New Jersey's Hudson River waterfront projects need a state permit, a public walkway and flood review
Local redevelopment approvals along the Hudson do not settle the state waterfront permit, which carries a permanent public walkway obligation and, unless an application qualifies for legacy review, the climate-adjusted flood standards.
Under the Coastal Zone Management (“CZM”) Rules, N.J.A.C. 7:7, most recently amended effective September 21, 2026 (58 N.J.R. 2157(b)), development along New Jersey’s Hudson River waterfront requires the approval of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) under the Waterfront Development Law, N.J.S.A. 12:5-3, and must provide and maintain a section of the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway. That approval is separate from, and does not follow automatically from, the municipal redevelopment plan, redevelopment agreement and site plan approvals that typically govern these projects.
N.J.S.A. 12:5-3; N.J.A.C. 7:7-2.4, 7:7-9.46, 7:7-16.9; 58 N.J.R. 2157(b)