Planning and Zoning

Contact

For questions about registration, please contact:

Yanira Ramirez
 Secretarial Assistant III
848-932-4746
Email
Planning and Zoning Administration
  • This program is for professionals seeking their Planning/Zoning Board Secretary certificate. Effective Fall 2025 and beyond, the two required courses are:
    • Foundations of Planning & Zoning Administration (PZ-3311)
    • Understanding Plans: Site Plan & Subdivision Review for Administrative Officers & Board Secretaries (PZ-3303)
  • Upon successful completion of these two courses, students must apply to Rutgers CGS for their Planning/Zoning Board Secretary certificate.
Zoning Administration and Enforcement
  • This program is for professionals seeking their Zoning Official certificate. The three required courses are:
    • Introduction to Zoning Administration & Enforcement (PZ-3304)
    • Understanding Plans: Site Plan & Subdivision Review for Zoning Officials (PZ-3305)
    • Zoning Administration & Enforcement 2 (PZ-3306)
  • Upon successful completion of these three courses, students must apply to Rutgers CGS for their Zoning Official certificate.
Course Prerequisites

Planning & Zoning Administration Program

  • Foundations of Planning & Zoning Administration (PZ-3311) is the prerequisite for Understanding Plans for Administrative Officers & Board Secretaries (PZ-3303).

Zoning Administration and Enforcement Program

  • Introduction to Zoning Administration & Enforcement (PZ-3304) is the prerequisite for Understanding Plans for Zoning Officials (PZ-3305) and Zoning Administration & Enforcement II (PZ-3306).
Course Materials

Some course materials are provided to students electronically before the start of class. Students may be required to obtain additional materials before class starts. Please review your course registrations and collect the materials listed for each course you register for.

Withdrawals/Transfers/Refunds

All requests to change registration status, either by withdrawal or transfer, must be submitted in writing at least two business days before the course start date. Withdrawals will incur a $25 processing fee, and the tuition remainder will be refunded. Failure to notify CGS within the time frame will result in forfeiture of all fees.

Students may not request a refund of a credit card payment for the purpose of changing their payment method to a purchase order after registration has been completed. Purchase orders must be submitted and approved at the time of registration and are subject to processing time and seat availability. (7/22/26)

Request a Duplicate Certificate |PZ Certificate Application Form |Continuing Ed Approval Form

Recertification Application 

Course Schedule

All registrations for online/distant learning and in-person courses must be received NO LATER than three business days before the class begins. Late registrations will NOT be accepted.

Please visit the Registration page for important information regarding online course expectations and registration.

Available Courses

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Course Catalog

Credit/CEU/Hours: 23 hours

  • Course Description
  • This course introduces the principles and practices of planning and zoning administration in New Jersey.  Participants will explore the roles and responsibilities of planning and zoning boards, application procedures, notice requirements, and the basics of the Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL).  Key administrative topics such as meeting protocols, escrow management, records retention, and decision-making processes will also be covered.  Designed for board secretaries, administrative officers, and other municipal staff, this course lays the groundwork for effective land use administration.
  • Required Course Materials
  • Calculator - A calculator is required for this course; either an individual calculator or a calculator on your mobile device are acceptable.
  • NJ Municipal Land Use Law - You must obtain a current version of the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law. Choose one of the following options:
Credit/CEU/Hours: 12 hours
Prerequisite: Foundations of Planning and Zoning Administration (PZ-3311)

Course Description

In this course, the administrative officer and board secretary are exposed to some of the technical aspects of plan review. The administrative processing requirements for 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 various types of plans and to review plans for completeness. A written examination is given at the conclusion of the course.

Required Course Materials

Credit/CEU/Hours: 18 hours

Course Description

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.

