Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Commercial Property Alert: New Jersey Law Imposes Notification Requirements for Rooftop Solar Panels
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: March 18, 2014
Key Contacts
Back
Solar panels are an increasingly popular way for New Jersey commercial property owners to both reduce energy costs and protect the environment.
In fact, the latest statistics show that a new system is installed in the United States approximately every four minutes.
Unfortunately, roof-mounted solar panels can pose dangerous risks for emergency responders in the event of a fire. In response, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie recently signed Assembly Bill A-266 (S-507) into law.
The law was precipitated by a September 2013 warehouse fire in Delanco that resulted in a total loss, in part because firefighters could not fight the fire from above due to the electrocution risk posed by thousands of solar panels mounted to the roof of the building. The danger is that panels continue to transmit electrical current even after power in the building is turned off.
The new law imposes several new requirements on property owners, which are designed to give firefighters advance notice of rooftop solar panels. Building owners must provide a written notification to the local fire official regarding the existence of rooftop solar panels. For new installations, permit granting agencies must, within 10 days after issuance, file a copy of the permit with the local fire official serving the municipality in which the residential structure or nonresidential structure is located.
Under the new law, commercial property owners will also be required to place an identifying emblem displaying the letters “S/P” be next to the main entrance of a building if solar panels are attached to the roof. The requirement is similar to existing laws that require building owners to display the letter “F” to signify a floor with truss construction. This requirement does not apply to one or two family residential structures.
New Jersey businesses are advised to keep the new law and the associated fire risks in mind when contemplating the installation of solar panels.
If you have any questions about the new law or would like to discuss how it may impact your business, please contact me, Victor Kinon, or the Scarinci Hollenbeck attorney with whom you work.
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
Does Your Homeowners Insurance Provide Adequate Coverage?
Your home is likely your greatest asset, which is why it is so important to adequately protect it. Homeowners insurance protects you from the financial costs of unforeseen losses, such as theft, fire, and natural disasters, by helping you rebuild and replace possessions that were lost While the definition of “adequate” coverage depends upon a […]
Author: Jesse M. Dimitro
Understanding the Importance of a Non-Contingent Offer
Making a non-contingent offer can dramatically increase your chances of securing a real estate transaction, particularly in competitive markets like New York City. However, buyers should understand that waiving contingencies, including those related to financing, or appraisals, also comes with significant risks. Determining your best strategy requires careful analysis of the property, the market, and […]
Author: Jesse M. Dimitro
Fred D. Zemel Appointed Chair of Strategic Planning at Scarinci & Hollenbeck, LLC
Business Transactional Attorney Zemel to Spearhead Strategic Initiatives for Continued Growth and Innovation Little Falls, NJ – February 21, 2025 – Scarinci & Hollenbeck, LLC is pleased to announce that Partner Fred D. Zemel has been named Chair of the firm’s Strategic Planning Committee. In this role, Mr. Zemel will lead the committee in identifying, […]
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Novation Agreement Process: Step-by-Step Guide for Businesses
Big changes sometimes occur during the life cycle of a contract. Cancelling a contract outright can be bad for your reputation and your bottom line. Businesses need to know how to best address a change in circumstances, while also protecting their legal rights. One option is to transfer the “benefits and the burdens” of a […]
Author: Dan Brecher
What Is a Trade Secret? Key Elements and Legal Protections Explained
What is a trade secret and why you you protect them? Technology has made trade secret theft even easier and more prevalent. In fact, businesses lose billions of dollars every year due to trade secret theft committed by employees, competitors, and even foreign governments. But what is a trade secret? And how do you protect […]
Author: Ronald S. Bienstock
What Is Title Insurance? Safeguarding Against Title Defects
If you are considering the purchase of a property, you may wonder — what is title insurance, do I need it, and why do I need it? Even seasoned property owners may question if the added expense and extra paperwork is really necessary, especially considering that people and entities insured by title insurance make fewer […]
Author: Patrick T. Conlon
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Commercial Property Alert: New Jersey Law Imposes Notification Requirements for Rooftop Solar Panels
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Solar panels are an increasingly popular way for New Jersey commercial property owners to both reduce energy costs and protect the environment.
In fact, the latest statistics show that a new system is installed in the United States approximately every four minutes.
Unfortunately, roof-mounted solar panels can pose dangerous risks for emergency responders in the event of a fire. In response, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie recently signed Assembly Bill A-266 (S-507) into law.
The law was precipitated by a September 2013 warehouse fire in Delanco that resulted in a total loss, in part because firefighters could not fight the fire from above due to the electrocution risk posed by thousands of solar panels mounted to the roof of the building. The danger is that panels continue to transmit electrical current even after power in the building is turned off.
The new law imposes several new requirements on property owners, which are designed to give firefighters advance notice of rooftop solar panels. Building owners must provide a written notification to the local fire official regarding the existence of rooftop solar panels. For new installations, permit granting agencies must, within 10 days after issuance, file a copy of the permit with the local fire official serving the municipality in which the residential structure or nonresidential structure is located.
Under the new law, commercial property owners will also be required to place an identifying emblem displaying the letters “S/P” be next to the main entrance of a building if solar panels are attached to the roof. The requirement is similar to existing laws that require building owners to display the letter “F” to signify a floor with truss construction. This requirement does not apply to one or two family residential structures.
New Jersey businesses are advised to keep the new law and the associated fire risks in mind when contemplating the installation of solar panels.
If you have any questions about the new law or would like to discuss how it may impact your business, please contact me, Victor Kinon, or the Scarinci Hollenbeck attorney with whom you work.