New Jersey is poised to adopt new climate-driven construction regulations requiring homes in flood-prone areas to be built 5 feet above current flood levels. This change, based on advanced climate modeling, aims to protect coastal and riverine communities from rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
While environmental advocates have praised the proposal as necessary and proactive, developers and business leaders argue the rule imposes excessive costs and is based on uncertain projections. Governor Phil Murphy must decide on the policy by August 2025, following a review of public feedback.
The proposal addresses the inadequacy of New Jersey’s current flood risk assessments, which rely on outdated historical data from 1899 to 1999. According to Jennifer Coffey of the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, such historical analysis fails to account for today’s rapidly changing climate.
The state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) based its new standards on Rutgers University’s research, which revealed that sea levels along New Jersey’s coast have risen faster than the global average due to a combination of melting ice caps and land subsidence.
New Jersey Considers Raising Floodplain Homes Five Feet Amid Debate Over Costs and Climate ProjectionsThe proposed regulations have drawn criticism from builders and business organizations, who argue that a 5-foot elevation requirement is overly stringent and costly. They contend that a 2-foot increase would be more reasonable and provide flexibility to adapt if necessary over the coming decades. Critics, including Anthony Zarilli, a Jersey Shore builder, warn that the changes could make construction prohibitively expensive, potentially discouraging development in vulnerable areas.
Environmentalists argue that scaling back the regulations would be a mistake, given the clear evidence of escalating flood risks. Ed Potosnak of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters emphasized that the state’s high population density amplifies the potential human and economic toll of inadequate protections. Personal stories like that of Dan Bachalis, whose elevated home has withstood recent flooding, highlight the long-term benefits of building higher and investing in resilience now.
New Jersey’s history of severe storms, including Superstorm Sandy, underscores the need for forward-looking policies to safeguard communities. Sea levels along the state’s coast have risen significantly, with future increases projected to be even more severe. The DEP’s proposed regulations reflect an effort to balance the risks of climate change with the costs of adaptation. Governor Murphy’s decision will determine whether the state prioritizes long-term safety or seeks a more incremental approach to managing flood risks.