With the adoption of Ordinance No. 25-033, the Division of Forestry has amended Chapter 321 to not only require permits for planting a tree in the public right of way, but also for the removal of a public or private tree(s) and for any activity conducted within the Protected Root Zone of a City tree.

The Division of Zoning will now require photos of the front and the rear of the subject property to confirm whether there are existing trees on site. Furthermore, all applicants with construction documents that require existing and/or proposed site plans must include information on existing-to-remain, existing-to-be-removed and proposed trees, including a buffer indicating the Critical Root Radius for existing-to-remain and proposed trees. 

Forestry Permits will be required during the Construction Permit Application process. The following resources are available to successfully apply for a Forestry Permit.

• Forestry Permit Application
• Chapter 321 Forestry (Updated as of 4/9/25)
• Forestry Standards 2023
• Jersey City Tree Protection Guide

A Zoning Determination Letter (ZDL) is a letter provided in response to a request regarding the classification of uses and the interpretation and applicability of Jersey City's Zoning and Land Use Ordinances and Redevelopment plans. A Zoning Review Application (ZRA) is the first step for anyone who is in the process of new construction, rehabilitation, tenant fit out, solar panel installation, or any other work that would require a building permit or approval from the Historic Preservation Office.

You need a ZDL if...

• You need information on a property for financing or insurance reasons
• You need an official interpretation of Jersey City's Zoning and Land Use Ordinances and Redevelopment Plans
  • For example, if your property is (1) located in the R-1 Neighborhood Housing District, and (2) located in Ward C or Ward D, and (3) has a lot width less than 26ft, you can ask if off-street parking is a predominant pattern and would therefor be permitted
• You want to know if your off-street parking is legal in the instance that it is not on the list of approved driveways and carports on the Zoning Driveways and Carports website
• You want to know if a use is permitted for a license from the Division of Commerce

You need a ZRA if...

• You have construction documents of a proposed project on a property
  • Even if you are unsure that the project would be permitted and/or may require additional approvals, the review planner will review the details of the construction documents and guide you on the next steps you must take

Zoning Review Application Checklists are now available! Select the checklist below that applies to the type of project you are proposing. Review the checklist to make sure your application contains all the information necessary to successfully apply.

• ZRA Checklist - New Construction 
• ZRA Checklist - Addition
• ZRA Checklist - Exterior Renovations
• ZRA Checklist - Interior Renovations
• ZRA Checklist - Exterior/Interior Renovations
• ZRA Checklist - Tenant Fit-Out
• ZRA Checklist - Minor Work
• ZRA Checklist - Historic
• ZRA Checklist - Signage
• ZRA Checklist - Certificate of Occupancy
• ZRA Checklist - Land Use Board Approved Plans

As of November 15, 2024, each full set of construction documents will receive a red stamp saying "Released" on the upper right-hand corner with details of the specific application upon approval of a Zoning Review Application. The zoning signature set will be uploaded to the online portal.

The zoning signature set will be required to be submitted as the construction document set in the Construction Permit Application. Only one set of the zoning signature set is required to be printed, signed and sealed by the design professional and presented to Construction Code. 

A Zoning Determination Letter (ZDL) is a letter provided in response to a request regarding the classification of uses and the interpretation and applicability of Jersey City’s Zoning and Land Use Ordinances and Redevelopment Plans. A Letter may include a determination about a specific use being permitted in a certain zoning district, or whether a certain use may retain its legal nonconforming status. Click here to see a video on how to submit a ZDL.

One address per application will be accepted. Once submitted and reviewed by admin, the application will be assigned to a review planner and be completed within 10 business days.

The Division of Housing Preservation oversees the permitting process of Short-Term Rentals (STR) and enforcement of the Short-Term Rental Ordinance. Applicants applying for Short Term Rental permit must first obtain a Zoning Determination Letter - Short Term Rental to include in their Short Term Rental Permit Application. The Division of Zoning determines whether the premises are configured and used in compliance with the Jersey City’s Land Use and Zoning Ordinances and Forestry Standards.

