a letter of authorization and SLCHIP Program agreement.
• The Mayor returns the signed agreement to join the SLCHIP program.
• A meeting is scheduled to discuss the program requirements.
• The Municipality must forward a resume, photocopy of multiple dwelling license and a conflict of interest form for each SLCHIP inspector.
• SLCHIP inspectors must possess the appropriate license issued by the State of New Jersey, Department of Community Affairs pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:10-1B.

• Affidavit for:
  • Fire Resistance Paint on Door
  • Fire Resistance Paint on Wall/Ceiling
  • Renovation
• Application for:
  • Certificate of Registration 
  • Exception
• Carbon Monoxide Alarms
• Condo, Co-Op, Mutual Housing Corp Exemptions
• Exempt multiple dwellings from P.L. 2021, c. 182 (Lead-based Paint Inspections in Rental Dwellings)
• Human Trafficking
• Lead Safe Maintenance for Tenants
• Lead Safety in 1- & 2-Family Rental Housing, Advisory
• Reduced Inspection Fee
• Structural Concerns in Existing Buildings (July 2021)
• Technical Bulletins
  • 1 - Rear Porch Enclosures
  • 2 - Door Closers
  • 3 - Exits That Do Not Discharge To A Public Way
  • 4 - Protection of Interior Exits
  • 5 - Electrical Facilities in Bathrooms and Toilet Rooms
• Tenant's Guide to Window Guard Safety
• Truth-in-Renting Guide:
  • English
  • Espanol

• NJSA 55:13A - Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law
• NJAC 5:10 - Maintenance of Hotels and Multiple Dwellings
• NJAC 5:10A - Proprietary Campground Facility Health and Safety Standards