Green Acres provides forms, regulations, and guidance to help protect and preserve open space throughout New Jersey. The listed documents are available for download or online viewing. You can download a file by selecting the linked file format and following the download instructions specific to your browser. Some tips for downloading files are given in the Site Remediation Program’s Website Help page.
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Description
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Format
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Updated
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| NEW JERSEY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE (NJAC) 7:36 REGULATING THE GREEN ACRES PROGRAM | PDF  |
12/2019 |
State Land Acquisition Applications
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Description
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Format
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Updated
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| APPLICATION FOR SALE OF REAL ESTATE TO NJDEP GREEN ACRES PROGRAM | PDF MS Word  |
6/2024 | |
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| APPLICATION TO DONATE REAL ESTATE TO NJDEP GREEN ACRES PROGRAM | PDF  MS Word  |
7/2010 | |
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| BLUE ACRES – APPLICATION FOR SALE OF LAND TO THE STATE BY LANDOWNERS |
Please see the Blue Acres website |
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Local Government and Nonprofit Assistance - New Applications
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Description
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Format
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Updated
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| 2025 ACQUISITION APPLICATION – LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND NONPROFITS | PDF MS Word |
10/2024 | |
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| 2025 PARK DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION – LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND NONPROFITS | PDF MS Word |
10/2024 | |
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| 2025 STEWARDSHIP APPLICATION – LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND NONPROFITS | PDF MS Word |
10/2024 | |
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| 2025 JAKE’S LAW PLAYGROUND FUNDING APPLICATION – LOCAL GOVERNMENTS | PDF MS Word |
10/2024 | |
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| 2024 URBAN PARKS APPLICATION – LOCAL GOVERNMENTS | PDF MS Word |
10/2024 | |
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| NONPROFIT ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION | PDF |
5/2025 | |
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| RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE INVENTORY (ROSI) Part of the application for Green Acres funding, the local unit is required to complete and certify to a Recreation and Open Space Inventory (ROSI). The primary purpose of the ROSI is to document all restricted lands and provide notice of the restrictions to title searchers. |
Please see the OTPLA website |
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Local Government and Nonprofit Assistance - Supplemental Funding Requests
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Description
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Format
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Updated
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| 2025 SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING REQUEST FORM – FOR ACTIVE ACQUISITION PROJECTS | MS Word |
10/2024 | |
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| 2025 SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING REQUEST FORM – FOR ACTIVE PARK DEVELOPMENT AND STEWARDSHIP PROJECTS | MS Word |
10/2024 | |
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| ENABLING RESOLUTION FOR SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING REQUEST | PDF MS Word |
01/2023 | |
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| NONPROFIT ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION FOR SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING | PDF |
10/2023 | |
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Local Government and Nonprofit Assistance - Planning Incentive Applications and OSRPs
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Description
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Format
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Updated
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| 2025 PLANNING INCENTIVE ACQUISITION APPLICATION PACKAGE | PDF |
11/2024 | |
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| LOCAL GOVERNMENT OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLANS: OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN APPLICATION GUIDELINES (OSRP) OSRP items needed to participate in the Local Government Planning Incentive (PI) funding category are outlined. |
PDF |
2/2025 | |
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| PLANNING INCENTIVE AND SITE SPECIFIC INCENTIVE GRANT ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION | PDF |
10/2024 | |
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Preliminary Assessments
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Description
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Format
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Updated
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| PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENTS FAQ | Please see our Preliminary Assessments page | ||
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| PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENTS: CHECKLIST | PDF MS Word |
10/2022 | |
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| PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES GUIDE | PDF |
2/2017 | |
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Appraisals
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Description
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Format
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Updated
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| GREEN ACRES APPRAISAL SERVICE SCOPE OF WORK
APPRAISERS, GREEN ACRES APPROVED LIST ACQUISITION PROPERTY APPRAISAL PROCEDURES APPRAISAL QUESTIONNAIRE / PRE–APPRAISAL FACT SHEET GREEN ACRES PROGRAM APPRAISAL REPORT REVIEW CHECKLIST BLUE ACRES APPRAISAL REQUIREMENTS BLUE ACRES BUYOUT PROGRAM, HOMEOWNER OUTREACH APPRAISAL MEETING FORM |
For these documents, see the Appraisals and Appraisers section of this website | ||
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| PROPOSED COOPERATIVE ACQUISITION INFORMATION FORM | PDF |
7/2024 | |
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| PROPOSED EASEMENT ACQUISITION INFORMATION FORM | PDF |
7/2024 | |
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| ACQUISITION PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT CHECKLIST | PDF MS Word |
8/2024 | |
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Surveys
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Description
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Format
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Updated
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| SURVEY GUIDELINES ABOUT DELIVERABLES: Information about required deliverables, and copy of Local and Nonprofit Land Survey Overview |
PDF |
08/2023 | |
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| SURVEY SCOPE OF WORK and SURVEYOR INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS |
For scope of work, forms, and checklists, see the Green Acres Survey Section pages of this website |
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Title and Deeds
Park Development
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Description
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Format
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Updated
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| DEVELOPMENT PROCEDURE CHECKLIST FOR APPLICANTS | PDF MS Word |
6/2023 | |
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| PARK DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT CHECKLIST | PDF MS Word |
8/2024 | |
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| PRE–CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CERTIFICATION FORM | PDF MS Word |
6/2023 | |
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| COMPLETELY INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND PRE–CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CERTIFICATION FORM | PDF |
12/2024 | |
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| DEVELOPMENT COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST | PDF MS Word |
8/2024 | |
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| LOCAL PUBLIC CONTRACTS LAW MEMORANDUM | PDF MS Word |
3/2022 | |
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| POST–CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CERTIFICATION FORM | PDF MS Word |
3/2022 | |
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| COMPLETELY INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND POST–CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CERTIFICATION FORM | PDF |
12/2024 | |
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| TREE REMOVAL EVALUATION FORM | PDF |
8/2024 | |
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CONSTRUCTION SIGN DETAILS |
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PDF |
7/2021 | |
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PDF |
7/2021 | |
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PDF |
08/2023 | |
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The following guidance documents explain policies relating to Green Acres funded local/nonprofit projects. These are based on frequently asked questions on specific issues. They are meant to supplement the procedural information provided by Green Acres staff throughout the course of an acquisition project. Feel free to contact Green Acres with any questions or suggestions for additional policy guidance documents.
