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Local Planning
Working with the state’s 564 municipalities who have the power to plan and zone for development.
The Municipal Land Use Law (NJSA 40:55D-1) grants towns the power to enact a master plan to set land-use priorities and direction, as well as adopt a zoning ordinance to dictate where and in what form development should happen, all with the purpose of protecting the health, safety and welfare of citizens.
The local zoning administrator, as well as the volunteer planning and zoning board members, have the responsibility to interpret and enforce the community’s master plan and zoning ordinance.
Because development impacts do not stop at municipal borders, it is important to provide communities with the necessary guidance, tools, laws, and regulations to make sound land-use decisions that reflect the broader planning context.
That’s where New Jersey Future comes into play as a resource to these communities, offering expertise in community engagement, research, and guidance on how to plan with smart growth principles in mind. Connect with us and check out our resources.
07/01/2025
Planning with Purpose: Beth Osborne Calls for Local Leadership and Smart Coalitions
06/30/2025
Building the Future: Actions to Achieve Great Homes and Neighborhoods in New Jersey and Beyond
06/30/2025
“A Historically High Level of Compliance:” New Jersey Towns Are Making Progress in Meeting Their Affordable Housing Targets
07/20/2023
Promoting Integration at the Local Level
09/22/2022
New NJF Report Explores How to Promote Racial Integration in NJ Municipalities
04/12/2021
Single-Family Zoning: An Idea Whose Time Has Passed?
11/10/2020
Visualizing an Aging-Friendly Built Environment for Implementation in Ridgewood Village
11/11/2019
Where does impervious cover have the biggest impact?
10/14/2019
Local Implementation Planning in Ridgewood Village Will Help Create Great Places to Age in New Jersey
02/27/2019
New Jersey Future Sends Letter to Governor Urging Him To Sign Stormwater Utility Legislation
02/04/2019
New Jersey Future Submits Comments on Proposed Stormwater Rule Amendments
01/14/2019
New Jersey Future’s David Kutner To Receive Statewide Planning Award
01/02/2019
Comments on Phase 1 Stormwater Rule Amendment
12/06/2018
DEP Moves to Require Green Infrastructure for Stormwater Management
11/02/2018
A Better Way To Plan for Traffic Effects of New Development
10/23/2018
New Jersey Future Releases Action Plan for Trenton Transit Center Area
10/23/2018
DEP Gathers Input at Coastal Resilience Summit on Local Actions To Plan for Climate Change
10/12/2018
New Jersey Future Contributes Resiliency Planning Chapter to Planning Guide
10/02/2018
New Jersey Future To Participate in Trenton Innovation Challenge Grant
09/25/2018
Stormwater Camp: A Summer Week To Remember
09/04/2018
New Model Ordinance Will Help Reduce Polluted Runoff in New Jersey
07/19/2018
New Report Highlights Green Infrastructure Financing Opportunities
05/31/2018
DOT Offers Help in Applying for Federal Transportation Grants
05/16/2018
Green Infrastructure Draws Attention at Atlantic Builders Convention
05/01/2018
Exploring Green Infrastructure Options for Your Project? These Tools Can Help.
04/10/2018
Opportunity Zones Take Another Step Forward
04/04/2018
How Do We Pay for New Jersey’s Aging Stormwater Infrastructure?
04/02/2018
A Competition Over Placemaking
03/30/2018
Maximizing the Impact of Public-Private Partnerships
03/29/2018
Making New Jersey’s Communities More Aging-Friendly
03/20/2018
Millennials: What Do They Want?
03/16/2018
The New Leadership Is Local
02/06/2018
Workshop Highlights the Benefits of Green Infrastructure to Developers
12/13/2017
New Report Outlines Coastal Resilience Strategies
10/25/2017
New Report Shows New Jersey Is Still on the ‘Long Road Home’ After Sandy
10/18/2017
Symposium Addresses Dangers of Inaction on Climate Change
09/28/2017
Analysis: New Jersey Is Losing Its Millennials
09/19/2017
Gubernatorial Candidates on Key Issues Facing New Jersey
09/18/2017
Proposed Rule Change Would Allow Development on Piers
05/23/2017
Report: Changes in Affordable Housing Tax Credit Criteria Move More People to High-Opportunity Areas
04/11/2017
What is the Value of Green Infrastructure? New Tools and Events Drill Down
04/10/2017
Forum Roundup: Reinforce Your Redevelopment Strategy With Good Data
04/05/2017
Forum Roundup: Making the Affordable Housing Numbers Work(able)
03/27/2017
Forum Roundup: Reimagining the Suburbs
03/23/2017
Guide Helps Unlock New Resources for Stormwater Management
03/20/2017
Forum Roundtable: Getting to a Regional Approach to Coastal Resilience
03/20/2017
Forum Roundup: The Changing Downtown Retail Paradigm
03/10/2017
Recommendations for the Next Governor
02/17/2017
Planning for Sea-Level Rise VI: Tax Districts
02/16/2017
Planning for Sea-Level Rise V: Overlay Zones
02/08/2017
Planning for Sea-Level Rise IV: Changes to Building and Site Standards
02/08/2017
Planning for Sea-Level Rise III: Restricting Development
01/24/2017
Developers Convention To Address ‘Why Green Infrastructure?’
