Understanding Hackensack’s Parking Garage Ordinance

Parking garage owners, property managers, and multifamily building stakeholders across Hackensack—and throughout New Jersey—should pay close attention to Hackensack’s Ordinance 21-2011, which requires a licensed professional inspection and report every five years in response to the 2010 partial collapse. This mandate exists because unaddressed deterioration (salt, water infiltration, load stresses) can escalate into hazardous conditions and costly failures, while timely maintenance preserves asset value and reduces liability. As a parking garage restoration firm with extensive experience delivering projects in Hackensack under this ordinance, we are sharing key insights to help property owners and managers understand their obligations and how they are affected.

The ordinance details:

• Scope: Applies to all garages in Hackensack proper—not to detached wood frame garages.
• Frequency: Evaluations every five years, starting in 2011.
• Content: Licensed engineer’s report on structural integrity; detailed repair & maintenance schedule.
• Permits: Any repair work requiring permits must go through Hackensack’s Building Department.
• Escrow & fees: Submission of a $5,000 escrow deposit with the report, with additional deposits if needed; unused funds returned.

Why Hackensack Took This Step

The ordinance was a direct response to the 2010 collapse in Hackensack—a clear signal that complacency can have tragic consequences. The city’s ordinance aims to proactively identify structural vulnerabilities before they pose danger to public safety or liability issues.

Benefits & Broader Legacy of Periodic Garage Inspections

1. Public Safety First
   Parking garages are inherently vulnerable to hazards: vehicles track in salt and oil, weather and heavy loads stress structures, and water infiltration cracks concrete. If unchecked, this can lead to spalling, barrier cable failure, and catastrophic collapse—risking injury or death. Periodic inspections help catch these issues early.
2. Preventive Maintenance Saves Money
   Addressing minor deterioration before it worsens is far more cost-effective than sweeping post-failure repairs or legal settlements. Timely maintenance extends a garage’s usable lifespan, protecting value.
3. Mandates Reduce Liability
   In mandated jurisdictions, compliance deflects liability, reporting structural status can shield owners against negligence claims. Civil penalties, such as those in NYC ($1,000/month plus $5,000 annually), underline the stakes.
4. Public Trust & Transparency
   In NYC’s PIPS program and Hackensack’s system, inspection reports can be made public—or at least made available to regulators—boosting user confidence in facility safety.
5. Uniform Standards Across Jurisdictions
   Many NJ municipalities may not yet require inspections, but the logic does not vary: all garages face similar risks. Adopting a state‑wide standard—say, inspection every 5 or 6 years by a licensed professional can level the playing field.

Why All NJ Parking Structures Should Be Inspected & Repaired — With or Without Mandate

Even in municipalities without local inspection laws, every garage should be viewed as an asset requiring ongoing stewardship. Here’s why:

1. Exposure to the Elements

Open garages are subject to rain, freezing cycles, and salt exposure from road treatment are conditions that accelerate concrete delamination and rebar corrosion. Interiors fare better but still suffer degradation over time.

2. Accelerated Deterioration through Use

The everyday wear-and-tear of vehicles—constant braking, turning, idling—stresses joints, barrier cables, and surfaces. Without regular inspection, even small issues can grow quickly .

3. Hidden Structural Hazards

Issues like overhead concrete delamination can pose imminent risks to users and nearby structures. Inspections catch these before they manifest tragically.

4. Financial Prudence

Addressing small cracks or failing waterproofing early costs a fraction of major reconstruction after failure. Insurance premiums can also be lower when evidence of routine maintenance exists.

5. Liability Exposure

Even absent a mandate, owners can be held accountable for injuries tied to structural failure. Documented inspections demonstrate “reasonable care” and bolster the owner’s defense.

6. Community Assurance

Garages are public assets—visible, frequently used community infrastructure. Regular inspections show that the owner cares about public safety and local quality of life.

What Makes a Good Inspection Program?

To implement inspections that are truly effective:

1. Use Licensed Professionals
   A New Jersey P.E. specializing in structural engineering—or, for metro areas, a QPSI (Qualified Parking Structure Inspector)—should perform the evaluation.
2. Every 5–6 Years is Ideal
   Hackensack opted for 5‑year cycles. NYC, under Local Law 126, mandates 6‑year cycles. This cadence balances early detection with cost containment.
3. Thorough Scope
   Inspections should include:
   • Concrete condition (cracks, spalling, delamination)
   • Steel reinforcement condition and corrosion
   • Expansion joints, paving, drainage
   • Waterproofing systems
   • Barrier rails, signage, lighting, and safety features
4. Depth of Reporting
   Clear written assessments that categorize structures as “Safe,” “Safe with Repairs & Engineering Monitoring (SREM),” or “Unsafe” are essential
5. Actionable Repair Plans
   Reports should include timelines, cost estimates, and specification-ready documentation for contractors to execute.
6. Record-Keeping & Transparency
   Whether submitted to a local authority or retained internally, reports should be maintained and referenced before permitting.

Reflecting on NJ’s Future: A Call to Action

Hackensack’s ordinance offers a model for municipal governance—proactive, structured, and safety-first. But its logic holds true statewide:

• Uniform adoption across NJ municipalities would increase both safety and structural integrity.
• If every garage followed Hackensack’s protocol—even without mandate—engineers and owners would collectively drive down risk.
• A future state‑level law could require a standardized 5-year inspection cycle, executed by licensed professionals and enforced via permit systems, escrow mechanisms, or fines.

South Shore Construction stands ready to lead this future: from inspection, through repair engineering, to full restoration and certifications. We believe taking initiative ahead of mandates is both ethically responsible and financially intelligent for property owners—and for public safety.

Beyond Compliance and Toward Stewardship

While Hackensack’s Ordinance 21‑2011 is a solid first step toward safer parking structures, its most valuable contribution lies in setting a broader industry precedent. Safety through regular inspection isn’t just about avoiding penalties, it’s a matter of community well‑being, fiscal responsibility, and ethical asset management.

South Shore Construction’s extensive experience in parking garage repair and structural restoration uniquely positions us to help owners meet inspection, reporting, and remediation requirements—supporting proactive safety and fiscally responsible stewardship. From licensed engineer coordination to remediation planning and project execution, we keep parking structures safe, functional, and future‑ready for every user. Whether you’re preparing for your next five‑year evaluation or looking to elevate your garage ahead of regulatory deadlines, our team will guide you every step of the way.