Acquisitions
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Description
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Format
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Updated
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| ACQUISITION OF PROPERTIES WITH STRUCTURES Policies for the acquisition of properties with structures, including inspection for Historic Structures and demolition |
PDF |
6/2025 | |
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| AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND GREEN ACRES Coordination regarding preservation needs and affordable housing obligations |
PDF |
9/2020 | |
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| ALLOCATION OF VALUE FOR PARTNERSHIPS Procedure for allocating the value of a property that is being acquired with a divided interest |
PDF |
7/2008 | |
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| CHANGES IN ACREAGE | PDF |
5/2024 | |
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| COOPERATIVE ACQUISITION PROJECT GUIDELINES Guide to multi-party acquisitions |
PDF |
7/2024 | |
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| EASEMENT ACQUISITION PROCEDURAL STANDARDS Policy for situations where an easement is being purchased without full public access |
PDF |
5/2024 | |
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| ENCROACHMENTS Policy for resolving encroachments on project sites |
PDF |
2/2007 | |
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| FEMA AND GREEN ACRES Procedure for projects funded by FEMA |
PDF |
7/2017 | |
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| HIGHLANDS HYPOTHETICAL LAND VALUE POLICY Green Acres policy on the Hypothetical Land Value and Green Acres eligible land costs |
PDF |
5/2025 | |
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| HISTORIC PESTICIDES Also see frequently asked questions on our Preliminary Assessments page. |
PDF |
7/2017 | |
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| LAND ACQUISITION PROJECT POLICY AND PROCEDURE | PDF |
7/2024 | |
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| MATCHING SHARE, DONATIONS, AND CREDITS Guide to funding, including allowable sources of matching funds, and donation credit policy |
PDF |
1/2007 | |
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| OPERATING OUTSIDE THE STANDARD GREEN ACRES ACQUISITION PROCESS | PDF |
5/2025 | |
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Checklists and Forms
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Description
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Format
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Updated
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| INITIAL APPLICATION CHECKLIST | PDF MS Word |
3/2022 | |
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| INITIAL STATEMENT (Submit with Form GAR–031) | PDF |
N/A | |
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| INITIAL APPLICATION (Form GAR–031) | PDF MS Word |
3/2022 | |
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| RECERTIFICATION APPLICATION CHECKLIST | PDF MS Word |
3/2022 | |
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| FURTHER STATEMENT (If physical, use, and/or ownership changes, also submit forms GAR–032 and GAR–033) | PDF |
1/2014 | |
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| RECERTIFICATION APPLICATION (Form GAR–032) | PDF MS Word |
3/2022 | |
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| PROPERTY USE ANALYSIS (Form GAR–033 – Submit with Form GAR–032) | PDF MS Word |
2/2012 | |
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Rules and Statutes
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Description
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Format
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Updated
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| HIGHLIGHTS OF REVISED TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM RULES | PDF MS Word |
2/4/2008 | |
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| STATE STATUTE (N.J.S.A. 54:4–3.63 et seq., P.L. 1974, Chapter 167) |
PDF MS Word |
2/2006 | |
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| PROGRAM RULES (N.J.A.C. 7:35, Real Property Taxation of Recreation and Conservation Lands Owned By Nonprofit Organizations) |
PDF |
1/31/2008 | |
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Please submit your Tax Exemption application by mail or by uploading here
Upload application forms here
If possible, please submit your application or supplemental funding request as one PDF with bookmarks for navigation to each required application item. Please contact us with any questions.
If you have followed all the instructions on the portal submission page (link above) and your submissions still won’t go through, please break up your application into sections no larger than 20MB and send each section in an email to: GreenAcresApplications@dep.nj.gov. We apologize for any inconvenience.