22. a. This act shall not be construed as authorizing the adoption of a regulation or the enactment of an ordinance requiring that a building conforming in all respects to the requirements of the “State Uniform Construction Code Act,” P.L.1975, c.217 (C. 52:27D-119 et seq.) be made to conform to more restrictive standards.

b. Buildings, structures and premises owned or operated by the State, its agencies, departments, or instrumentalities or an interstate agency shall be inspected exclusively by the Department of Community Affairs, and shall conform to this act in the same manner as all other buildings, structures and premises of similar construction and use classification. The department may establish fees and issue penalties against the State, its agency, department or instrumentality, or an interstate agency to obtain compliance with P.L.1983, c.383 (C. 52:27D-192 et seq.). For purposes of this section, a unit of local government, whether county, inter-local or municipal, or a local, county, regional or consolidated school district, shall not be deemed to be an instrumentality of the State.

c. Buildings, structures and premises subject to inspection for fire safety by an agency of the State shall be inspected by the agency in accordance with the standards established pursuant to this act. Any State fire safety standard for buildings, structures or premises established by or pursuant to any statute other than this act shall continue in effect until such time as that standard is superseded by appropriate regulations promulgated under this act. An agency of the State that enforced fire standards prior to the effective date of this act shall be entitled to petition the commissioner to establish a regulation establishing the standards it considers to be necessary and appropriate for buildings, structures and premises subject to its inspection.

L.1983,c.383,s.22; amended 1991, c.222; 2000, c.56, s.12.