Zoning and local land use
Zoning, local ordinances and moratoriums, redevelopment plans, site plan and subdivision approvals. What changed, the rules that apply and the dates ahead for projects in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Latest briefings
- MediumPennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires proof of a water supplier before towns give final approval to development plans
From December 7, subdivision and land development plans served by public or community water need documented supply arrangements before final approval, though proof of adequate capacity is not required.
- HighNew York
New York City adopts fast-track land-use review and housing appeals board rules, effective November 14
City Planning rules set eligibility, deadlines and fees for a shorter review of qualifying rezonings and the procedure for a board that can restore housing approvals the City Council rejects or changes.
- MediumErie County, NY
New York appeals court holds brownfield cleanup kept Buffalo scrap yard's grandfathered use alive
The Fourth Department upheld a zoning board finding that ongoing state brownfield remediation continued a nonconforming scrap yard use, so a new operator needed no use variance.
- 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 - HighNew York
New York City names 12 districts where qualifying affordable housing bypasses City Council review from 2027
Qualifying applications in the listed districts get a 90-day public review starting January 1, 2027, so land use timelines and contract contingencies tied to the standard process need review.
- MediumNew York
New York ties certificates of occupancy for older rentals in 25 communities to lead safety filing
From October 1, 2026, code officials in 25 upstate and suburban communities must find a lead safety certification on file before issuing inspection-based certificates for pre-1980 rental buildings with two or more units.
FinalZoning & land use - LowConnecticut
Connecticut gives special-act towns full zoning enforcement powers, including $2,500 civil penalties and injunctions
From October 1, 2026, towns that zone under special acts may use the general statute's orders, court fines, injunctions and civil penalties against zoning violations.
FinalZoning & land use - HighConnecticut
Connecticut bars state solar approvals in towns above set land-area shares until July 2027
A temporary bar on Siting Council solar approvals in certain towns runs to July 1, 2027, and new emergency-contact and incident-reporting duties for generating facilities start October 1, 2026.
- MediumConnecticut
Connecticut pauses required building code updates until 2030 models while its delayed 2026 code awaits approval
A law in force since October 1, 2026 lengthens the state's code update cycle, while the codes built on the 2024 model codes still lack legislative approval and an effective date.
FinalZoning & land use - MediumConnecticut
Connecticut extends as-of-right accessory units to special-act towns and limits water company hookup charges
From October 1, 2026, towns that zone under special acts must allow one accessory dwelling unit as of right, and investor-owned water companies face the connection-fee limits already applied to towns and authorities.
Rules 16
- Federal · 49 U.S.C. 44718; 14 CFR Part 77FAA notice for tall structures and cranes
- New Jersey · N.J.S.A. 13:20-1 et seq.; N.J.A.C. 7:38Highlands region development review
- New Jersey · N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.; R. 4:69-6Local land use approvals and appeals
- New Jersey · N.J.S.A. 5:10A; N.J.A.C. 19:4Meadowlands District zoning and site plans
- New Jersey · N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq. (designation 40A:12A-6; plans 40A:12A-7)Redevelopment area designation and redevelopment plans
- New York · Executive Law Article 27 (APA Act)Adirondack Park Agency permits
- New York · CPLR 217(1); Town Law 267-c, 274-a; ECL Article 8Deadlines to challenge land-use and permit decisions
- New York · N.Y. Agriculture and Markets Law § 305(4)Notice of intent for projects in agricultural districts
- New York · NYC Charter 197-f, 666-a (2025 amendments)NYC affordable housing fast-track procedures
- New York · NYC Charter 197-c, 197-d, 200Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP)
- Connecticut · C.G.S. 25-102a to 25-102mConnecticut River Gateway conservation zone
- Connecticut · C.G.S. 8-7d, 8-8Local land-use decision clocks and appeals
- Pennsylvania · 72 P.S. 5490.1 et seq.; 3 P.S. 901-915 (ASA)Clean and Green rollback taxes; Agricultural Security Areas
- Pennsylvania · 53 P.S. §§ 11002-A, 11003-A; 42 Pa.C.S. § 5571.1Land use appeals to common pleas court
- Pennsylvania · 53 P.S. §§ 10107, 10508, 10509, 10513 (MPC)Subdivision and land development approval (MPC)
- Pennsylvania · 53 P.S. §§ 10609.1, 10908-10916.1 (MPC)Zoning variances, special exceptions and curative amendments (MPC)
Coming up
- New Jersey · Hearing or decisionNJSEA hearing on Kearny Area Redevelopment Plan amendment
- New Jersey · Comments closeHighlands RMP monitoring report comment period closes
Funding and incentives 11
- New Jersey · NJ Economic Development Authority and NJDEPHazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF)
- Federal · US EPAEPA brownfields assessment, cleanup and revolving loan fund grants
- New Jersey · Municipal governing bodyFive-year exemption and abatement (tax phase-in)
- New Jersey · Municipal governing body; NJ DCA Division of Local Government ServicesLong-term tax exemption (PILOT) for redevelopment
- New Jersey · NJ Economic Development AuthorityBrownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program (BRIP)
- New York · Empire State DevelopmentRestore New York Communities Initiative
- New York · Local assessors; NYS Department of Taxation and FinanceBusiness investment property exemption (485-b)
- New York · Local assessors; NYSERDAReal Property Tax Law 487 exemption for solar, wind, storage and other systems
- Connecticut · MunicipalitiesTax increment financing districts
- Pennsylvania · PA Office of the BudgetRedevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP)
- Pennsylvania · Local taxing bodiesLocal Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA)