Stafford Township, NJ Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Solar panels appear in the Stafford Township Code in two operative places rather than in a dedicated solar permit chapter. The first is Chapter 211, § 211-9, which applies only to the Pinelands Area of Stafford Township (§ 211-9A). Under § 211-9C(7), no person may carry out development within the Pinelands Area, and no building permit is issued, without first obtaining all development approvals under the chapter's procedures. Section 211-9D(1)(a) then lists 22 kinds of work that are not subject to those procedures, and item [19] is the installation of an accessory solar energy facility on any existing structure or impervious surface.

The Pinelands definitions in § 211-9B describe a solar energy facility as a solar energy system and all associated components, including panels, arrays, footings, supports, mounting and stabilization devices, inverters and electrical distribution wires, that converts solar energy into usable electrical energy, heats water or produces hot air. Two limits apply. Under § 211-9D(1)(b), the exemptions do not apply to historic resources designated by the Pinelands Commission under N.J.A.C. 7:50-6.154, and under D(1)(c) nothing precludes a local or state agency from reviewing the project under any applicable ordinance or regulation.

The second place is Chapter 111 (Fire Prevention), § 111-8, added 6-19-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-19. Commercial structures with solar panels must carry a permanent emblem: an isosceles triangle 12 inches horizontally by six inches vertically, with a yellow reflective background and a bright orange reflective sun holding a white reflective letter S at least four inches by four inches. It is affixed to the front exterior of the main entrance door, approximately six feet above the ground or as designated by the Fire Official, and the owner installs and maintains it at the owner's expense.

Sample emblems are available at the office of the Fire Official. In a planned real estate development, one emblem at each entrance replaces per-unit emblems unless the Fire Official requires otherwise, and detached one- and two-family homes outside such developments are exempt from the emblem unless the Fire Official requires one.