01/10/2017
Planning for Sea-Level Rise II: Redirecting Development
01/10/2017
Planning for Sea-Level Rise I: Accounting for Damage
12/06/2016
Remembering Al Koeppe
11/08/2016
New Reports Assess State’s Exposure to Sea-Level Rise
10/12/2016
New Jersey Recovery Fund Shares Post-Sandy Resiliency Lessons With Chinese Delegation
09/28/2016
NJ Spotlight on Cities Looks Toward an Urban Agenda for New Jersey
08/22/2016
School District Regionalization: The Land-Use Connection
07/28/2016
Jersey Water Works Membership Meeting: Collaboration Is the Key
07/27/2016
Three Communities Step Up To Mainstream Green Infrastructure
06/24/2016
Design Professionals Walk Away With Practical Green Infrastructure Insights
06/23/2016
New Jersey Future Wins National Award for Sandy Report
06/02/2016
New Jersey Future’s Teri Jover Named Sustainability Hero
05/25/2016
Three New Jersey Cities Selected To Accelerate Water Infrastructure Innovation
05/23/2016
Smart Growth Award-Winner Wesmont Station Opens
05/17/2016
Leaders From 34 Municipalities Learn About Green Infrastructure
05/16/2016
Infrastructure Matters
05/13/2016
Fifteen Years of Smart Growth Success
04/18/2016
Demand for Transit Neighborhoods on the Rise
04/04/2016
The Greatest Danger Facing New Jersey’s Water Infrastructure: The Unknown
03/28/2016
Forum Roundup: The Mega-Ships Are Here! Are We Ready?
03/23/2016
Forum Roundup: Finding the Opportunities in Affordable Housing
03/15/2016
Design Competition Aims To Accelerate Water Infrastructure Innovation
02/18/2016
Would Buyouts Be Good for Flood-Prone Mystic Island?
01/27/2016
Bayside Flooding Highlights Inherent Vulnerability of Barrier Islands
01/26/2016
Overcoming Developer Obstacles to Redevelopment
01/13/2016
Smart Growth in the Somerset Hills
12/15/2015
Conference Pinpoints Water as Defining Issue for Next Generation
12/15/2015
Introducing Jersey Water Works!
12/15/2015
Workshop Focuses on Helping Coastal Communities Confront Climate Risks
12/08/2015
Can New Jersey’s Older Residents Afford Their Housing?
11/19/2015
New Jersey Gets a D+ on New Climate Preparedness Report Card
11/10/2015
Report: Fiscal Implications of Development Patterns on Road Usage
11/03/2015
New Jersey Future Celebrates George Pruitt
10/28/2015
Rebuild By Design Resiliency Projects: A Status Update
10/27/2015
Are Towns in a Better Position to Make Long-Term Resiliency Decisions?
10/26/2015
NJ Spotlight on Cities: Successful Development Requires a Community’s Blessing
10/19/2015
New Driver for Downtown Economic Development in Trenton
09/10/2015
Surgeon General’s #StepItUp Campaign Highlights Land-Use Challenges to Regular Walking
08/14/2015
Entering a New Era of New Jersey Urban Water Quality
07/30/2015
Can Somerset County Attract Millennials?
