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[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Across New Jersey, communities have used planning to protect local historic resources. Our office offers programs to aid these efforts, including the Certified Local Government Program (CLG). We also provide technical assistance and resources for all municipalities. Regardless of your experience in historic preservation techniques, we can help your community.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1710184661651{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][info-box-shortcode icon=”fas fa-tasks” title=”Get involved in local preservation” buttonlink=”https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/hpo\/programs\/community\/get-involved\/”]Unsure where to start? Follow this checklist and find out which actions your community still needs to take.[\/info-box-shortcode][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”hpo-callout-box-paleblue”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]This program helps communities actively promote historic preservation at a local level. It strengthens municipal planning and historic preservation programs through recognized standards. Municipalities must meet, then sustain these standards to stay in the program. In turn, this opens up a multitude of opportunities. Among other benefits, communities can<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1710184673960{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][info-box-shortcode icon=”fas fa-hands-helping” title=”Certified Local Government Program” buttonlink=”https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/hpo\/programs\/community\/clg\/”]Help your community meet CLG standards and find funding opportunities.[\/info-box-shortcode][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Local stewardship is the most effective way to protect historic resources and the heritage they represent. These local initiatives may take the form of:<\/p>\n
HPO supports historic preservation in New Jersey’s communities through a variety of programs.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Preserving historic buildings has environmental, social and economic benefits. Municipalities can reap these benefits by creating a Historic Preservation Element (HPE) for their Municipal Master Plan. The larger plan acts as a foundation for local zoning and land use ordinances. An HPE opens access to more preservation tools, like ordinances addressing historic preservation. These, in turn, help municipalities control sustainable development and foster a higher quality of life.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1712766511321{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1712765900628{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][vc_column_text]The Municipal Land Use Law<\/dfn> (MLUL) grants power to communities over development. Municipalities can exercise that power by adopting \u2026<\/p>\n Since 1986, the MLUL has included historic preservation zoning. Municipalities have the authority to identify, evaluate, designate and regulate historic resources. This grants communities municipal-level powers to protect both individual sites and historic districts.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1774468794204{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][info-box-shortcode icon=”fa fa-solid fa-book-open” title=”Historic Preservation Sections of New Jersey\u2019s Municipal Land Use Law and fair housing code” buttonlink=”https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/hpo\/news\/posts\/2025\/08\/05\/nj-mlul-fair-housing-code\/” targetlink=”true”]Download the PDF version for printing or desktop computer use. We now offer an EPUB version for e-readers and mobile devices as well.[\/info-box-shortcode][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The historic preservation ordinance is an extension of the municipality\u2019s zoning laws. A municipality should tailor it to the community’s character and historic preservation goals. Typically, these ordinances deal with the designation and protection of<\/p>\n Such ordinances generally<\/p>\n As a result, these ordinances tie together land use decisions and preservation at the local level.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Municipal-level designation and regulation is the most effective way to protect historic resources. One valuable tool, a zoning ordinance, can both<\/p>\n The MLUL treats historic preservation designation as an \u201coverlay\u201d to zoning. As Section 65.1 states, historic designation is Historic preservation ordinances grant varying degrees of authority to each board or commission. Ordinances adopted pursuant to the requirements of the MLUL generally contain:<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1710184695727{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][info-box-shortcode icon=”fas fa-users” title=”Historic Preservation Commissions” buttonlink=”https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/hpo\/programs\/community\/hpc\/”]Learn how to set up and run an effective commission.[\/info-box-shortcode][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Historic Preservation Commissions usually apply the Secretary of the Interior\u2019s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties<\/cite> (“Standards”) when reviewing permit applications. These Standards apply to a variety of historic resource types, including<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1710184723321{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][info-box-shortcode icon=”fa fa-solid fa-book-open” title=”The Secretary of the Interior\u2019s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring & Reconstructing Historic Buildings” buttonlink=”https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/hpo\/news\/posts\/2017\/05\/16\/secretary-standards-treatments\/” targetlink=”true”]Download our archived PDF copy of the Standards (originally from NPS.gov) or read NPS’s current online version.[\/info-box-shortcode][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text css=””]On March 5, 2018, the New Jersey Register of Historic Places<\/a> adopted several changes to the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (UCC), developed by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA)<\/a> \u2014 Division of Codes and Standards<\/a>. The New Jersey Historic Preservation Office received numerous inquiries about these code changes and how they affect local historic preservation and resource protection. To guide local officials and historic preservation commissions (HPCs) through these issues, we met with Division of Codes and Standards staff to discuss the revisions and prepare this document.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1710184723321{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][info-box-shortcode icon=”fa fa-solid fa-book-open” title=”Changes to minor work and ordinary maintenance \u2014 impact on historic districts” buttonlink=”https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/hpo\/news\/posts\/2019\/03\/31\/changes-to-minor-work-and-ordinary-maintenance-impact-on-historic-districts\/” targetlink=”true”]Download the PDF version for printing or desktop computer use. We now offer an EPUB version as well for e-readers and mobile devices.[\/info-box-shortcode][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=”yes”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Municipalities in NJ can raise the stature and protection of archaeological sites within their boundaries through municipal master plans and designation pursuant to local historic preservation ordinances. Several communities have included archaeological sites in their local preservation program. In particular, the following have incorporated consideration of archaeology through survey, designations and design review:<\/p>\n\n
The importance of planning and zoning<\/h4>\n
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Historic preservation ordinances<\/h4>\n
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in addition to such designation and regulation as the zoning ordinance may otherwise require.<\/q><\/p>\n
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Design review<\/h3>\n
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Language changes in the Uniform Construction Code (UCC)<\/h4>\n
Local archaeological site protection<\/h3>\n