NJDEP REAL Rules - Notice to Residents

***Notice to Residents ***

The Borough would like to inform the residents that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Agency (NJDEP) has adopted the new Resilient Environments and Landscape (REAL) rules on January 20^th, 2026.  Please note that there is a legacy provision of 180 days for projects already in development. Applications deemed “Technically Complete” prior to this date can be reviewed under the previous (pre-January 20, 2026) regulatory standards.

The NJDEP has revised the Special Flood Hazard area to identify a new flood zone referred to as an Inundation Risk Zone (IRZ). IRZ Flood Zone is identified on the NJDEP website at https://dep.nj.gov/njreal/homepage/mapping-tool. NJDEP has identified this new area and has adopted new rules in order to reduce the potential risk of flooding to structures in these areas. NJDEP has mandated a new Climate Adjusted Flood Elevation (CAFÉ) which is 4 feet above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). In addition the local municipal freeboard will need to be applied to the CAFÉ to determine the Design Flood Elevation (DFE) for structures in these areas. Seaside Park is subject to these new rules.

NJDEP is also requiring all new construction to require NJDEP Permits. The Permit by rule will no longer be applicable. Please review the new REAL rule with your engineer, architect and/or contractor to make sure that your plans will be in compliance with the new regulation change.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Borough Flood Mitigation Officer, Jamison Zimmerman at 73257573232 or Jamison.zimmerman@rve.com.