Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the Highlands Council has developed a program to  authorize municipalities with approved Plan Conformance Petitions to issue determinations regarding certain Highlands Act exemptions, following completion of a training and certification program and adoption of an approved Highlands ordinance. Details regarding this program are provided below.

Exemptions Eligible for Municipal Determination
Certification and Tracking
Training Program Materials
Model Highlands Area Exemption Ordinance
Background

Exemptions Eligible for Municipal Determination

Descriptions below are only summaries of the seven exemptions eligible for municipal decision. The complete list and full text of all exemptions can be found in the Highlands Act. All local zoning, land use ordinances, state and federal regulations still apply.

Exemption 1 The construction of a single family dwelling for owner’s own use
Exemption 2 The construction of a single family dwelling with conditions
Exemption 4 The reconstruction of any building or structure with conditions
Exemption 5 Any improvement to a single family dwelling

Exemption 6

 Any improvement, for non-residential purposes, to a place of worship owned by a nonprofit entity, society or association, or association organized primarily for religious purposes, or a public or private school, or a hospital
Exemption 7 An activity conducted in accordance with an approved woodland management plan
Exemption 8 The construction or extension of trails with non-impervious surfaces on publicly or privately owned lands


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Certification and Tracking

 Certified Municipalities
 Bergen Mahwah Township, Oakland Borough
 Hunterdon   
Alexandria Township, Bethlehem Township, Califon Borough, Clinton Township, Glen Gardner Borough, High Bridge Borough, Lebanon Township
 Morris Chester Township, Jefferson Township, Montville Township, Mount Arlington Borough, Mount Olive Township, Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, Washington Township
 Passaic Ringwood Borough, West Milford Township
 Somerset Bedminster
 Sussex Byram Township, Hardyston Township, Hopatcong Borough, Sparta Township, Vernon Township
 Warren Allamuchy Township, Franklin Township, Hackettstown, Harmony Township, Lopatcong Township, Oxford Township, Pohatcong Township, Washington Township

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Tracking Sheets

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Training Program Materials

Materials are provided here for reference only. Attendance at Highlands Council training is required for certification.

CEUs: This training program has been approved for one technical contact hour for individuals holding a Rutgers-issued Board Secretary, Zoning Official, and/or Land Use Administrator certification(s). Attendees will be provided with the proper paperwork and instructions at the training session. Please note that certificate holders may only count their attendance at one Municipal Exemption Determination training session per planning/zoning renewal cycle.

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Model Highlands Area Exemption Ordinance

Please note that this ordinance is only for use by municipalities that have completed the training program referenced above. Adoption of this ordinance must occur prior to certification of the municipality.

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Background

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