Stafford Township, NJ Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)

Section 211-9G(2) governs docks where the Pinelands Area overlaps wetlands. The opening rule is a ban: no development shall be permitted in a wetland or wetlands transition area except for the listed uses. Private docks, piers, moorings and boat launches for the use of a landowner make the list, provided there is no significant adverse impact on the wetland. Commercial or public docks, piers, moorings and boat launches must meet three conditions: a demonstrated need for the facility that cannot be met by existing facilities, conformance with all state and federal regulations, and no significant adverse impact. Beyond the wetland itself, performance standard G(2)(b)[1] bars development within 300 feet of any wetland unless the applicant demonstrates that it will not cause a significant adverse impact, and that determination considers the cumulative modifications of the wetland from the proposed and any other existing or potential development. Section 211-9 also provides that no building permit shall be issued without first obtaining all development approvals under the chapter, so the Pinelands review comes before the construction permit.

Dredging at a dock is a separate approval. Under § 114-95C, no one may dig, pump out or dispose of soil material from a boat basin, boat docking facility, lagoon, stream, channel, bay or marina without an engineering permit from the Township. The Township Engineer enforces the permit under §§ 114-93 and 114-96. The application carries a $400 fee for a residential property or $11,000 for a commercial property, plus inspection fees, and requires a $1 million certificate of insurance naming the Township of Stafford as additional insured. Township dredging permits cover designated slips and navigational channels beyond five feet from existing bulkheads to a maximum depth of -5 feet mean low water, and dredging that exceeds the Township authorizations requires individual permits from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Army Corps of Engineers.