How to Build a Complete Application for an NJ Pinelands Approval

If you’re planning a development project in New Jersey’s Pinelands, whether it’s a shiny new warehouse, a recycling facility, retail space, or even just expanding what’s already there, you’re most likely eventually going to face a big milestone: submitting an application to the Pinelands Commission.

And if you’re thinking, “It’s just another form like planning board or DEP, right?”, we’ve got some news for you: it’s not. The Pinelands Commission lives in its own regulatory universe, powered by the Pinelands Protection Act and the Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP).

If you’ve never dealt with them before, buckle up. There are a lot of rules, a lot of environmental complexity, and plenty of ways for things to stall. We’ve seen solid projects sit in limbo for months (even years!) because of a small application misstep. And if this all sounds a little too much to handle on your own, we get it - reach out to our Pinelands experts here and we'll take care of the rest.

Table of Contents

• First: Do You Even Need a Pinelands Application?
• What the Pinelands Commission Expects from You
  
  • 1. The Official Application Form
  • 2. A Current Survey or Base Map
  • 3. Site Plans or Layouts
  • 4. Environmental Documentation
  • 5. Existing Use & Permit Documentation
  • 6. Proof of Zoning Consistency
  • 7. Application Fees
  • 8. Additional Requests for Complex or Industrial Sites
• Important Note! This Is Just Step 1: The Certificate of Filing
• How Long Will This Take?
• How RMA Helps You Avoid the Pinelands Pitfalls

First: Do You Even Need a Pinelands Application?

Not every project in South Jersey triggers the Commission’s review, but most do. The Pinelands covers over a million acres across seven counties and 50+ towns, so don’t assume you’re exempt. If your project qualifies as “development” in their eyes, you’re in their jurisdiction.

You’ll likely need to file if you’re:

• Constructing a new industrial or commercial building
• Expanding an existing footprint
• Adding parking or impervious surfaces
• Doing site grading, clearing, or filling
• Subdividing land
• Operating mining, bulk storage, or recycling facilities
• Installing stormwater or utility infrastructure
• Building solar or energy systems
• Disturbing wetlands or endangered species habitat
• And a lot more

Even if you’re “just upgrading” an existing site, you could still be on the hook. Don’t assume small changes get a free pass. If you're not sure if your project will require a Pinelands Approval, reach out to talk to one of our Pinelands experts here!

What the Pinelands Commission Expects from You: Application Details

Submitting to the Commission is not a “fill out one form and cross your fingers” kind of deal. They expect a complete, coordinated application package that shows you’ve thought through every environmental and regulatory angle. Miss a detail, and your project can stall before it even starts moving. Here’s what they’ll want to see:

1. The Official Application Form

This one sounds basic, but don’t underestimate it. You’ll need to provide:

• A clear project description
• Block and lot numbers
• Property owner and applicant details
• Total site acreage and proposed disturbance area
• Existing and proposed land uses
• And more

Warning: If this form is incomplete or inconsistent with your plans, the Commission won’t even start reviewing your file. We’ve seen projects sit for months because of one unchecked box.

2. A Current Survey or Base Map

The Commission wants a professional, to-scale map (from a licensed engineer or surveyor) showing:

• Property boundaries and zoning districts
• Wetlands, streams, and their buffers
• Existing roads, utilities, and structures
• Topography and grading information
• Easements, rights-of-way, and access points
• And more

This is the “master document” that everything else must align with. If your site plan doesn’t match your survey, expect delays.

3. Site Plans or Layouts

Think of this as the “what are you actually building?” package. These plans should include:

• Building footprints, dimensions, and setbacks
• Parking, loading areas, and driveways
• Water, sewer, or septic layouts
• Stormwater basins, swales, or other management features
• Lighting, fencing, and signage details
• And more

Pro Tip: Everything here must match your survey and application form exactly. Inconsistent acreage, disturbance areas, or use types are a top reason applications bounce back.

4. Environmental Documentation

This is where things often get complicated. Depending on your site, you may need some or all of the following studies and reports:

• Threatened & Endangered Species Habitat Surveys - If you’ve got pine snakes, tree frogs, bald eagles, or rare plants on site, you’ll need season-specific fieldwork and possibly mitigation plans.
• Wetlands Delineation - Even if you’re not building directly in wetlands, buffers count. You may need an official Letter of Interpretation (LOI) or a delineation map.
• Stormwater Management Plan - Required if you’re adding impervious cover. It must meet NJDEP standards and Pinelands rules.
• Soils & Septic System Analysis - If you’re not on public sewer, expect soil logs, percolation tests, and nitrate dilution modeling to prove compliance with septic density rules.
• Historic or Cultural Resource Review - Older sites often require clearance from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

Translation: This is the section that adds months if you’re not prepared. Schedule surveys and fieldwork early so you don’t miss seasonal windows.