07/08/2015
Making Our Coastline Both Resilient and Prosperous
07/01/2015
Survey Will Gather Input on Health Effects of Flooding in Hoboken
06/29/2015
New Jersey Moves to Final Round in National Disaster Resiliency Competition
06/22/2015
New Study Shines a Light on Mixed-Income Housing Around New Jersey’s Transit Stations
06/18/2015
New Report Highlights National Trend: Corporations Are Investing Downtown
05/13/2015
The Public Wins a Strengthened Role in Rebuild By Design Projects
05/13/2015
Incorporating Green Infrastructure: The Time Is Now
04/28/2015
Planning Our Coastal Future: Little Egg Harbor and Tuckerton
04/28/2015
League of Municipalities Executive Director To Retire
04/10/2015
Forum Plenary: Impact Investing and Systems Thinking
03/30/2015
2015 Smart Growth Award Winners Announced
03/26/2015
Opinion: Bill To Reform Meadowlands Commission an Ill-Planned Clean-Up Attempt
03/18/2015
Meadowlands ‘Cleanup Bill’ Needs Cleaning Up
03/17/2015
Release of Combined-Sewer Permits Should Trigger Generational Investments in Affected Communities
03/10/2015
COAH Decision Will Allow New Jersey To Move Forward With Fair Housing Process
02/19/2015
DEP Approves Permits To Restore Assunpink Creek
02/17/2015
Experts Detail Challenges of Adapting to Climate Change
02/06/2015
New Jersey Future Vulnerability Assessment Process To Be Presented at National Conference
02/02/2015
White House Executive Order May Make Shore Communities Less Vulnerable to Storm Damage
01/23/2015
Extending Approval for State Plan Centers Could Harm Coastal Towns
01/20/2015
Workshop Attendees Learn Innovative Approaches to Addressing Combined-Sewer Overflows
01/15/2015
Reinvesting in Urban Water Infrastructure through Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plans
12/12/2014
New Jersey Lags Behind in Some Key Real Estate Trends
11/19/2014
Downtown Revitalization Survey Shows Need for Towns To Be More Proactive
10/28/2014
Preparing for the Next Sandy Requires Facing Hard Facts
10/22/2014
Water Infrastructure Funds: An Opportunity To Make Communities More Resilient
10/06/2014
Princeton Is First New Jersey Community To Earn WHO ‘Age-Friendly’ Designation
09/30/2014
New Jersey Future Partners With Lincoln Institute To Host Resiliency Symposium
09/23/2014
New Jersey Future To Honor Trustee Henry A. Coleman
09/17/2014
Survey Will Help Identify Downtown Revitalization Needs
09/16/2014
Stormwater Utilities: A Tool for Managing Rainwater Runoff
09/11/2014
Sept. 15 Community Meeting Will Focus on Reopening of Downtown Trenton’s Assunpink Creek
09/11/2014
Delegation From Japan Visits To Compare Notes on Disaster Preparedness
08/27/2014
Documentary About Coastal Development in New Jersey To Be Shown in Rumson
08/26/2014
Survey Will Help Sandy-Affected Towns Address Future Flood Risks
08/01/2014
Proposed CAFRA Rule Amendment Increases Dangers from Flooding and Future Storms
07/29/2014
New Report Highlights Opportunities To Protect Pinelands Water Resources
07/24/2014
Bell Labs Redevelopment a Sign of the Future
07/02/2014
Hopewell Becomes First Municipality in New Jersey To Adopt Complete Streets Ordinance
06/25/2014
Placing Economic Value on Natural Systems
06/03/2014
Getting to Resilience in Sea Bright
05/06/2014
New Report Highlights State’s Water Infrastructure Crisis
05/03/2014
Sandy Action Plan Amendment Planning Letter
04/24/2014
Highlands Development Regulations Not Responsible for Exurban Slowdown
04/01/2014
2014 Smart Growth Awards Announced
03/07/2014
NRDC: Risk Assessment Must Be Part of New Jersey’s Sandy Recovery Programs
02/12/2014
Proposed Sandy Plan Still Puts Taxpayer Dollars at Risk
02/06/2014
UPDATED: Three Public Hearings Scheduled on New Sandy Action Plan
11/19/2013
New Jersey Future Offers Grants To Foster Noncontiguous Clustering
11/13/2013
HUD Releases Notice for Second Round of Sandy Disaster Recovery Funding
11/04/2013
Nominations Now Open for 2014 Smart Growth Awards
11/01/2013
Complete Streets: ‘A Rational Response to Irrational Thinking’
10/30/2013
Lessons From Sandy: Planning for What Lies Ahead
10/16/2013
Somerset County’s Investment Framework Gets State Planning Commission Support
09/25/2013
Voters in S. Hunterdon Approve Regional School District
09/10/2013
