Application Process and Forms

NJSEA APPLICATION SUBMISSION

If an applicant’s submission is very large (many plan sheets or lengthy reports), we suggest that they transmit it via a Dropbox or other file sharing method of providing a link to the plans and documents. Plan sheets and reports should include the licensed professional’s signature. Electronic signatures will be accepted.

Site Plan Review Application Forms and Plan Review Application Forms are available below (https://www.njsea.com/applications/). All forms, including Zoning Certificate/CCO application forms and Construction Code Plan Review application forms, shall be appropriately signed by all parties and should be submitted electronically via email to plans@njsea.com.

Applicants will need to follow up the electronic submissions with the submission of hard copies of original signed and sealed plans and reports in the future, which may either be sent via USPS or other delivery means (eg. UPS, FedEx, etc.), or may be dropped off at the NJSEA Administrative Office during designated drop-off hours only. Hard copies should not be mailed to the NJSEA Office until requested by LUM staff.

General questions regarding NJSEA regulations, procedures, etc., should be emailed to Ron Seelogy at rseelogy@njsea.com. These general emails will be distributed to the appropriate staff member for a response.

Questions regarding current applications should be emailed to the LUM staff member assigned the file. If this information is not known, please email your questions to rseelogy@njsea.com.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR APPLICATIONS IN SECAUCUS, KEARNY AND CARLSTADT

Please note, all applications for properties in Secaucus, Kearny and Carlstadt which are located within the Hackensack Meadowlands District, shall first be submitted directly to the NJSEA. Such submissions shall be submitted electronically to plans@njsea.com, as noted above.

• Applications SHALL NOT be submitted directly to the Town of Secaucus, the Town of Kearny or the Borough of Carlstadt.

The review of such applications will be conducted by Secaucus, Kearny or Carlstadt as appropriate. The NJSEA will forward the electronic application package via email directly to the appropriate municipality for review, at which time the designated contact person on the application will also be notified. The appropriate municipal representative will then commence the zoning review and reach out to the designated contact person with comments, zoning review fees, etc.

PROVISIONS FOR WAIVERS AND OTHER RELIEF

On February 24, 2010, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission adopted Resolution No. 10-08 in response to Executive Order No. 2 (2010), which directs certain State agencies to facilitate intermediate relief from regulatory burdens by identifying any regulations and processes that impede economic development.

Pursuant to this regulatory review, the staff has identified a number of existing provisions for waivers and other relief included within the District Zoning Regulations at N.J.A.C. 19:4 and the District Subdivision Regulations at N.J.A.C. 19:5 that are consistent with the intent of Executive Order No. 2 to provide flexibility in the regulatory review process.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED:

• 2023 Applications
• 2022 Applications
• 2021 Applications
• 2020 Applications
• 2019 Applications
• 2018 Applications
• 2017 Applications
• 2016 Applications
• 2015 Applications
• 2014 Applications
• 2013 Applications
• 2012 Applications
• 2011 Applications

LAND USE STAFF

LAND USE MANAGEMENT (LUM) EMPLOYEES ARE ORGANIZED INTO TWO GROUPS.

SITE PLAN REVIEW GROUP

The Site Plan Review group is responsible for establishing and enforcing the zoning and subdivision regulations of the Meadowlands District. All plans and property improvements, including redevelopment projects, are reviewed in accordance with Regulations, which effectuate the Hackensack Meadowlands District Master Plan to ensure orderly development.

PLAN REVIEW GROUP

The Plan Review group is responsible for reviewing all proposed development in accordance with New Jersey’s Uniform Construction Code.

ZONING OFFICER OF THE DAY

To ensure that questions from property owners and businesses are answered in a timely and efficient manner, the assigned Zoning Officer of the Day responds to phone calls and walk-in inquiries related to zoning/permitted land uses, planning, redevelopment, and application procedures in the Meadowlands District. To contact the Zoning Officer of the Day, please call 201.460.1700.

TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORMS FOR SUBMISSION TO LAND USE MANAGEMENT, CLICK ON THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENT BELOW.

SITE PLAN REVIEW APPLICATION FORMS

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR APPLICATIONS IN SECAUCUS AND KEARNY Please note, effective immediately, all applications in Secaucus and Kearny will require 4 (four) sets of plans, when requested by the Town. Thank you for your cooperation.

