NJ A5264

Requires the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to establish a "State Smart Solar Permitting Platform" - an automated internet-based system that performs instant plan review and permit issuance for residential solar energy systems within 18 months of enactment.

Local enforcing agencies must either use the state platform or implement an equivalent alternative automated solar permitting system within 24 months, with annual compliance reporting requirements to the department.

The platform must process permits for approximately 75% of residential rooftop solar systems weighing 4 pounds per square foot or less on detached one- and two-family dwellings, and accept digital signatures, stamps, seals, and certifications.

Addresses New Jersey's status as having the fifth slowest solar permitting timelines nationally, with the Solar Energy Industries Association estimating that permitting barriers add $6,000-$7,000 to residential solar installation costs and cause approximately 20% of projects to be cancelled.

Authorizes the department to condition or deny direct funding to local units whose enforcing agencies fail to comply, and requires local agencies using the state platform to revise fee schedules to reflect reduced permitting resource costs.