Stafford Township, NJ Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Section 114-11 defines where the rules apply. It adopts by reference the FEMA Flood Insurance Study for Ocean County dated September 26, 2006 and the Flood Insurance Rate Maps listed in Table 114-11(A), then requires the Township to compare them against other sources. Subsection B directs Stafford Township to use federal best available information, including advisory flood hazard area maps, work maps and preliminary FIS and FIRM data, where it shows higher flood elevations or larger flood hazard areas. Subsection C adds high-water elevations from flood events, groundwater flooding areas and studies by federal or state agencies, and bars any information that produces less restrictive flood elevations, design standards or smaller flood hazard areas than the first two sources. The maps and studies are on file at the Stafford Township Municipal Building, 260 East Bay Avenue, Manahawkin.

Chapter 114 reaches a wide range of work. Section 114-10 lists the subdivision of land, site improvements and utilities, manufactured homes, recreational vehicles, new construction, additions, substantial improvement of existing buildings, installation of tanks, temporary structures, temporary or permanent storage, and Group U utility structures. Under § 114-29, anyone who intends to conduct any development in a flood hazard area must first apply to the Floodplain Administrator and obtain the required permit, and § 114-13 designates the Construction Code Official as the Floodplain Administrator. Under § 114-25, development in riparian zones is prohibited unless the applicant first holds the required NJDEP individual or general permit, permit by rule or permit by certification; the riparian zone width runs between 50 feet and 300 feet depending on the waterbody. Where Chapter 114 conflicts with another ordinance, § 114-9 makes the more restrictive one govern, and § 114-6 warns that land outside the mapped areas is not guaranteed to stay free from flooding.