Required Course Materials

Credit/CEU/Hours: 12 hours
Prerequisite: Introduction to Zoning Administration and Enforcement (PZ-3304)

Course Description

In this seminar, the zoning official is exposed to some of the technical aspects of plan review. The administrative processing requirements for 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 surveys, site plan, and subdivision drawings; to review plans for completeness; and to learn how conditions of approval are enforced. A written examination is given at the conclusion of the course.

Required Course Materials

Credit/CEU/Hours: 15 hours
Prerequisite: Introduction to Zoning Administration and Enforcement (PZ-3304)

Course Description

The third course in the series builds on the first two. Students are taught 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 writing reports and conducting survey inspections. Homework assignments, case studies, and other classroom exercises are used extensively. A written examination is given at the conclusion of the course.

Required Course Materials

Credit/CEU/Hours: 6 Hours

Course Description

In 2005 the New Jersey State Legislature enacted N.J.S.A. 40:55D-23.3 and 23.4, which require that members of municipal planning boards, zoning boards of adjustment, and combined boards successfully complete a basic training course within 18 months of their appointment. The statute and implementing regulations call for five hours of instruction offered by course providers approved by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. For more information about the requirements, go to the Planning/Zoning Education page on the DCA website.

With over sixty years of experience in training New Jersey officials, the Center for Government Services understands the demands placed on board members. Now, CGS — as a member of the Partners for Municipal Land Use Education — is offering a six-hour course for planning and zoning board members. The partners who helped develop the course are:

  • Rutgers Center for Government Services
  • The Municipal Land Use Center at the College of New Jersey
  • New Jersey Future
  • New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association
  • New Jersey Association of Planning and Zoning Administrators

This course satisfies the requirements of the "Basic Course in Land Use Law and Planning" Training Program required pursuant to P.L. 2005, c. 133 and has been approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs.

Required Course Materials

Municipal Land Use Law
Published by: New Jersey Planning Officials (NJPO)
Available for purchase through the NJPO at: https://www.njpo.org/products/publications

Certificates

Upon successful completion of the Planning and Zoning Administration program, a student may apply for a planning board/zoning board secretary certificate, which must be renewed every five (5) years. Upon successful completion of the Zoning Administration and Enforcement program, a student may apply for a zoning official certificate, which also must be renewed every five (5) years. The application form for these certificates is available on our website.  Please allow up to 45 days for processing.

Students with an active Planning/Zoning Board Secretary certificate who are also interested in obtaining their Zoning Official certificate must apply to CGS upon their successful completion of Introduction to Zoning Administration & Enforcement and Zoning Administration & Enforcement 2.  The Understanding Plans course completed in the Board Secretary program will apply to the required coursework to obtain their second certificate.

Students with an active Zoning Official certificate who are also interested in obtaining their Planning/Zoning Board Secretary certificate must apply to CGS upon their successful completion of Foundations of Planning & Zoning Administration.  The Understanding Plans course completed in the Zoning Official program will apply to the required coursework to obtain their second certificate.

Continuing Education Information

In order to maintain and renew a Board Secretary certificate, certificate holders must accrue fifteen (15) hours of continuing education related to land use and/or general administration.  Those who hold the Zoning Official certificate must accrue twenty (20) hours of continuing education, and those who are awarded the Land Use Administrator designation must accrue thirty (30) hours of continuing education every five (5) years in order to renew the certificate.

Certificate holders are responsible for keeping track of their renewal credits and applying for renewal at the appropriate time. If a certificate is not renewed, it expires. Renewal applications are available on this website.  Please allow up to 45 days for processing.

Both the Center for Government Services and the New Jersey Association of Planning and Zoning Administrators offer continuing education seminars that give certificate holders the opportunity to accrue the necessary hours. CE credits toward certificate renewal is automatically awarded to those who attend the "Current Issues in Planning and Zoning" series, co-sponsored by CGS and NJAPZA. Credit is also approved by Rutgers for relevant seminars offered by a variety of organizations including the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, New Jersey Future, the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association, and New Jersey Planning Officials.