• Zoning Certificate/Certificate of Occupancy
• Fill/Stockpile Operation
• Site Suitability
• Variance from Zoning Regulations
• Special Exception
• Sign Permit
• Warehouse Sale
• Outdoor Event
• Subdivision Approval
• Subdivision Regulations Waiver
• Rezoning Request

PLAN REVIEW APPLICATION FORMS:

CONSTRUCTION CODE PLAN REVIEW APPLICATION AND FEES

GUIDELINES, REFERENCES AND CHECKLISTS:

• Construction Code Project Review Checklist
• Plan Review Requirements for Storage Rack Systems
• Landscape & Open Space Design Guidelines
• Open Space Requirements
• Recommended Plant List (including Native Plants)
• Guideline on Invasive Plants
• Tank Checklist

Regarding Adobe Acrobat

There are two ways to use these forms. You may print the form and fill it out. However, with Adobe Acrobat 5 (or 4), you can now fill out the form on-screen and print out a completed form (except for signatures). You can download the Adobe® Acrobat® Reader for free.

Clicking on a link to a PDF document will show the document in your browser window. The browser will show both its toolbar and the Adobe Acrobat toolbar. When printing out PDF documents, be sure to use the printer icon on the Adobe Acrobat toolbar. Do not use the browser’s toolbar icon.

SITE PLAN REVIEW AND ZONING CERTIFICATES

The NJSEA’s Site Plan Review group acts in a similar capacity to traditional municipal planning and zoning boards. Site plans for new development are reviewed to ensure compliance with the zoning and subdivision regulations.

Public hearings are held only for applications involving variances or special exception requests and are not required for applications that conform to NJSEA regulations. The Site Plan Review group reviews land use applications and forwards conforming applications to the Chief Engineer for approval.

Site plan reviews are conducted in connection with the submission of applications for a Zoning Certificate and/or a Certificate of Continued Occupancy. Zoning Certificate approval is required for all new buildings, additions, site improvements (including the placement of fill) and change in use of existing buildings. A Continued Occupancy Certificate or Certificate of Completion and/or Occupancy Approval is required upon each change of tenant or at the completion of a construction project.

The review conducted by the site plan review group includes site plan, grading and drainage, lighting, open space, landscaping and utilities. In addition to reviewing applications for new development, the site plan review staff also reviews sign permit applications and occupancy certification applications, which are required before any tenant can occupy new or additional space within any building in the District.

PROCEDURES FOR ZONING CERTIFICATE APPLICATION

To obtain Zoning Certificate approval, an application including the following information must be filed with the NJSEA.

• Applicant information
• Property location and ownership information
• Proposed tenant and use
• Three copies of the site plan and any other plans, reports or certifications required.
• Required fee

The Zoning Certificate application form, accompanied by the required plans and fees, is submitted to the NJSEA Administrative Coordinator. The application is reviewed by LUM staff for completeness upon receipt of the file. Upon issuance of a Zoning Certificate, the file is referred to the Plan Review group to evaluate the plan’s consistency with applicable building code requirements.

PROCEDURES FOR CONTINUED OCCUPANCY CERTIFICATE REVIEW

A fully executed application for occupancy certification, accompanied by the required plans and fees, is submitted to the NJSEA Administrative Coordinator. The application is reviewed by LUM staff for completeness upon receipt of the file, and an inspection of the premises will be conducted. The applicant will either receive a letter of findings detailing items to be addressed prior to receiving a Continued Occupancy Certification, or a Continued Occupancy Certification if there are no items to be addressed.

ZONING INSPECTIONS

NJSEA staff conducts routine inspections of properties within the Meadowlands District to ensure compliance with land use regulations pertaining to fill operations, site work and construction, dumping, signage, property maintenance, debris and vegetation, occupancy, and tenants.

CONSTRUCTION CODE PLAN REVIEW

The NJSEA has the responsibility for reviewing construction plans, specifications and details for new construction, alterations and renovations to buildings within the Meadowlands District for conformance with the NJ Uniform Construction Code (NJUCC). Inspections are also performed as deemed necessary, or as requested by the local Code Enforcement Official.

To obtain a construction/building permit, an applicant must submit the applicable NJUCC Sub-Code forms along with four sets of construction plans to the Municipal Construction Official. After the plans are date stamped by the municipality, the applicant delivers three sets and the UCC forms to the NJSEA for review. At that time, a fee for plan review must be paid to the NJSEA.

If the plans comply with applicable codes, the NJSEA will issue a Certificate of Plan Release. Upon issuance of the release, two sets of plans will be returned to the Municipal Construction Official, who will issue a construction/building permit. The applicant receives a copy, which is to be displayed at the job site at all times during construction.

The applicant is required to notify the Municipal Construction Official for inspections as required by law.

In addition, upon completion of the work in accordance with the approved plans, the applicant shall notify the NJSEA to schedule a final inspection. The NJSEA will then issue a Certificate of Completion and/or Occupancy Approval, which will be forwarded to the Municipal Construction Official. The Municipal Construction Official is responsible for ensuring that the applicant has complied with all sub-code regulations and issuing a Certificate of Occupancy when applicable.