Pre-application meetings provide a site owner with guidance on the access application process, familiarize NJDOT with the proposed development, and identify issues. A pre-application meeting is mandatory when applying for a major with planning review permit, a permit for a new street, and when a new traffic signal is proposed. A pre-application meeting is not required when applying for a major permit, but may be held if requested. Meetings are typically not necessary when applying for a minor permit.

The applicant must provide NJDOT with the items from the pre-application checklist and the name and contact information of the professional who will be preparing the access application 7 days before the scheduled pre-application meeting. Site owners may request a traffic impact study of the proposed study area to be completed by the Department before a pre-application meeting or after a pre-application meeting, but prior to submitting an access application. The request for the review will cost $1,000, which will be credited toward the application fee.

Applications must be submitted within 12 months of the pre-application meeting. If not, another pre-application meeting must be held before submitting an application.

All pre-application meetings require the following:

• Meeting Request – must be emailed to dot-bmap.permits@dot.nj.gov
  
   
• Information Submission – submission of the information specified in the pre-application checklist must also be emailed to dot-bmap.permits@dot.nj.gov

NJDOT may issue an access permit that does not meet one or more of the application requirements if compliance is not reasonably attainable at the time that of application submission or if denial of the application would leave the site without reasonable access to the general system of streets and State highways.

NJDOT will not grant waivers for fees or the spacing distance requirement (N.J.A.C. 16:47-5.1 (f)). To obtain a waiver, a site owner must submit a request on Waiver Form MT-159. If a waiver is granted, it applies to specific conditions a permit and does not guarantee application approval.

Possible bases for waiver requests include:

• Existing substandard conditions.
• Existing social, ecominic, or environmental constraints.
• Unreasonableness of strict application process.
• Location within an urban enterprise zone.
• Conflict between the application requirements and the requirements of:
  • The New Jersey Pinelands Commission or the Pinelands Protection Act (N.J.S.A. 13:18A-1 et seq.)
  • The Coastal Area Facility Review Act (N.J.S.A. 13:19-1 et seq.)
  • The Freshwater Wetlands Act (N.J.S.A 13:9B-1 et seq.)
  • The Stream Encroachment Act (N.J.S.A 58:16A-50 et seq.)
  • The Federal Flood Hazard Zone regulations
  • The Delaware River Basin Commission
  • The Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission
  • The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission
  • The New Jersey Highlands Council
• Imposition of conditions by a municipal, county, or other approving agency beyond the control of the lot or site owner, and acceptable to NJDOT.
• Low or moderate-income housing, proposed pursuant to the Fair Housing Act (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-301 et seq.) or under court settlement.