Bergen County Department of Planning & Engineering

Planning Division

The Planning Division is comprised of the Office of Development Review, Office of Regional Planning & Transportation, and the Office of Data Resources & Technology. The Division also includes the County Planning Board and coordination of the Construction Board of Appeals.

The Office of Development Review performs site plan and subdivision reviews of all development applications submitted for County Planning Board approval and in so doing, provides continuous oversight of site plan and subdivision regulations.

The Office of Regional Planning & Transportation manages planning studies for larger corridor and regional projects. This Office also acts as the County’s liaison to other transportation agencies and government jurisdictions to advocate for Bergen County’s interests.

The Office of Data Resources & Technology manages information resources and technology including Geographic Information Systems and U.S. Census Data to support the Department of Planning & Engineering as well as make such information available to the public and other County departments.

The County Planning Board performs statutory duties as required by law. The Planning Board is comprised of nine members including the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Bergen County Board of Commissioners, one Commissioner, the County Engineer or Assistant County Engineer, and six citizen members appointed by the County Executive with the advice and consent of the Bergen County Board of Commissioners.

The Construction Board of Appeals acts on appeals filed by individuals aggrieved by decisions of local enforcing agencies of the State Uniform Construction Code or the Uniform Fire Code. The Construction Board of Appeals is comprised of five regular members that must include: a plumbing subcode official; an electrical subcode official; a registered architect or professional engineer with building construction experience, or a building subcode official; a fire protection subcode official; and a certified fire official. The Board also includes two special members including one licensed professional engineer with municipal site improvement construction experience and one builder.

Engineering Division

The Engineering Division strives for quality of life improvements through various transportation infrastructure projects that include bridges, culverts, drainage systems, roadways, and signalized intersections under County jurisdiction. The Division administers these infrastructure improvement projects from concept through construction. The Division continues to modernize infrastructure to improve safety and the movement of traffic along County roadways while remaining compliant with new regulations and design requirements.

The County’s bridges and culverts are a high priority and one of the major responsibilities of the Engineering Division. The structures are inspected on a regular basis by the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s engineering consultants. The Division continues to repair, replace, or rehabilitate these structures as needed to ensure they are safe and well maintained to accommodate the needs of the public.

The County’s traffic signals are also a high priority and major responsibility of the Engineering Division. The Division continuously works to modernize traffic signals in order to provide for the most efficient flow of vehicular traffic as well as maximizing pedestrian safety. Traffic signal modernization includes the replacement of outdated signal equipment; installation of vehicle detection cameras to replace loop detectors; countdown pedestrian heads; traffic signal battery backups; traffic signal generator connections; American with Disabilities Act improvements; and intelligent/adaptive traffic signal systems.

The Engineering Division’s many other responsibilities include the County road drainage systems, the Overpeck Creek Tide Gates, roadway improvements, Sign Management System, guide rail, inspection of site plan and subdivision improvements along County roads, participation in the Planning Division’s Development Review Team and regional planning and transportation projects.

Quick Links:

FAQ

For Development Application Review
- How do I submit an application for a site plan, subdivision, cell tower, or residential driveway permit?
  All applications must be submitted through the GeoCivix Portal at https://bergen.geocivix.com/secure/.
- Who can I contact regarding questions about my application?
  The correct person to contact is the Area Planner. Please see the list of towns assigned to each Planner on our website.
- How often does the Planning Board meet?
  The Bergen County Planning Board meets on the second Tuesday of the month unless otherwise noted on our website.
- What time are the meetings held and where are they held?
  The meeting starts at 5PM and is held in the Bergen County Calabrese Caucus Room, 5^th Floor, One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ.
- Are there fees that will be required when submitting an application?
  Yes, there is an Initial Filing Fee. Our Fee Schedule can be found on our website.
- What is the Development Review Team (DRT)?
  The Development Review Team or DRT is a team of County Professionals that meets regularly to review submitted site plans and subdivisions in accordance with the standards and criteria established by ordinance and resolution. This team may be comprised of representatives from the Department of Planning and Engineering, the Attorney to the County Planning Board and other County Professionals.
- How long does it take the DRT to review a plan?
  Under the County Planning Act, the DRT has 30 days to review the initial submission and all subsequent submissions.
- How long will it take after submission for me to start my project?
  Construction can start after the applicant receives Final Approval and all required Documents, Municipal or other, have been obtained.
- How soon do you need the plans before the next available Planning Board Meeting?
  All required revisions to your plans need to be satisfied and submitted a minimum two weeks before the next monthly Planning Board Meeting.
- Who will receive a copy of the DRT review letter?
  The Applicant, the Design Professional, the Attorney, and the appropriate Municipal Contacts will receive a copy of the review letter.
- What is the difference between Conditional Approval and Final Approval?
  Conditional Approval is the action of the Planning Board setting all requirements and conditions necessary to secure Final Approval. Final Approval is when all requirements have been met.
- What does the County Planning Board Approve?
  County Planning Board’s Authority to exercise jurisdiction over site plans and subdivisions flow from the powers set forth in the County Planning Act. N.J.S.A. 40:27-1 et seq. See our Site Plan Ordinance and the Subdivision Resolution for further explanation.
- How long is my Approval valid for?
  Your Approval is valid as long as your Municipal approval is valid and that your posted Performance Guarantee with the County has not expired.

For Inspector and Planning Board
- When should I call for an Inspection?
  It is advisable for each project to have a pre-construction inspection to make sure that the contractor has a copy of the final plan and the joint report so that they are aware of all the County requirements for your job.
- Does the County provide the Certificate of Occupancy (CO)?
  NO the County does not provide a CO, this come from the Municipality where your project is located.
- Should I call the Inspectors while my project is under construction?
  YES, you should have the inspectors come periodically during construction especially for pavement, curb work and drainage items that are part of your project. Periodic inspections also help with any unforeseen issues that may come up at the site.
- Where can I find the specifications for the Concrete Monuments/Markers and Details?
  The specifications for the Monuments/Markers and Details are in the Conditional Approval Letter to the applicant as well as on the final plans signed by the County Planning Department. You can also find these specifications on our website.
- Where can I find the ADA design and construction certification forms?
  The ADA forms are on our website or visit Americans With Disabilities Act Enforcement.
- When do I need a Road Opening Permit and how do I get one?
  You will need a Road Opening Permit when an excavation is done between the curb face to curb face of a County Road. Road Opening Permits are issued through the Operations Division of the County. You can reach them at 201-336-7678. Any Road Opening Permit will then be inspected by the Operations Division – please make sure to contact them for your inspection of the road.
- When can I start construction for my project?
  Construction can start after your project has received Final Approval, you have the signed Final Plan from the County and you have a Notice to Proceed from the County Inspectors.
- What Product is specified for striping?
  All striping in the County Right of Way needs to be 90 mil. Thermoplastic.
- How do I get my Performance Guarantee released?
  Once you have had a final inspection and all requirements set forth in the joint report have been met, the Performance Guarantee release process can start.
- Where should I send the Developer’s Agreement, Performance Guarantee and Deed of Easement once signed by the Applicant?
  The Performance Guarantee, partially executed Developer’s Agreement and partially executed Deed of Easement should be mailed to the Secretary of the Planning Board – Dept. of Planning and Engineering, One Bergen County Plaza, 4^th Floor, Hackensack NJ 07601.

Planning Division

Engineering Division

Quick Links:

Contact Us

Joseph A. Femia, P.E.

Joseph Baladi, P.E., P.P., C.M.E.

Nancy Dargis, P.E.

Bergen County Department of Planning & Engineering

Departments & Services

Helpful Numbers