Bill

Bill > A4387


NJ A4387

NJ A4387
Concerns regulatory guidance for local approving authorities on approval of warehouse development.


summary

Introduced
02/19/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill directs the State Planning Commission (commission) to adopt rules and regulations, or publish a regulatory guidance document to assist municipal planning boards and other agencies acting pursuant to the "Municipal Land Use Law," P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.), in considering applications for the development of warehouses, as defined in the bill. The bill directs the commission to produce the guidance publication in a concise, plain-language format, incorporating examples of questions and reports that would customarily be asked of, or requested from, a warehouse development applicant prior to the issuance of development approvals. These model questions and report requests are to address potential community concerns, including but not limited to, traffic volumes, road safety, and environmental considerations. The bill directs the commission to make the guidance publication available to the public on its Internet website. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs (commissioner) to incorporate the guidance document into the course offered to officials with responsibilities to enforce the "Municipal Land Use Law," P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.). The commission would be required to notify the commissioner upon completion of the guidance document, and upon any updates. Due to the rise of e-commerce, warehouse development has increased significantly in recent years, leading to concerns over the impacts of these facilities on nearby neighborhoods. This bill intends to enhance the ability of local approving authorities to sufficiently scrutinize warehouse developers prior to authorizing further warehouse construction in New Jersey communities. This bill would take effect immediately, and would require the commission to produce the guidance publication by the first day of the third month following enactment.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that the State Planning Commission (commission) create and publish a clear, easy-to-understand guide to help local planning boards and other agencies, operating under the "Municipal Land Use Law" (a law governing local land use decisions), review applications for building warehouses. A warehouse is defined as any building used to store goods for distribution. This guide, which must be available on the commission's website, will include sample questions and requests for reports that developers of warehouses should expect, focusing on community concerns like traffic, road safety, and environmental impact. Additionally, the Commissioner of Community Affairs will be required to integrate this guidance into training programs for officials responsible for enforcing the "Municipal Land Use Law," ensuring they are equipped to handle warehouse development applications. This initiative comes in response to the growing number of warehouses due to e-commerce and aims to improve local authorities' ability to assess these developments. The commission must produce this guide within three months of the bill becoming law.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee (on 02/19/2026)

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