Land Acquisition in NJ

Land acquisition in New Jersey involves much more than just buying property. Before construction, one should go through a thorough process ofdue diligence, including zoning analysis andenvironmental assessment. One must also prepare for and complete themulti-step site plan approval process. REDCOM can guide you through every step of this journey.

Due diligence helps identify any red flags—like zoning restrictions, wetlands restrictions, access issues, utility limitations, and other constraints —that could limit, delay or block your project. It is essential to make sure that the land is suitable for your proposed development before you purchase.

Site plan approval is a formal process where the local municipalland use board (planning board / zoning board of adjustment) reviews your proposed development plans. The board assessesitems such as zoning, parking, traffic impacts, environmental impacts, stormwater management, and landscaping. In NJ, thiscritical step is typically required before obtaining building permits.

The municipal planning board or zoning board of adjustment in the borough township or city where the land is located grants site plan approval. Each municipality will have different requirements and procedures, so it is crucial to work with experts familiar with local NJ regulations.

It can vary based on the municipality and project size. It typically takes 3 to 6 months from submission, depending on how complicated your application is and the nature of the outside agency approvals needed.

You don’t need permits just to buy land, but if you plan to develop or build, you will typically need approvals from several agencies – such as the local municipal planning board, the county and soil conservation districts, state environmental agencies, the department of transportation, and even the applicable utility providers.

Zoning regulations in New Jersey determine what you can build and where. You’ll want to check for:

• Permitted uses
• Bulk requirements such as:
  • building setbacks
  • lot coverage
  • height restrictions
  • floor area ratio
  • parking requirements
  • buffers and landscaping criteria
  • sign restrictions
  • lighting criteria

Zoning issues can be a deal-breaker—so make sure you check it early.

Possibly. It requires a formal zoning change application or variance request, which must be approved by the local zoning board of adjustment and/or governing body and can be time-consuming. REDCOM can help guide you through this process.

You will typically need:

• Municipal site plan approval
• County planning board of approval
• Soil erosion certification
• NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) permits (for wetlands, flood hazard areas)
• NJ Department of Transportation permit
• Utility approvals
• Zoning permit
• Building permit

While generally each step must be approved before breaking ground, demolition and/or soil moving may be feasible in some jurisdictions prior to receipt of the building permit.

REDCOM handles everything from land analysis and site planning to full permitting and design-build construction. With decades of NJ experience, we streamline the process, avoid costly delays, and increase your project’s chance of approval.

We specialize in land acquisition and development for:

• Commercial buildings
• Warehouses and industrial parks
• Religious and institutional structures
• Schools and daycare centers
• Mixed-use and redevelopment projects
• Automotive industry facilities

Yes! In fact, we recommend it. We’ll help you evaluate if a parcel is truly “buildable” and guide you through permits, approvals, and zoning—before you invest.

New Jersey is fully incorporated into the various local municipalities, each of which has it’s own zoning criteria. Additionally, much of the state is protected from development by strict environmental protections of flood hazard areas and regulated wetlands.Robust zoning regulations, politically-motivated municipal-level control over approvals, and municipalities’ role in overseeing and enforcing outside agency approvals result in a complicated and time-consuming process. Without local expertise, projects can easily be delayed or denied.