New Jersey to require electronic submission of major highway access permit applications beginning July 30

TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Transportation will require all new Major Access Permit applications to be submitted electronically beginning July 30, completing the agency’s transition to a fully digital permitting process.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill said the move supports Executive Order 5, which aims to modernize and streamline the state’s regulatory processes to improve transparency, accountability and efficiency.

“On my first day in office, I signed Executive Order 5 to ensure New Jersey’s permitting process is transparent, accountable, and works for the people it serves,” Governor Mikie Sherill said. “By moving the Major Access Permitting process fully online, the New Jersey Department of Transportation is creating a more efficient and predictable permitting process—saving both the Department and applicants time and money while helping move projects forward more quickly.”

The last day NJDOT will accept paper applications is July 29. Paper applications already under review will continue to be processed, but all new submissions must be filed through the department’s Major Access E-Permitting system beginning July 30.

The online platform now includes two additional submission types: requests for a Letter of No Interest, which determines whether a permit is required for a proposed activity, and requests for pre-application meetings, replacing the previous email-based process.

“Moving the Major Access Permitting process to a completely electronic platform will provide better reporting capabilities for NJDOT staff, making it easier and more efficient to process and track applications,” NJDOT Commissioner Priya Jain said. “Through Gov. Sherill’s leadership and the use of technology, we are modernizing our processes and making NJDOT more responsive to our customers.”

According to NJDOT, the web-based permitting system provides applicants with real-time updates on the status of their submissions while giving the department a fully documented and trackable record of the permitting process.

Major Access Permits are required for property owners and developers seeking to construct, modify or change access to state highways under New Jersey’s Highway Access Management Code.

Questions about the Major Access E-Permitting system may be directed to NJDOT at dot-bmap.permits@dot.nj.gov.