N.J. Admin. Code § 7:50-6.124

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 11, June 3, 2024

Section 7:50-6.124 - Fire hazard mitigation standards

(a) No application for development approval shall be granted in moderate, high and extreme fire hazard areas unless the applicant demonstrates that:

1. All proposed developments, or units or sections thereof, of 25 dwelling units or more will have two accessways of a width and surface composition sufficient to accommodate and support fire fighting equipment;

2. All dead-end roads will terminate in a manner which provides safe and effective entry and exit for fire fighting equipment;

3. The rights-of-way of all roads will be maintained so that they provide an effective fire break;

4. Except as provided in (a)5 below, a fire hazard fuel break is provided around structures proposed for human use by the selective removal or thinning of trees, bushes, shrubs and ground cover as follows:

i. In moderate fire hazard areas a fuel break of 30 feet measured outward from the structure in which:

(1) Shrubs, understory trees and bushes and ground cover are to be selectively removed, mowed or pruned on an annual basis; and

(2) All dead plant material is removed.

ii. In high fire hazard areas a fuel break of 75 feet measured outward from the structure in which:

(1) Shrubs, understory trees and bushes and ground cover are to be selectively removed, mowed or pruned and maintained on an annual basis;

(2) All dead plant material is removed.

iii. In extreme high hazard areas a fuel break of 100 feet measured outward from the structure in which:

(1) Shrubs, understory trees and bushes and ground cover are to be selectively removed, mowed or pruned and maintained on an annual basis;

(2) No pine tree (Pinus spp.) is closer than 25 feet to another pine tree; and

(3) All dead plant material is removed.

5. All residential development of 100 dwelling units or more in high or extreme high hazard areas will have a 200-foot perimeter fuel break between all structures and the forest in which:

i. Shrubs, understory trees and bushes and ground cover are selectively removed, mowed or pruned and maintained on an annual basis;

ii. All dead plant material is removed;

iii. Roads, rights-of-way, wetlands and waste disposal sites shall be used as fire breaks to the maximum extent practical; and

iv. There is a specific program for maintenance.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:50-6.124