DIVISION OF CITY PLANNING

At the Division of City Planning, a staff of licensed professional planners and trained experts work on comprehensively planning the rational development of land in Jersey City.

Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to answer any questions or concerns. All questions to staff should be emailed directly to a staff member or the general Division of City Planning email.

To learn about the zoning standards that apply yo your property, enter your address here. Did you know about the new zoning standards that accommodate ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)? Read or download a guide to the new zoning standards here. Interested in learning more about the master plan for Jersey City? Visit the Jersey City Master Plan Webpage here.

Please note: City Planning does not take any applications in person. All applications must be submitted through the Jersey City Online Permitting and Licensing Portal.

 
Announcements

Phishing Scam Alert
There is a phishing scam targeting applicants, disguised as an urgent email requesting the applicant to pay a "city compensation fee" via an invoice attached to the email. This email is sent by [email protected] and contains details about the proposed development, an explanation why the fee is required, and is falsely signed by the planning director. Do not engage in this email or open links and/or attachments.

Please note that all fees are invoiced through the online portal and are payed through the online portal. If you have any questions about outstanding fees, check the online portal or contact the review planner assigned to your application.
Forestry Permits
With the adoptions of Ordinance No. 25-033, the Division of Forestry has amended Chapter 321 to not only require permits for planting a tree in the public right of way, but also for the removal of a public or private tree(s) and for any activity conducted within the Protected Root Cone of a City tree.  

All applications that require existing and/or proposed site plans must include information on existing-to-remain, existing-to-be-removed and proposed trees, including a buffer indicated the critical root zone for existing-to-remain and proposed trees.

The following recourses are available to successfully comply with forestry standards.

Change in Notice Procedures
The Jersey Journal is no longer in service, and the Bergen Record is now the designated publication to publish notices. To arrange for publication in the Bergen Record, please email [email protected]. 
City Planning Approved Signature Sets
As of March 2, 2025, each approved set of plans will receive a Division of City Planning approval stamp with "Approved" written on the stamp and details of the specific application. The City Planning Approved Signature Set will be uploaded to the online portal under the attachments tab of the application. 

How to Submit an Application 

All applications for the Division of City Planning can be found at jcnj.org/permitportal or by selecting the links to the appropriate application below. You must register and create an account to submit an application.

Planning Board Applications

Zoning Board of Adjustment Applications

Historic Preservation Applications

How to Attend a Zoning Board or Planning Board Meeting

Meeting Access Instructions

The Jersey City Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the Historic Preservation Commission hold in-person meetings in compliance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act. These meetings are held as the City Hall Annex Boardroom, 4 Jackson Square aka 39 Kearney Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07305.

Digital Agendas and Plans for Download

To access the agenda for a public meeting, you can select the meeting on the Jersey City Meetings and Events Calendar for an agenda link or select one of the links below.

Agendas contain hyperlinks to digital plans, reports, and other materials for each application to be heard by the Land Use Board or Commission. Alternatively, you can search the application by address or application number on the online portal using the "Public Search" tab. If you wish to view applications prior to the use of the online portal, you can search the application by address or application number on the Jersey City Open Data Portal.

Meeting Archives
Missed a Land Use Board or Historic Preservation meeting? Select the links below to view the recording of each meeting.

To review materials for each application that were heard by the Land Use Board or Commission, you can search the application by address or application number on the online portal using the "Public Search" tab. If you wish to view applications prior to the use of the online portal, you can search the application by address or application number on the Jersey City Open Data Portal.


Resources

Rules and Regulations
Master Plan

Thank you for participating in the Master Plan process! Over the course of nearly two years, our team has engaged residents and various City, County, and State agencies to develop updated Land Use and Open Space Elements. Simultaneously, a public envisioning process was taking place to frame long term goals for Jersey City. This visioning process was utilized to shape the Land Use and Open Space element recommendations while tying in other elements of the Master Plan.

What is a Master Plan? Why is it important?

  1. A master plan functions as a roadmap for the city's future.
  2. A master plan describes how, why, where and when to build the City.
  3. It provides an opportunity for us to look ahead, establish new visions and directions, set goals and map out plans for the future.

To view the final documents and presentations, see the Jersey City Master Plan website or select the Master Plan Element links below.

Jersey City Master Plan

Maps
Citizens Planning Course
Jersey City Division of City Planning has conducted several Citizen Planner Courses to share and educate anyone interested on a multitude of city planning topics. To view a presentation on the Introduction of City Planning, click here, or email us to find out more information about future events.

Presentations
What Can I Do With My Residential Property? Guide

The Jersey City Master Plan has the principle to ensure that Jersey City's available housing is balanced and meets the needs of all current and future city residents. This has led to changes in the City's Land Development Ordinance. As a property owner, you may now be able to add an additional dwelling unit or more.

The What Can I Do With My Residential Property? Guide will provide you with a better understanding of how you can ass one or more dwelling units to your property.

What Can I Do With My Residential Property

Contact Info