Piscataway, NJ Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Adopted in its current form on September 13, 2022 by Ordinance No. 2022-17, Section 21-8A works alongside the Uniform Construction Code's flood provisions and the state Flood Hazard Area Control Act to regulate development located in flood hazard areas, including the subdivision of land and other developments, site improvements and installation of utilities, and new construction, additions, substantial improvements and repair of substantial damage. Section 21-804A.1 requires any person, owner or authorized agent who intends to conduct development in a flood hazard area to first make application to the Floodplain Administrator and obtain the required permit, and the Administrator may determine that a floodplain development permit is required in addition to, not instead of, a building permit.

The Township has participated in the National Flood Insurance Program since January 18, 1984, and Section 21-802A.2 directs the Floodplain Administrator to compare the effective Flood Insurance Rate Map, the most recent preliminary FEMA mapping and state Department of Environmental Protection delineations to find the most restrictive mapping for a given parcel. Development in Riparian Zones under Section 21-803A.13 is prohibited outright unless the applicant first secures a state permit from the NJDEP Division of Land Resource Protection. Section 21-801A.8 makes any violation of Section 21-8A punishable by the same fine and custodial penalty regardless of whether the violation involves fill, construction or another form of unpermitted development.