This series of courses is intended to meet
the educational needs of those municipal employees who serve
as a zoning officer or zoning official in accordance with
the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1
et seq., and who have responsibility for enforcing local
zoning ordinances. The curriculum encompasses Introduction
to Zoning Administration and Enforcement, Understanding
Plans, and Zoning Administration and Enforcement II, as
described in this brochure. Those seeking the Zoning Official
designation offered by Rutgers must enroll in the courses
sequentially in the order they are listed. Refer to the
back panel of this brochure for information about the certificate
program.
General Requirements
University certificates of attendance are awarded upon satisfactory
completion of each course, which is defined as attendance
at 80% of the class hours, full payment of all fees, and attainment
of a passing score where a written examination is required.
Course Descriptions
Introduction to Zoning Administration
and Enforcement - 18 hours
This course focuses on the technical knowledge and skills
necessary for an individual to effectively interpret and enforce
a municipal zoning ordinance. Emphasis is placed on the practical
aspects of the job, including on-site inspections and compliance
options. An introduction to the Municipal Land Use Law is
provided, and the content and structure of zoning ordinances
are thoroughly discussed. A written examination at the conclusion
of the course includes both in-class and take-home components.
Understanding Plans: Site Plan and Subdivision
Review for Zoning Officials - 6 hrs
In this one-day seminar the zoning official is exposed to
some of the technical aspects of site plan and subdivision
review. The administrative processing requirements for both
types of applications are discussed. Planning and engineering
terminology is explained, and the symbols for various physical
features and design elements are identified. Classroom exercises
offer opportunities to become familiar with site plan and
subdivision drawings and to review plans for completeness.
Prerequisite: Intro to Zoning
Admin. & Enforcement
Zoning Administration and Enforcement
II - 16 hours
The third course in the series builds on the first two. Students
are taught advanced plan reading skills, zoning case law,
advanced administrative and investigative techniques, and
communication skills. Significant zoning-related court cases
are reviewed, and students learn how to perform such tasks
as enforcing conditions of approval and conducting survey
inspections. Homework assignments,case studies, and other
classroom exercises are used extensively. Those seeking the
Zoning Official certificate must take and pass a final exam
covering the material presented in the Understanding Plans
and Zoning Administration and Enforcement II courses. The
is given at the conclusion of the Zoning II course.
Prerequisite: Intro to Zoning
Admin. & Enf. and Understanding Plans
Registration
Complete the attached form and send it with a check or voucher
to the Center for Government Services. The registration form
with payment must be received prior to the start date in order
for your name to be placed on the roster. Registrations will
not be processed without proof of payment. If you fail to
preregister by mail, you MUST call 732-932-3640, ex. 643 to
determine if enrollment is possible via fax. Upon our receipt
of your completed application and check or voucher, a class
space will be reserved for you, but NO confirmation will be
sent. The University reserves the right to cancel any course
if enrollment is insufficient.
Withdrawal
Withdrawals are not accepted over the telephone. For one-day
seminars, the full program fee will be refunded to any student
who notifies the Center in writing of his/her intent to withdraw
AT LEAST 48 hours before the seminar is scheduled to start.
For longer courses, tuition will be returned to any student
who provides a written notice of withdrawal prior to the first
class. Written notices may be sent via fax machine to 732-932-3586
or mailed to:
Zoning Administration and Enforcement
Center for Government Services
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Civic Square
33 Livingston Avenue, Suite 200
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Information
Questions may be directed to:
The Center for Government Services
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
33 Livingston Avenue, Suite
200, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.
To inquire by telephone, call 732-932-3640, ex. 625 or 643.
Rutgers Certificate for Zoning
Officials
In cooperation with the New Jersey Association of Planning
and Zoning Administrators, the Center now offers a certificate
in this field. Those who successfully complete all three
courses, including two examinations, are eligible, upon
application to the Center, for a Zoning Official certificate.
To receive an application, contact:
Center for Government Services
Atten: Daphne Johnson-Jones, Program Assistant
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey,
33 Livingston Avenue, Suite 200
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
