A 4556 New Jersey General Assembly · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Authorizes certain types of permanent structures, recently constructed or erected on preserved farmland, to be used, in certain cases, for purposes of holding special occasion events thereon.

This bill allows commercial farms on preserved farmland (that produce at least $10,000 annually in agricultural products) to host special occasion events like weddings and parties on their land. It specifically permits the use of permanent structures built within the last five years for these events, provided the total revenue from such events doesn't exceed 10% of the farm's annual revenue. Farms must obtain approval from the entity holding the farmland preservation deed, and events are limited to 26 per year with restrictions on size (max 10 acres or 10% of land) and guest numbers (max 250 for six events). Temporary structures like tents are allowed year-round with certain restrictions, while permanent structures built more than five years ago can always be used.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jun 2024

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jun 13, 2024 Last action Feb 27, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced Version → Reprint ACE 12/16/24 1R · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill adds a new exception allowing wineries to use permanent structures built within the last five years on preserved farmland for special occasion events without being subject to the 10 percent revenue cap, provided the structure's primary purpose is facilitating wine or farm-related product activities under the Right to Farm Act. The original 10 percent revenue limit is retained as a second, alternative pathway for non-winery farms. This matters because it removes a significant financial constraint on wineries operating on preserved farmland in New Jersey.

ELIGIBILITY

A new sub-subparagraph (i) creates an exception for wineries: a permanent structure built fewer than five years prior may be used for special occasion events without the 10 percent revenue cap if it is used by a winery, in accordance with the Right to Farm Act, for the primary purpose of facilitating the testing, sale, consumption, or marketing of wine, wine-related products, or farm-related products.

The existing 10 percent revenue cap (total event revenues must not exceed 10 percent of total farm revenues in a calendar year) is renumbered from the sole condition to sub-subparagraph (ii), making it one of two alternative pathways rather than the only one.

REQUIREMENT

The grantee's written approval requirement was updated to confirm compliance with either the new primary purpose and use requirements for wineries (sub-subparagraph i) or the revenue requirements (sub-subparagraph ii), as applicable, rather than only confirming the revenue test.

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading

lower

Dec 16, 2024

Committee

Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments and Referred to Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee

lower

Jun 13, 2024

Introduced

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee

lower

3 primary · 7 co-sponsors