Housing in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2700: Requires certain preliminary approval by municipality prior to licensure of community group homes.

This bill requires community group home applicants to obtain local government approval before applying for a state license. Specifically, it mandates that applicants get a "certificate of preliminary approval" from municipal officials confirming the home meets all local zoning and land use regulations. This applies directly to organizations seeking to operate community group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities or addiction needs. The state department of human services cannot issue a license without this municipal approval, adding a new local review step to the licensing process.

Topics ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

ACR 49: Clarifies housing rights of State residents under State Constitution and prohibits laws requiring municipalities to provide housing opportunities through zoning and land use regulations.

ACR 49 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would clarify New Jersey's constitution by removing any requirement for municipalities to provide housing opportunities for all income levels through zoning or land use regulations. It specifically amends two constitutional sections to state that residents have no constitutional right to housing in every municipality and prohibits the state legislature from passing laws that force municipalities to create housing programs via zoning rules or fees. The amendment would also prevent state laws from overriding local zoning ordinances related to housing. This proposal directly affects municipalities by eliminating potential state mandates for housing development and aims to reverse obligations stemming from the Mount Laurel court cases. The amendment must be approved by voters in a future general election.

Topics ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3255: Establishes process to exempt municipality from certain fair share affordable housing obligations based on flood risk.

This bill (S 3255) would allow New Jersey municipalities to be exempt from affordable housing obligations if designated as "extensively flood-prone" by the Commissioner of Community Affairs. It creates a process where municipalities meeting specific flood-risk criteria - based on flood insurance payments, repetitive loss properties, and other data - would no longer need to fulfill fair share housing requirements. The exemption covers all current, future, and past unfulfilled obligations under the Fair Housing Act (P.L.1985, c.222). The commissioner must adopt rules within three months of the bill's enactment to determine eligibility. This change directly affects municipalities facing significant flood risks, relieving them from housing construction mandates tied to flood vulnerability.

Topics ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 753: Concerns expedited process for foreclosing vacant and abandoned residential properties in uncontested actions.

This bill creates a faster court process for lenders to foreclose on residential properties deemed "vacant and abandoned," directly affecting mortgage lenders and owners of such properties. It defines "vacant and abandoned" through specific evidence (e.g., overgrown vegetation, disconnected utilities, neighbor reports), removes the requirement to serve a "notice to cure" for these cases, and mandates two documented service attempts on the property. The expedited process applies only to uncontested cases where the court confirms abandonment via clear evidence and no defense is filed. This change streamlines foreclosures for properties meeting strict criteria but does not override other foreclosure procedures or apply to timeshares.

Topics ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Mortgages

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3328: Eliminates property tax exempt status of certain school faculty housing.

This bill (S 3328) removes the property tax exemption for housing owned by school districts and occupied by faculty members. Currently, New Jersey law exempts certain school properties from property tax, but explicitly excludes "housing for faculty or other employees." This bill formally eliminates that exemption by amending the tax code to clarify that such faculty housing is no longer exempt. The change directly affects school districts that provide housing to faculty and the faculty members living in it, requiring them to pay property taxes on that housing. The key mechanism is a specific amendment to the state tax code (R.S.54:4-3.6) to remove the exclusion for faculty housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3486: Excludes environmentally sensitive and flood-prone land from designation as vacant or available for purposes of affordable housing construction.

This bill requires New Jersey municipalities to exclude environmentally sensitive and flood-prone land from being counted as available for affordable housing construction. It specifically excludes land regulated by agencies like the Highlands Water Protection Council, flood hazard areas under the Flood Hazard Area Control Act, and wetlands protected by the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act. The law changes current policy by removing the requirement that development must be "prohibited" on such land - now regulated land automatically qualifies for exclusion. This affects municipalities obligated to provide affordable housing under New Jersey's Fair Housing Act, preventing them from using these lands to meet their housing quotas.

Topics ✓ Environment ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Affordable Housing Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3157: Permits landlords to take actions after death of tenant in certain situations.

This bill (A3157) modifies New Jersey's landlord-tenant law to clarify that landlords may pursue eviction after a tenant's death under specific circumstances. It adds a new exception allowing eviction if a dwelling is occupied by an immediate family member of the owner (with a developmental disability), applying existing eviction grounds like nonpayment of rent or lease violations. The change ensures landlords can proceed with eviction actions following a tenant's death when the unit is occupied by the owner's family member with a disability, under the same legal standards as other eviction cases. The bill is currently pending review by the Assembly Housing Committee after its January 2026 introduction.

Topics ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1226: Exempts contaminated and industrially-zoned sites from affordable housing rules.

This bill (A1226) exempts developers from affordable housing requirements and municipal fees when building on contaminated sites (designated by NJDEP) or industrially-zoned land. It directly affects developers working on these specific properties and municipalities that would otherwise enforce affordable housing obligations under the Fair Housing Act (P.L.1985, c.222). The key provision prohibits the Council on Affordable Housing from counting such sites toward a municipality’s affordable housing obligation and bans municipalities from charging fees for development on these lands. This change removes disincentives for remediating contaminated properties and developing industrial zones, which the bill states are necessary for community economic health. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1206: Reduces term of affordability required for affordable housing created through middle housing construction or conversion.

This bill (A-1206) shortens the required affordability period for middle housing developments in New Jersey. It directly affects developers constructing or converting properties to provide housing for moderate-income households (earning 50-80% of the area median income) and low-income households (≤50% of median income). The key change modifies existing law to reduce how long these housing units must remain affordable to qualifying income groups before they can transition to market-rate status. This policy adjustment aims to ease financial constraints for developers while maintaining affordability requirements for target households. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Housing Committee.

Topics ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 40: Proposes Constitutional amendment to limit exercise of eminent domain to acquisition of land for essential public purposes.

SCR 40 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit New Jersey governments' use of eminent domain (taking private property for public use) to specific "essential public purposes." It would remove the current authority to take property for "blighted area" redevelopment, while explicitly listing allowed purposes like utility corridors, schools, prisons, waste facilities, health care, and recreation. The amendment would prohibit government from seizing land solely to eliminate blight but would allow tax exemptions for private redevelopment projects under strict profit limits. This change aims to restrict eminent domain powers as defined in the state constitution, requiring voter approval after legislative passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Energy ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Community Development

All housing bills