City Waives Bulkhead Permit Fees

Brigantine - At the September 4th council meeting, city officials approved a new ordinance enabling the City to waive local construction permit fees in response to extreme weather events, erosion, and other emergencies.

This ordinance aims to assist homeowners living along the Cove Beach, an area severely impacted by erosion, by facilitating the construction of bulkheads or other New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved structures to better protect their properties.

The process for implementing this ordinance involves three key steps:

1. The ordinance was introduced at the August 21st council meeting.
2. A public hearing and formal adoption took place at the September 4th meeting.
3. After a mandatory 20-day waiting period, council will pass a resolution to officially waive local permit fees for bulkhead construction in the erosion-affected area.

Importantly, the resolution will be made retroactive, allowing homeowners who have already begun construction to be reimbursed for their permit fees. This ensures that the City’s procedural requirements don’t delay necessary protective measures.

Additionally, the City is reviewing the potential impact of other permit fees, such as those for decks or other structures, which may be affected if homeowners choose to construct bulkheads. Any relevant fees will also be included in the resolution.

The City has been collaborating with the NJDEP to implement a short-term solution to protect homes in the erosion area. The DEP has recommended that homeowners build bulkheads or other approved structures, and is fast-tracking the permitting process. The City has shared this information with homeowners to help expedite their efforts.

Long-term solutions are also being pursued in partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers and the DEP. The first step is for the Army Corps to complete a federal interest determination study, which is expected to take approximately three years.

This ordinance is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to protecting its residents and addressing the challenges posed by coastal erosion.