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Bill > A1465
NJ A1465
NJ A1465Revises permitting thresholds for certain types of development requiring CAFRA permit from DEP.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill amends the "Coastal Area Facility Review Act" (CAFRA), P.L.1973, c.185 (C.13:19-1 et seq.), to change the types of development that require a CAFRA permit from the Department of Environmental Protection. Current law divides the CAFRA area into zones based on proximity to the water, and requires permits for different types of development in each zone based on whether the development is residential, commercial, industrial or public. The law currently provides a separate threshold for development in a municipality that meets the criteria of a "qualifying municipality," pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1978, c.14 (C.52:27D-178), or that is located within the boundaries of a city of the fourth class with a population of over 30,000 persons according to the latest federal decennial census. For these municipalities, a CAFRA permit is required for development beyond 500 feet of the mean high water line, or landward limit of a beach or dune, that would result in, either solely or in conjunction with a previous development: a residential development with 75 or more units; a commercial development with 150 or more parking spaces; or an industrial development or a public development. This bill amends this permitting threshold to also apply to development proposed in a city of the fourth class that is ranked in the top two percent of the Department of Community Affair's 2020 Municipal Revitalization Index. Thus, development proposed in a municipality meeting this criteria would be subject to the same CAFRA permitting requirements as development proposed in a qualifying municipality or in a city of the fourth class with a population of over 30,000 persons.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) to expand the types of development that require a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Currently, CAFRA permits are required for certain developments based on their location within different zones of the coastal area and their size or type (residential, commercial, industrial, or public). The bill specifically modifies the permitting thresholds for developments located more than 500 feet inland from the mean high water line or the landward limit of a beach or dune. Previously, these higher thresholds applied to developments in "qualifying municipalities" or cities of the fourth class with over 30,000 residents. This bill adds a new category of municipalities to these higher thresholds: cities of the fourth class that are ranked in the top two percent of the Department of Community Affairs' 2020 Municipal Revitalization Index. This means that developments in these newly included cities will now be subject to the same CAFRA permitting requirements as those in qualifying municipalities or large fourth-class cities, requiring a permit for residential developments of 75 or more units, commercial developments with 150 or more parking spaces, or any public or industrial development.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1465 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1500/1465_I1.HTM |
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