Five Ways Social Entrepreneurship Could Disrupt Traditional Planning and Development
09/04/2013
Time for New Jersey to be Smarter than the Storm
08/19/2013
Sandy Rebuilding Task Force Issues Recommendations
08/08/2013
Governor Signs Bill Improving Municipal Tools for Cluster Development
08/05/2013
New Jersey Experience with Sandy Rebuilding Suggests Ways to Improve Federal Assistance
08/02/2013
Upward Economic Mobility Is a Land-Use Issue
07/23/2013
Post-Sandy Recovery: Balancing Regional Planning With Home Rule
07/22/2013
Somerset County Releases Study on Repurposing Under-Utilized Commercial Properties
07/19/2013
Memo to Municipalities: Get Creative and Flexible if You Want Those Office Parks Redeveloped
07/02/2013
Addressing the Growing Issue of Obsolete Office Parks
06/18/2013
Somerset County Forum Highlights Economic Competitiveness Needs
06/17/2013
Post-Sandy Resiliency Planning Assistance Grants Available
06/12/2013
Bill To Increase Aid to Sandy-Stricken Communities Introduced in Congress
05/21/2013
New Report Highlights Fiscal Benefits of Smart-Growth Development
04/30/2013
Cluster Development Bill Sails through the Assembly
04/04/2013
Concern Expressed Over Lack of Planning Funds in Sandy Recovery Action Plan
04/04/2013
Forum Roundup: The Balancing Act Between Ports and Their Hosts
04/01/2013
Incorporating Health Into All Policies
03/26/2013
Forum Roundup: Creative Housing Solutions for Changing Demographics
03/25/2013
Smart Growth Awards 2013 Winners Announced
03/19/2013
Forum Roundup: Auditing New Brunswick’s Walkability
03/13/2013
Cluster Development Bill Ready for Full Vote in Senate and Assembly
02/27/2013
Cluster Development Bill Advances
02/21/2013
So you passed a Complete Streets policy. NOW what?
02/05/2013
HUD Secretary Donovan To Speak at Redevelopment Forum
01/31/2013
Somerset County Pioneers Local Application of State Strategic Plan Investment Criteria
01/30/2013
Position Available: Recovery Planning Manager
01/03/2013
Blaming the Victim in South Jersey Pedestrian Fatalities
01/02/2013
The Coming Boom in White Elephants
12/13/2012
Rebuilding a Resilient New Jersey Shore Conference Recap
11/20/2012
Resilience Demonstration Project Assists Four New Jersey Municipalities
11/02/2012
The Jersey Shore: How To Protect a Treasured Asset?
05/01/2012
Preserving Land through Market Real Estate Transactions: Nine Approaches and Four Success Stories
04/18/2012
359 Municipalities Working Toward Sustainable Jersey Certification
04/18/2012
2012 Smart Growth Award Winners Announced
03/05/2012
New Jersey Isn’t Capitalizing on Demand for Walkable Places
01/27/2012
Why Hunterdon County Should Regionalize Its School Districts
01/04/2012
Demand Grows for Smart-Growth Work Environments
12/09/2011
Byram Township Wins National Smart-Growth Grant
11/17/2011
Compact Downtown Development Offers Property Tax Benefits
10/23/2011
Addressing Obesity Through Smart Planning
10/11/2011
New Jersey Residents Are Concerned About How the State Has Developed
09/29/2011
Menendez Focuses on TOD Funding in Updated Livable Communities Act
08/11/2011
Accommodating Growth in Mercer County
07/07/2011
Revision to Land Use Law Advances Smart Growth
06/26/2011
Smart Growth Photo Contest
06/17/2011
Bill That Undermines Tax Sharing Passes Committee
02/08/2011
Downtown Revitalization Taking Hold in New Jersey’s Deep South
01/20/2011
Ensuring Roads Fit for All Users
12/14/2010
NJ Future Testimony on Affordable Housing Bill
11/10/2010
What Role Should Stadiums Play in Urban Revitalization?
10/14/2010
Regional Planning Efforts Deliver Results
10/27/2009
What People Think About State Planning in New Jersey
09/28/2009
State Planning: A Picture of Neglect
09/27/2009
Room with a View
09/27/2009
Menendez Co-Sponsors TOD Bill
06/01/2009
Seven Innovative Projects Win Smart Growth Awards
02/18/2009
Agreement on Waterfront Plan Buoys Redevelopment in Trenton
04/17/2007
Washington Township and Smart Growth
01/12/2007
Tax Relief without Reform?
03/04/2005
Pacesetters in Historic Preservation
08/10/2004
Smart Conservation and Density
03/21/2003
Impact Fees and Sprawl
12/13/2002
Cyanamid Site and Tax-Sharing
08/01/2001
Saving Land Without The Tax Bite Takes TDRs
06/19/2001
Municipalities Need a “Smart Growth Shield”
02/13/2001
Development Style Can Reduce Road Costs
