Howell, NJ Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 154 of the Howell Township Code was adopted 7-12-2022 by Ord. No. O-22-31 and applies to all proposed development in the flood hazard areas set out in Article II. The Township joined the National Flood Insurance Program on January 6, 1983. The mapped zones come from the Flood Insurance Study for Monmouth County, New Jersey (All Jurisdictions), dated September 25, 2009 and revised June 20, 2018 and June 15, 2022, together with the FIRM panels listed in Table 154-2.2C(1). The Township Council also recognizes that the state regulated flood hazard area can be wider than the FEMA special flood hazard area, because the Flood Hazard Area Control Act covers unstudied watersheds of 50 acres or more and most riparian zones. Maps and studies are on file with the Construction Official at 4567 Route 9, Community Development Department, Second Floor, Howell, NJ 07731.

Under § 154-4.1, any person who intends to conduct development in a flood hazard area applies to the Floodplain Administrator first, and a floodplain development permit can be required on top of a building permit. In riverine areas with design flood elevations but no designated floodway, § 154-3.9 bars new construction, substantial improvement and fill unless an engineer's analysis shows no rise in the design flood elevation of more than 0.2 foot. Floodway encroachment needs a licensed engineer's certification of no increase in the base flood level. Watercourse alterations require notice to adjacent jurisdictions and NJDEP. Development in riparian zones, which range from 50 to 300 feet, is prohibited unless NJDEP has issued the required permit first. Substantial improvement reviews look back over 10 years of permits. If chapter 154 conflicts with another ordinance, the more restrictive one governs under § 154-1.9.