Monroe Township (Gloucester County), NJ Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Section 175-97(G)(1) requires a zoning permit and a building permit for the installation of a small wind or solar energy system. The owner applies to the Zoning Officer for the zoning permit and then to the Construction Official for the building permit. In every zoning district inside the Pinelands Area, a certificate of filing from the Pinelands Commission must be obtained before either permit issues for a solar system that is not on an existing structure (rooftop) or on an existing impervious surface (ground arrays).

The zoning application needs a plot plan showing property lines and dimensions, existing major structures, the location, dimensions and type of the proposed system, any contiguous public road right-of-way, overhead utility lines, system specifications including manufacturer and model, panel height and color, notification of the utility company for interconnection, and the Pinelands certificate where required. The building permit application adds the manufacturer's catalogue cut sheets, specifications and installation guidelines. The Zoning Officer and Construction Official judge whether the plans carry enough accurate information.

Fees come from two schedules. Under § 74-36, a zoning permit for a residential solar install (roof or ground) costs $100 and nonresidential solar costs $150. The construction permit schedule in § 104-18 prices photovoltaic systems by kilowatt rating: $65 for one to 50 kilowatts, $129 for 51 to 100 kilowatts, and $640 above 100 kilowatts.

Design limits shape what the permit approves. Rooftop panels cannot exceed 12 inches in height or overhang the rooftop. Ground arrays need a minimum lot of three acres, a 50 foot setback from all property lines, no front yard placement, and a height of no more than eight feet. Glare must be directed away from adjoining property, and noise cannot exceed 35 dBA at a common property line between residential uses or zones.