Highlands Act of 2004:  P.L. 2004, c.120 (pdf)
Amendments:

• P.L.2015, c.5 (February 5, 2015): Extends expiration date of special appraisal process for Green Acres and farmland preservation program through June 30, 2019 for lands in the Highlands Region.
• P.L.2010, c.70 (Sept. 9, 2010): Extends expiration date of special appraisal process for Green Acres and farmland preservation programs from 2009 to 2014 for lands in the Highlands Region.
• P.L. 2010, c.7 (May 5, 2010): Authorizes any municipality outside the Highlands Region to establish receiving zones for Highlands Transfer of Development Rights program.
• P.L. 2010, c.4 (April 22, 2010): Exempts solar panels from impervious surface or impervious cover designation.
• P.L. 2009, c.256 (January 17, 2010): Adds Forest Stewardship Plans to Exemption 7 of the Highlands Act.

There are a number of Administrative Codes (Rules) that relate to implementation of the Highlands Act. The Highlands Council works in collaboration with other state agencies to ensure coordination of activities and programs affecting the Highlands.

• Open Space Program Rules - Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council - Highlands Open Space Partnership Funding Program and Highlands Development Credit Purchase Program (N.J.A.C. 7:70)
  
  • Official text as published in April 18, 2016 New Jersey Register (includes Summary of Public Comments and Agency Responses)
• NJDEP Highlands Rules - New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:38)
• Highlands Agricultural Rules - New Jersey Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Development in the Highlands (N.J.A.C. 2:92)

The Highlands Act includes 17 exemptions from the provisions of Act and Regional Master Plan. In addition, the DEP Highlands Rules include 4 waivers that allow some degree of deviation from the enhanced environmental standards of the Act.

• Highlands Act Exemptions and Waivers - Summary (pdf)

Full text of the exemptions can be found in the Highlands Act at C.13:20-28.  Full text of the waivers can be found in the DEP Highlands Rules at 7:38-6.4. The fourth waiver, 7:38-6.9 Waiver for the construction of a 100 percent affordable housing development, was added to Highlands Rules during the 2005 re-adoption with amendments. Full text of the waiver can be found in the New Jersey Register, Volume 37, Issue 24, December 19, 2005.

In 2012, a Memorandum of Understanding provided authority to Highlands municipalities to issue 7 of the most common exemptions following completion of a training and certification program with the Highlands Council.

Highlands Council Municipal Exemption Determination Program

• Executive Order #114 (Sept. 5, 2008): Required the Highlands Council and other State agencies to coordinate implementation of the Highlands Regional Master Plan. It also required the Highlands Council and Council on Affordable Housing to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding and provided $10 million in initial funding to the Highlands Development Credit Bank.