New Jersey Community Association Laws
PREDFDA (Title 45:22A), Condominium Act (Title 46:8B), Cooperative Recording Act (Title 46:8D), Municipal Services Act (Title 40:67-23.2 et seq.), corporate acts (Titles 15A/14A), DCA Association Regulation Initiative. Reference hub
New Jersey’s regime is process-forward: the Legislature and DCA push fair elections, open meetings, records access, ADR, and bylaw discipline through PREDFDA and detailed N.J.A.C. 5:26 rules. Condos and HOAs share similar governance expectations, while municipal-service reimbursements add a uniquely Jersey wrinkle for “qualified private communities.” There’s no state CAM license; compliance is built on board procedure, owner participation, and DCA oversight of the how—not micromanagement of the what.
At a glance
- PREDFDA (Title 45:22A): Governs common-interest communities; mandates ADR; codifies owner election rights (“Radburn” reforms).
- Condominiums (Title 46:8B): Association powers/duties; liens; elections/bylaws.
- Cooperatives (Title 46:8D): Recording & operational framework.
- Municipal Services Act: Snow, lighting & other services or reimbursements for qualified private communities.
- Regulator: NJ DCA — Bureau of Homeowner Protection, Association Regulation Initiative (education, compliance, complaints).
- Managers: No state CAM license; real-estate license only if performing brokerage/leasing tasks.
Primary Statutes
Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act (PREDFDA) — Title 45:22A
Common-interest communities (condos, HOAs, co-ops); elections, bylaws, meetings, ADR; limited-priority liens.
Condominium Act — Title 46:8B
Association powers & duties; records; liens; bylaw procedures.
Cooperative Recording Act — Title 46:8D
Co-op creation/recording; governance framework.
Municipal Services Act — Title 40:67-23.2 et seq.
Requires towns to provide or reimburse for certain services in qualified private communities.
40:67-23.3 (services or reimbursement) ·
NJ Legislature (unannotated search)
Corporate Acts — Titles 15A (Nonprofit) & 14A (Business)
Entity law for most NJ associations (often 15A).
15A: FindLaw index ·
14A: Onecle index
Popular Sections (direct links)
PREDFDA (HOAs & CICs)
Condominium Act (Title 46:8B)
Administrative Rules (N.J.A.C. 5:26 — Subchapter 8)
Links use official DCA PDFs and LII section pages for readability.
Community Associations (Subch. 8)
Elections & Board
Open Meetings, Bylaws & Penalties
Community Association Managers — Licensing
Is a CAM license required?
- No dedicated NJ CAM license. Community association managers are not licensed by DCA.
- Real-estate license is required only if performing brokerage/leasing tasks (e.g., renting/leasing/selling or advertising units).
Reference: APM overview
NJ Real Estate Commission
CAI – State licensing map
Owner resources (DCA)
Governing Documents & Overlays
- Governing documents: Master deed/Declaration or proprietary lease (co-ops), Bylaws, Rules/Regs, Board resolutions.
- State overlays: PREDFDA & N.J.A.C. 5:26 (elections, open meetings, ADR, bylaw procedure).
- Municipal overlays: Municipal Services Act reimbursements/contracts; traffic enforcement on private roads (Title 39:5A-1 if adopted).
- Federal overlays: Fair Housing Act, FDCPA (collections), FCC OTARD (antennas), etc.
- Conflicts: Statutes and duly-adopted regulations supersede conflicting governing docs; consult counsel for interpretation.
DCA Contacts
Bureau of Homeowner Protection (DCA)
- Scope: Administers PREDFDA programs; assistance to condo/HOA/co-op owners & boards.
- Phone: (609) 984-7905
- Email: Codes.BHP@dca.nj.gov
- Association Regulation Initiative lives within this Bureau.
Association Regulation Initiative (DCA)
- ARI page (info packet, FAQs)
- General Codes & Standards: (609) 292-7899 · Contact directory
Disclaimer
This page is a general reference and not legal advice. Laws and rules change; always verify the current text on the official linked sites and consult qualified counsel for your situation.
Last updated: September 9, 2025