Local Historic Preservation Ordinances

Municipalities in New Jersey obtain their authority to identify, evaluate, designate, and regulate historic resources (individual sites and districts) from the Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL), the enabling legislation for municipal land use and development planning, zoning, and, since 1986, historic preservation zoning. A 1999 survey by the HPO of New Jersey's 566 municipalities revealed that 165 communities had historic preservation commissions established by local ordinance. The historic preservation ordinance is an extension of the municipality's zoning laws, and should be tailored to the community's character and historic preservation goals.

Historic Preservation Commissions

The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is created and defined by the local ordinance. The MLUL requires that the HPC consist of between five and nine members, plus alternates, who have a variety of backgrounds ranging from preservation professionals to citizen advocates. HPC's may be either Advisory, where the Commission only makes recommendations to the planning board, or Regulatory, where the Commission itself is empowered to make final decisions on projects subject to its review.

Certified Local Government Program

CLG Community Links
Map of current CLG's and links to municipal websites.

The Certified Local Government (CLG) program offers municipalities the opportunity to participate more directly in state and federal historic preservation programs. Participation in the CLG program requires that a municipality have a historic preservation ordinance and a historic preservation commission conforming to the specifications of both the Municipal Land Use Law and the National Park Service approved New Jersey Certified Local Government Guidelines. As a CLG, the community is eligible to apply for Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) grants for a variety of local preservation activities. The level of funding is contingent upon the annual appropriation from the National Park Service. Grant applications are available from the HPO annually.

Communities interested in becoming CLG's should review the documents available below and contact the HPO to discuss the application and designation process.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Natural & Historic Resources, Historic Preservation Office (HPO) offers CLG Historic Preservation Fund grants for eligible historic preservation activities. The goals for the Historic Preservation Fund grant projects are:

• to identify all buildings, sites, structures, objects and districts which are significant in American historic, architecture, archaeology and engineering, and which meet the criteria for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places;
• to design and implement planning tools for the protection of these resources.

Typical grant projects include:

• Historic preservation master plan elements,
• Historic resource surveys,
• National Register nominations,
• Historic preservation education projects,
• Historic structures reports,
• Preservation plans, and
• CLG training opportunities.

Annually, CLG communities may submit one (1) application for funding either for an eligible individual activity or multiple activities as defined in the Grant Application. If you are not sure if an activity is eligible to receive funding, please contact the HPO for guidance before completing any application forms.

CLG communities are afforded the opportunity to apply for grant assistance up to $77,000. There is No Local Match Required for the 2007/2008 CLG grant round.

Newly formed historic preservation commissions, or entrants into the CLG program are afforded the opportunity to apply for technical assistance, training, and professional services grants. The amounts for these activities may not exceed the limits established below:

• CLG Model Community: CLG Model Community grant up to $3,000. The HPO is seeking communities willing to sponsor a CLG consultation booth and exhibit at the Annual New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference held at the Atlantic City Convention Center each November.
• Technical Assistance: HPC Technical Assistance grant up to $12,000. Grant funds will be used to retain on a part-time basis, a qualified preservation consultant who will provide technical and administrative assistance to the municipal historic preservation commission and to applicants to the commission.
• Training: CLG training grant up to $3,000. The HPO will actively participate with the Grantee in the planning and coordination of a training workshop.

CLG Communities may apply for grant funding for the following activities without restriction:

• CLG historic preservation municipal master plan element. ·
• CLG municipal cultural resource survey to identify significant sites, buildings, structures, and districts within a given geographic area.
• CLG historic preservation planning and education projects.
• CLG historic structure report and preservation plans.
• CLG New Jersey/National Registers of Historic Places nominations. ·
• CLG archaeological resource protection, stabilization or preservation plans

Additional information and application procedures are available in the CLG Grant Application. Contact the HPO for additional assistance.

To be announced.

Forms and Publications:

1. 2006/2007 HPF Fund CLG Grant Application:
   • Application Instructions (PDF Format)
   • Grant Application Form (PDF Format)
2. Take The Next Step Brochure (PDF Format)
3. Municipal Land Use Law, Historic Preservation Related Sections (PDF Format)
4. New Jersey Historic Preservation Commission Directory, 1999 (PDF Format)
5. New Jersey Certified Local Government Guidelines (PDF Format)
6. Developing Design Guidelines: An Introduction (PDF Format)

Useful Links:

1. National Park Service - Certified Local Government Program (NPS Website)
2. National Alliance of Preservation Commissions
3. Other Links

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