Is my front yard parking space or driveway legal?

In no instance has it ever been permitted for a car to park on the sidewalk.

Prior to 2000, front yard parking was permitted for 1- and 2-dwelling unit buildings as long as there was 18 feet between the building and the front property line. From 2000 onwards, the Division of Zoning prohibited front yard parking altogether. Therefore, no new front yard parking spaces were approved after 2000. If a front yard parking space was created after 2000, it will either need to be shown that it is legally non-conforming or a violation will be issued.

Driveways are the vehicular access to a garage or parking space. All residential "R" zones in Jersey City permit a maximum 10 feet wide curb cut. The Division of Parking issues permits for residents to park overnight in front of their driveway. Jersey City, through the Department of Public Works, also offers driveway paintings. Both of these applications require verification from the Division of Zoning that you have a legal or legally non-conforming driveway.

A (1) legal driveway and (2) legal non-conforming front yard parking space approval is granted by confirming one of the following:

• You have a legal driveway that has access to a garage, side yard, or rear yard parking
• There is an official Zoning approval on record meaning that prior to 2000, a zoning inspector issued a determination based on the fact that your driveway met the minimum 18 feet requirement
• You can show photographic proof that your front yard parking space existed before 2000, and was a minimum of 18 feet deep

Approval will not be granted for any front yard parking that is less than 18 feet, unless it can be shown that it was legally allowed to be through a former approval.

In order to obtain an approval from this office for a determination regarding the legality of your driveway or front yard parking, an application for a Zoning Determination Letter - Driveway must be submitted.

This Division maintains a list of approved driveways and carports that can be accessed here. Please note that being on this list does NOT take the place of a formal approval. A formal approval can only be obtained through filing for a Zoning Determination Letter - Driveway. 

A Zoning Review Application (ZRA) is the first step for anyone who is in the process of new construction, rehabilitation, tenant fit out, solar panel installation, or any other work that would require a building permit or approval from the Historic Preservation Office. This approval is a pre-requisite for all work requiring permits and verifies that the proposed plan complies with the Jersey City’s Land Use and Zoning Ordinances and Forestry Standards.

To successfully submit a ZRA, review the checklists below. Select the checklist below that applies to the type of project you are proposing.

• ZRA Checklist – New Construction
• ZRA Checklist – Addition
• ZRA Checklist – Exterior Renovations
• ZRA Checklist – Interior Renovations
• ZRA Checklist – Exterior/Interior Renovations
• ZRA Checklist – Tenant Fit-Out
• ZRA Checklist – Minor Work
• ZRA Checklist – Historic
• ZRA Checklist - Certificate of Occupancy
• ZRA Checklist – Land Use Board Approved Plans

See the flow chart below to understand the permitting process. Please note that if you wish to resubmit changes post approval, you can contact the review planner of the original application and resubmit the full set of construction documents. A new application is not necessary.


As of April 1, 2024, the Division of Zoning makes determinations on whether an application is “exempt” or “not exempt” from the Residential Development Fee (RDF). To learn more about the Residential Development Fee and exemptions, see Ordinance No. 23-048.  

A Zoning Review Application (ZRA) – Signage is the first step for anyone who is in the process of installing signage on their property. All signage is required to obtain zoning approval prior to applying for a building permit for installation. This approval is a pre-requisite for any application to the Division of Construction Code.

To successfully submit a ZRA, review the checklist below.

• ZRA Checklist - Signage

All applications for demolition in the City of Jersey City are reviewed by the Historic Preservation Office. To apply for a Building Demolition Application, you can use this link on the online portal.

Applications for Certificate of Occupancy (CO), Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO), and Continued Certificate of Occupancy (CCO) are reviewed by the Division of Zoning for compliance with Jersey City’s Land Use and Zoning Ordinances and Forestry Standards. Please note that a CO is not required for the buying, selling or transfer of property if a CO exists for the current use. Download and complete the 270 UCC form for the Certificate of Occupancy application.