Briefings
What changed in environmental, land-use and permitting rules for development in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania: what happened, who is affected and the next date that matters.
- LowHudson County, NJ
New Jersey Meadowlands authority sets October 20 hearing on changes to Kearny redevelopment zoning
The Sports and Exposition Authority will take comment on October 20, 2026 on amendments to the Kearny Area Redevelopment Plan, which governs about 445 acres of industrial, retail and landfill land. The draft does not mark what is new. The written comment deadline was not readable.
ProposedZoning & land use - MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey Pinelands towns ban data centers as state commission lets eleven local bans take effect
By the end of September 2026, the Pinelands Commission had cleared data center bans in eleven towns and a moratorium in a twelfth, with more ordinances awaiting review.
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey governor announces a permit “shot clock” for housing projects, with details still to come
The September 29 plan promises a permit shot clock and a doubling of housing production on State-owned land from 20,000 to 40,000 homes, but the announcement does not say which permits or how many days.
- MediumUnion County, NJ
New Jersey appeals court bars Elizabeth from ending a mixed-use project's tax exemption by ordinance
An unpublished ruling holds that Elizabeth's repeal of three tax-exemption agreements for a mixed-use redevelopment project impaired the developer's contracts, and sends the remaining disputes to arbitration.
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey ends site plan and variance review for electric vehicle chargers at existing buildings
A law approved September 28, 2026 makes approval of EV charging equipment at existing service stations, retail sites and buildings a non-discretionary permit, limits local review to specific safety impacts, and reaches pending applications. It took effect immediately; the chapter text could not be read.
- LowHudson County, NJ
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.
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey Highlands panel seeks comment by November 18 on possible land and water plan changes
Recommendations on water use, sewer and water extensions, impervious cover and historic review could lead to amendments to the regional plan governing development in the Highlands.
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey adopts 2024 construction codes, leaving six months to file under the old ones
New building, energy, electrical and plumbing codes took effect August 17, 2026; complete permit applications may use the prior codes during a six-month grace period reported to end February 17, 2027.
FinalZoning & land use - MediumOcean County, NJ
New Jersey high court lets towns condemn land without naming the public use in the ordinance
A divided Supreme Court held that a town may name the intended use later, in its condemnation complaint, weeks after ruling that an open-space taking in Jackson was pretextual.
In courtZoning & land use - LowNew Jersey
New Jersey will require property sellers to disclose dams before buyers sign contracts
A law approved August 6, 2026, adds dam questions to the seller disclosure form; it applies to sales from the 90th day after the state publishes the revised form.
FinalZoning & land use