Phase one and Phase two of the 2021 Master Plan Implementation have been adopted and are in effect. While these ordinances are still pending codification on the City's digital ordinance, staff has prepared an LDO Interim User Document to access the latest standards. This document includes Article I through Article VIII of Chapter 345, which have been amended and restated according to Ordinances 22-084, 23-003, and 23-103.

The Interactive Development Map is a cartographic depiction of Jersey City's ongoing development. It displays all of Jersey City's Development with 10+ units, substantial commercial building, and civic facilities since 2000. To access the map, click here.

Please note that the development maps published on the Jersey City Open Data portal will no longer be updated.

DIVISION OF CITY PLANNING

The Division of City Planning maintains a staff of licensed professional planners and trained experts who are responsible for comprehensively planning the rational development of land in the City.

Please review the links and other menus to the left and below for information on upcoming meetings, how to apply, zoning, development information, etc.

All questions to staff shall be emailed directly to that staff member or to the general City Planning email account.

Until further notice, all public meetings will be held in-person at City Hall Annex Boardroom, 4 Jackson Square aka 39 Kearney Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07305.

To submit an application for development to the Division of City Planning, you must first create a user account on the Jersey City Licensing and Permitting website. Sign up here.

All applications starting June 14, 2023 must be submitted through the Jersey City Licensing and Permitting website.

Phase one and Phase two of the 2021 Master Plan Implementation have been adopted and are in effect. While these ordinances are still pending codification on the City's digital ordinance, staff has prepared an LDO Interim User Document to access the latest standards.

Thank you for participating in the Master Plan process!

To view the final documents and presentations, please follow this link the City's official Master Plan webpage. The final documents are not the end of the planning process. These documents will frame planning discussions for the next 10 years. Any modifications to zoning following the adoption of these plans will undergo further public engagement.

Over the course of nearly two years, out 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?
A master plan functions as a roadmap for the city's future.
A master plan describes how, why, where and when to build in the city.
It provides an opportunity for us to look ahead, establish new visions and directions, set goals and map out plans for the future.

Master Plan Elements

In accordance with NJDEP's amended Stormwater Management Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:8), Jersey City has adopted an updated Stormwater Control Ordinance (345-74), effective March 1st, 2021. The amendments replace the current requirement that major developments incorporate nonstructural stormwater management strategies to the "maximum extent practicable" with a requirement that green infrastructure be utilized to meet stormwater management standards. Jersey City's Stormwater Ordinance imposes a more stringent definition of major development and includes a new definition for minor development. These thresholds and other requirements can be found in the full ordinance here.

If you seeking to open a cannabis business in Jersey City please reference the linked FAQ, Instructions and Standards document. In this document, City staff seeks to provide you with information on how to seek and obtain local approvals while we all learn and respond to the legal framework under development at the State-level by the Cannabis Review Commission. First, are a list of frequently asked questions and answers with information and links about our local process. Following the FAQ are the standards and fees regarding Cannabis Businesses and Consumption Areas that were adopted by the City in August 2021. In the event that there are any inconsistencies between provisions of the State and local procedures detailed herein, please inform us. This industry in New Jersey is new and we are all learning as we proceed. That said, this document and our local procedures may change as necessary.

The Jersey City Master Plan has the principle to ensure the 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.

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

Housing Block Diagram

How to Submit an Application

To submit an application for development to the Division of City Planning, you must first create a user account on the Jersey City Licensing and Permitting website. Sign up here.

All applications starting June 14, 2023 must be submitted through the Jersey City Licensing and Permitting website. If you have already created an account you may also click one of the options below. Before submitting, please be sure you are submitting your application to the correct land use board.

Planning Board Applications:

Zoning Board of Adjustment Applications:

Digital Agendas and Plans for Download

Should you wish to access an agenda for a public meeting, please visit Jersey City's Calendar. Links to join the virtual meetings are provided on the agenda and on the Jersey City Calendar.

Agendas have hyperlinks to digital plans, reports and other materials for all application to be presented by the boards or commissions. Within the agenda, click on a link for the case you wish to review. Alternatively, you can search by address or case number to review digital plans at the Jersey City Data Portal. Plans for cases will be made available on the portal after agendas are sunshined.

If you wish to receive an email notice of when staff publishes materials on the portal, create a login, navigate to the dataset you are interested in, and select the "follow" button to receive alerts.

Meeting Access Instructions

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

Standards, Forms, Maps and Links

The Historic Preservation Commission works to identify, record and protect buildings, sites, places, structures, objects or landscape features of significant historical, architectural, social and archaeological value.

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. Email us to find out more information about future events.

Introduction to City Planning Presentation Slides (Jan. 2023)

Contact Info

phone(201) 547-5010
1 Jackson Square, 2nd floor
Jersey City, NJ 07305

Tanya Marione, PP, AICP
Director

Division Email List
Directions
[email protected]

Jersey City

City Planning