Toward the end of its session last year, the New Jersey
Legislature passed legislation critically important for the
state's real estate industry. The New Jersey Permit Extension
Act (PEA) was given an extended life as A3815/S2551 was passed and
then signed into law by Governor Chris Christie. Earlier, the New
Jersey Economic Opportunity Act of 2013 was amended providing for a
number of changes, both substantive and technical.
As initially crafted, the PEA was designed to deal with a
variety of land use approvals and permits that had been approved or
were expiring after January 1, 2007. Prior to the passage of the
bill, the PEA's provisions were due to lapse at the end of last
year. The bill moved the bar and now the approvals and permits
covered by the initial legislation have been given new life through
December 31, 2015; however, no local approval will be extended
beyond June 30, 2016. (However, extended for a full year will be
permits granted by state, regional,