5. Existing Use & Permit Documentation

The Commission wants to see a record of what’s already been approved and what infrastructure is in place. This can include:

• Copies of local planning board or zoning approvals
• Proof of prior development (photos, permits, or as-builts)
• Utility availability (water, sewer, electric, gas)
• Property deeds and ownership documents
• Any existing environmental permits
• Any prior Pinelands Commission decisions tied to the site

6. Proof of Zoning Consistency

Even if your town has already greenlit the project, the Commission wants independent confirmation that your project lines up with the local Master Plan and zoning ordinances. This is a common pitfall (and one of the easiest ways to get stuck in limbo).

In layman's terms? They want to make sure you're not proposing a new asphalt plant just outside a residential neighborhood. Because that's not going to fly. 

7. Application Fees

Yes, there are fees, and not just one. Depending on your project, you may be responsible for:

• Application processing fees
• Site inspection fees
• Technical review fees (for wetlands, T&E species, hydrogeology, etc.)
• Public hearing fees (if required)
• Monitoring or restoration plan fees

Budget tip: Don’t wait for these to catch you off guard. Build them into your project cost estimates from day one.

8. Additional Requests for Complex or Industrial Sites

If your project has bigger impacts, expect the Commission to ask for extra studies. These may include:

• Hydrogeologic studies for wells or groundwater impacts
• Traffic impact analysis for busy corridors
• Air quality or emissions reports for industrial facilities
• Additional NJDEP permits 
• Mitigation or restoration plans if impacts can’t be avoided

Bottom line: If your project could affect water, air, land, traffic, or habitat, they’ll want documentation that shows you’ve thought it through.

Important Note! This Is Just Step 1: The Certificate of Filing

Here’s the part a lot of teams miss: everything you just submitted is only for your Certificate of Filing. That’s step ONE in the full Pinelands approval process. When the Commission issues this Certificate, it simply means:

• Your project falls under their jurisdiction
• You’ve shown how it will (or must) comply with the Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP)
• You’re cleared to move forward to the next step (but not to build yet)

The Certificate of Filing is not a construction approval. Think of it like a boarding pass - it gets you through the gate, but it doesn’t get the plane off the ground. After this, you’ll still need local or county approvals (like planning board, zoning, or septic permits), and then a final review back at the Commission before you’re truly cleared.

For the full breakdown of the 3-Step Pinelands Approval Process (Certificate of Filing, Local Approval, and Final “No Call-Up” Letter) check out our guide: New Jersey’s Pinelands Approval Process, Explained Like a Human.

How Long Will This Take?

In a perfect world? If your application is perfect and the Commission is quick (they usually aren't!), you could have a Certificate of Filing within 30–60 days. But don't get your hopes up on that. Reality usually looks more like:

• Follow-up questions and data requests
• Several additional months if wetlands or habitat are involved
• Indefinite delays if you submit an incomplete package

In reality, you should expect the process to take 6 months or more. And unfortunately, they can drag on for years if you don't know what you're doing. We’ve seen too many projects stall because no one was steering the process. That’s why it helps to have a guide who’s done this hundreds of times before.

How RMA Helps You Avoid the Pinelands Pitfalls

Yeah, the Pinelands Approval application is... a lot. The good news? We’ve prepared and submitted hundreds of Pinelands applications (and rescued plenty of stalled ones, too). We know the details the Commission doesn’t publish, the tripwires that cause delays, and how to keep your project moving. When you work with us, we:

• Confirm whether your project even requires Pinelands approval
• Map out exactly what documentation you’ll need
• Coordinate engineers, surveyors, and architects
• Handle Commission communication on your behalf
• Respond to requests quickly and completely
• Help you avoid delays, extra fees, and rejections

This isn’t our first time through the woods. If you’re not sure what your project needs... or if you’re already stuck in the process - don’t wait until you’ve lost months of progress. Contact us today and we’ll help you map out a clear path forward.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Let’s get it done right.