New Jersey launches public permit tracking dashboard as state reports major reductions in backlogs
NEW JERSEY — New Jersey residents can now track the progress of certain state permit applications online as Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration reports significant reductions in permitting backlogs at the departments of Environmental Protection and Transportation.
Sherrill announced the launch of the public version of the New Jersey Permitting Dashboard Pilot, available at Permits.NJ.gov, which allows residents to follow projects through various stages of the state approval process.
The administration also released updated figures showing a 74% reduction in the backlog of Freshwater Wetlands Letters of Interpretation at the Department of Environmental Protection and an 83% reduction in pending Minor Access Permits at the Department of Transportation since Jan. 20.
“When I took office, I promised to save New Jerseyans time and money,” said Governor Sherrill. “Slow permits mean higher costs for everyone, from families waiting on new homes to businesses ready to hire. In less than a year, we’ve cleared backlogs, changed how agencies work, and moved critical projects forward. And because accountability matters, we’re opening the books so every resident can see the progress for themselves via the New Jersey Permitting Dashboard Pilot. Faster reviews help build a more affordable New Jersey, and we’re just getting started.”
State reports reductions in permit backlogs
According to the administration, the number of Freshwater Wetlands Letter of Interpretation applications pending for six months or longer dropped from 927 to 240, representing a 74% reduction.
These letters determine whether wetlands are present on a property and establish their boundaries, information developers need before beginning engineering and design work.
At the Department of Transportation, the backlog of Minor Access Permit applications declined from 653 to 108, an 83% reduction. The department reported resolving 523 stalled permits as part of its efforts to address delays.
Minor Access Permits allow smaller housing developments and businesses to construct or modify driveways and entrances connecting to state highways.
The administration also reported progress on two additional categories of permits in recent months. DEP reduced its Remedial Action Permit backlog by 25%, from 656 pending applications to 493. These permits are required for certain redevelopment projects involving previously contaminated properties, commonly known as brownfields.
Meanwhile, DOT reduced its Major Access Permit backlog by 19%, from 262 pending applications to 211. These permits are required for larger developments seeking to construct or modify access points along state highways.
“Governor Sherrill has challenged us to make government more efficient and responsive, and improving permitting is one way NJDOT is delivering on that commitment,” NJDOT Commissioner Priya Jain said. “We were able to resolve over 500 stalled Minor Access and Highway Occupancy permits by looking at e-permitting data to identify delays and direct additional staff and resources where they were needed most. We built on that progress with the creation of a new Division of Transportation Permitting within the Department. The goal is to provide businesses, developers, and municipalities with more timely, transparent, and predictable decisions while maintaining essential safety standards.”
Agencies reorganize to address permitting delays
The administration said state agencies have reorganized permitting operations, established specialized review teams and expanded staffing to address application backlogs and improve coordination.
DEP launched Operation FAST, an initiative designed to streamline permitting for clean energy projects. The program currently includes more than 25 solar and battery storage projects.
The department also established specialized teams focused on Remedial Action Permits and Watershed and Land Management permits, which can involve complex environmental reviews.
“Through Operation FAST, DEP is reducing bureaucratic delays without weakening our strong environmental standards. We are streamlining our processes, hiring new staff to speed up reviews, and modernizing our tech to better serve the public and our stakeholders,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak. “This initiative proves that we can make our state more affordable and protect New Jersey’s natural resources at the same time. This is what it looks like to deliver for New Jerseyans.”
DOT has consolidated its permitting operations under a newly created Division of Transportation Permitting and fully digitized its Major Access Permit process.
The administration said DEP has hired and onboarded 49 additional employees through funding included in the fiscal year 2027 state budget to increase its capacity to review applications.
DEP and DOT have also completed process reviews for key permits, including Freshwater Wetlands General Permits and Major Access Permits, to identify administrative obstacles and potential improvements.
In addition, a new Energy Cross-Agency Working Group brings together representatives from the Board of Public Utilities, DEP, the Department of Community Affairs and the Department of Agriculture to coordinate reviews of energy-related projects.
New dashboard allows public to track projects
The public version of the Permitting Dashboard Pilot expands on an initiative launched in June and currently includes 10 projects undergoing review by DEP, DOT and the Department of Community Affairs.
For each project, users can view the permits submitted, the state agency responsible for reviewing them and the application’s progress through various stages, including submission, completeness review, technical review and final decision.
The dashboard also displays dates associated with completed review milestones, providing a way for residents and developers to monitor the progress of participating projects.
The administration said DEP and the New Jersey Innovation Authority are working to automate the dashboard to reduce manual data entry and expand the number of projects available for public tracking in the coming months.
“Housing and other building projects depend on construction permitting moving efficiently. A developer can have the funding, the site, and the community support, but if permitting creates months of unpredictable delays, projects stall. Governor Sherrill has made it clear that our job at DCA is to remove those obstacles while maintaining the safety standards that protect residents,” said Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “In partnership with the New Jersey Innovation Authority, we are building a unified construction permitting system – a single online platform covering the full permit lifecycle from application to certificate of occupancy – to accelerate processing on routine permits and make the system more consistent across the board.”
“The Permitting Dashboard brings transparency and coordination to a complex process: developers and the public can see what’s done and what’s left to keep critical projects on track,” said New Jersey State Chief Innovation Officer Dave Cole. “Under Governor Sherrill’s leadership, we’ll keep improving the permitting process while helping New Jerseyans know how investments in their communities are moving forward.”
The Commercial Real Estate Development Association’s New Jersey chapter also welcomed the administration’s permitting changes, citing the potential benefits for commercial development and investment.
“CREDA NJ applauds Governor Sherrill’s focus on making New Jersey’s approval process more timely, transparent and predictable,” said Dan Kennedy, CEO of the Commercial Real Estate Development Association – New Jersey Chapter (CREDA NJ). “NJDEP’s significant reduction in its freshwater wetlands determination backlog and the launch of a cross-agency permitting dashboard are examples of real-world improvements already making a noticeable impact to the CRE industry. NJDOT’s recent reorganization and focus on its highway access permits is expected to deliver similar results. By reducing unnecessary delays and uncertainty, these reforms can help move job-creating investments forward by lowering the cost and time required to expand economic opportunity across New Jersey.”
Additional improvements planned
The administration said further efforts are underway to reduce DEP’s Water Quality Management Program backlog and DOT’s remaining Major Access Permit backlog.
The Department of Community Affairs is also reviewing the municipal Uniform Construction Code permitting process to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce delays.
State agencies are developing specific timelines for permit reviews under Executive Order 5. Those timelines, sometimes referred to as “shot clocks,” are expected to be incorporated into the public dashboard as the system expands.
The administration has not announced a specific date for when additional projects or review timelines will become available.
Residents, businesses and developers can access the New Jersey Permitting Dashboard Pilot at Permits.NJ.gov.
