This South Jersey Town Sets Deadline For Compliance With NJ Law

More than a year after the state of New Jersey passed a new law requiring all business owners and rental property owners to maintain liability insurance, one South Jersey Municipality has taken the next step to enforce compliance of this state law.

This legislation was first brought to the New Jersey State Assembly in February of 2022 and signed into law in August, Bill S1368 requires all business owners and rental unit owners to have up-to-date liability property insurance for their properties. The law requires a minimum of $500,000 insured for any type of accident that could potentially happen on the property.  This is the state of New Jersey's latest effort to protect employees and customers along with Renters from being forced to pay for damages sustained by accidents or incidents that are not their fault.

At the Middle Township Committee Meeting on November 20th have set a deadline for all property owners of rental units and businesses to provide proof of insurance and pay for a license that verifies the owner has the liability insurance as required by New Jersey Law. Once a business produces valid proof of insurance, the owners will have to pay an annual fee of $75 for their license.

According to a press release from Middle Township, here is a further explanation of what this ordinance applies to:

"The Middle Township ordinance applies to permanent, year-round businesses as well as all transient and seasonal businesses, such as landscapers. Contractors, builders and other businesses that are based outside of Middle but operate within the Township also will need business registration licenses."

Like many New Jersey Municipalities, Middle Township is utilizing the GovPilot website for its online municipal licensing program. The website is used by many New Jersey Municipalities (including Middle Township) for OPRA requests, dog licenses, short-term rentals, and more government-related policy documents.

I am glad to see when South Jersey Municipalities enforce laws that protect citizens and stop wasting time making money with what could be classified as a "Ponzi Scheme" if the government wasn't involved.  The world would be a better place if the government operated with the Hippocratic Oath: "Do No Harm".