Facts About The Cafra Permit

By Carl Taylor


The abbreviation CAFRA stands for Coastal Area Facility Review Act. CAFRA permit is a policy in the United States that provides authorizes to the government to regulate construction and construction-related activities within a CAFRA area. Such activities include construction, expansion, relocation, and/or demolishing of commercial, residential, public, or industrial structures and infrastructure. Activities related to installation of shore protection structures and site preparation such as excavation and grading are also covered under this act.

The policy also defines the reference of CAFRA area. In the state provided definition, the CAFRA area runs right from Cheesequake Creek confluence, the Raritan Bay situated in the Middlesex County included to Salem County, all the way south. Cumberland, Burlington, Cape May Ocean, Atlantic are some of the counties and areas covered under this area.

The area has an irregularly marked inland limit. In most cases, the inland limit is drawn along public roads and varies in width from a few thousand feet to as high as 24 miles. Twenty-four miles is the highest inland limit of the area from the ocean. There are several zones divided within the area. Each area has its own regulatory threshold.

The difference in regulatory thresholds means that the rules that apply in one zone differ from the rules in others. That is why it is important for one to know their zone and the rules that apply in it. Before one can do any construction work in this area, they need to obtain a permit called a CAFRA license. On the other hand, those located outside the borders of this area to not need the permit.

In general, individuals require a permit if they are set out to undertake any work linked to construction on dunes or beaches falling in the CAFRA zone. Furthermore, it is necessary to be authorized should the structure be installed within a hundred and fifty feet of the average water line of the tidal water body. Such water mass may either be manmade or natural. Authorization is necessary for individuals whose projects are found 150 feet from the limit of the beach or dune towards the land without intervening development.

There are a number of exceptions, however, that are not subject to these requirements. For constructing porches, verandas, patios or porches, permits are not required. On the contrary, should the above mentioned structures entail beach excavation, grading or filling, authorization is necessary. Additionally, fitting the balcony, veranda porch or deck with a pool, enclosure or roof necessitates authorization.

Similarly, permits are not needed if one is installing a fence, flower box, garden, satellite dish, or a landscape wall that is less than one feet high. The exception to this rule is if the installation is done on a wetland, dune, or beach. There are several other exceptions to this policy that one must read and understand so as to know how they apply.

Today, there exist three major permit categories. These permits are the general permits, permit by rule and individual permits. Each permit has an entirely different scope of activity allowed and circumstances of application.




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