NJ requirements for multifamily reno: Architect Fees and others?

[Adam Zacharski]

I'm in Essex county with an owner occupied multifamily and I was pulling permits for a kitchen and bath gut renovation. The town told me that its NJ state law that for multifamily properties; 1) all renovations need to be completed by a contractor, including insulation and drywall. 2) signed architect drawings need to be submitted even though the the footprint is remaining the same

I'm waiting for the town's building official to get back to me with where the state requires this so I can read it for myself. Is this the standard that you guys are seeing in NJ or Essex county? 

I provided planned drawings from my designer including finished materials but they were rejected. Also the fact that I'm moving into the unit I renovating, from the other unit, and I can't do the drywall is a little surprising. 

Would like to know other's experience here. Thanks