FAQ - Existing Homeowners |
Do I need a permit to change the grading on my property? |
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You will need to file a Grading and Clearing Permit Application before disturbing or bringing in any soil. This Application is available from the Engineering Division and has a fee of $50 per acre (the minimum fee is $50). You will have to submit a survey of the property with the affected areas outlined and a topographic map showing existing and proposed contours. If there are no adverse effects to either your property or your neighbor's, and no other reason to deny the application (easements, wetlands, stream encroachment, and or other issues), your request will be approved. If you are removing trees, you may be required to replant some. Further information may be needed if you are proposing to install a retaining wall.  |
Do I need a permit to knock down trees? |
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Yes, a Grading and Clearing Permit is needed in order to knock down trees in Marlboro Township. It costs $25 per application and is available from the Engineering Division . If you want to remove more than nine trees that are over 9" in diameter (measured one foot above ground level), you must first apply to the Planning Board. |
Do I need a permit to construct a retaining wall? |
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Since you will likely be changing the grading of the land by installing a retaining
wall, you will have to file a Grading and Clearing Permit application. This
Application is available from the Engineering Division and has a fee
of $50 per acre (the minimum fee is $50). The retaining wall location
and size will have to be shown on the application documents. Walls
which measure over thirty inches at its highest point require engineering drawings
drawn by a licensed professional engineer or architect, material certification
and a safety barrier. The retaining wall application fee is $50. |
Do I need a permit to extend or re-do my driveway? |
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An application
for a Zoning Permit is required to extend or re-do your driveway.
A sketch of the driveway with dimensions should be included
with the application. The Zoning Department will check for
lot coverage and setbacks. The Engineering Division will
then review grading, sight distances, tree removal, and other
impacts of the driveway addition. Approval of the addition
will shall be given if no adverse impacts with respect to
the above are anticipated. In addition, if the work involves
cutting a new entrance into an existing curb, a separate
road opening permit is required More information is available
in the “cutting into a road” section of the Engineering
Division’s section of this website. |
What permits do I need to cut into a road? |
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A Road Opening Permit from the Township Engineer's office is needed. The application fee is $100 and a $500 partially refundable deposit is also required to cover Township inspection costs. The permit application may be picked up at the Engineering Division Office. Please include with the application a detailed drawing or sketch of the road opening, number of linear feet of road, depth of trench, name and address of the contractor and expected date of work. Depending on the road, a traffic control plan may also be needed as per the Traffic & Safety Bureau's requirements. |
Can I tie my lawn drain, sump pump and roof drain into the Township storm drain system? |
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When considering
this option, you must contact the Engineering Division
directly. You may be asked to provide a detailed sketch or
other documentation
for your proposed construction. As long as it is in the
opinion of the Engineering Division that you will not be
adversely impacting the capacity of the storm drain system,
the street
or your neighbor’s property, your request will likely
be granted. If the work involves cutting into a road or other
area within a Township right-of-way, a road opening permit
will be required. More information is available in the “cutting
into a road” section of the Engineering Division’s
section of this website.
If approval is granted, you will
have to give the Engineering Division at least 24 hours notice
for inspection before beginning work. The actual tie-in to
the storm system must be finished in a workman-like manner,
be watertight and be deemed acceptable by the Engineering
Division in order to prevent future sinkholes from developing.
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I want to install a pool in my backyard. What does the Engineering Division require? |
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When you apply for a Pool Permit, the Zoning Division gives the Engineering Division copies of the survey and/or grading plan and other documents that you include with the Pool Permit Package. While the Engineering Division does not issue the Pool Permit, it does have grading, retaining wall, and tree removal requirements that must be met before your application can be approved. These requirements are specified here. |
I want to install a fence on my property. What does the Engineering Division require? |
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A neighbor is letting water onto my property through a sump pipe. How can the Township assist in this matter? |
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Unless the water affects a Township right-of-way (street, sidewalk, or Township-owned land), this is a private matter between two residences. The aggrieved party has the option of hiring their own counsel or filing a complaint with Municipal Court to resolve the matter. |
A neighbor is letting water onto the street through a sump pipe. How can the Township assist in this matter? |
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As the water affects Township right-of-way, the Engineering Division will inspect the premises, then communicate with the discharging party in writing. The communication will request that the party discharging the water find another means of discharge, including but not limited to tieing in to an underground drainage pipe or into a stream. If the matter persists unresolved, the party discharging the water faces a potential Summons to Municipal Court for adversely impacting the road. |
There is a street light damaged/out near my house. How do I report it? |
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The quickest way to have the
repair done is by contacting GPU directly at 800-662-3115.
You may contact
the Engineering Division , however this information will merely
be relayed to JCP&L at the above phone number.
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My mailbox was knocked over when my street was plowed yesterday. How long will it take to be fixed? |
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You should call the Roads Maintenance Bureau directly at 732-972-8866 if this occurs. The Roads Maintenance Bureau may ask you to call the Administration Division during peak times (right after snow storms end). If this is the case, the Administration Division will compile these complaints. |
I just moved into my development and have problems with water/soil erosion in my yard. What help can the Township provide? |
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Provided the Township still retains a bond against the developer, the concerned party should contact the Engineering Division to report exactly what and where the problem is. The Engineering Division will either send out their inspector or relay the information to the inspecting engineer the Township has hired. Either way an inspector will visit the site, assess the problem and interface with the developer to discuss a solution of the problem and a time frame for carrying it out. Resolution of said problem is normally a requirement that needs to be satisfied prior to the release of the developer's performance bond with the Township. If the development is at a stage where the performance bonds have been released, then the homeowner needs to solicit the services of a private engineer or contractor to resolve the problem. |
There is water in my basement. What can the Township do for me? |
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If the house is in a development in which the Township is holding a performance bond, then the grading of the yard will be checked to ensure that the land is not graded toward the house. This is the extent of the Engineering Division's involvement. If the problem is due to high groundwater or defects in the basement walls, the homeowner should contact the Construction Division , or their warranty company if the house is more than one year old. |
My neighbor's tree has grown over my property or the sidewalk. What can be done? |
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If your neighbor's tree has grown over your property line, you should first alert your neighbor to the fact and ask him to trim the offending branches. You have the right to trim the branches if he refuses. At any rate, this is a dispute between two residences and the Township will not be involved.
If a tree limb(s) has grown over a public right-of-way (the sidewalk or road), and it is within six feet of the ground, you should contact the Engineering Division Since it is a homeowner's responsibility to maintain these branches, a letter will be sent by the Township asking the property owner to trim the tree or brush. If the work is not completed or a response is not received within a certain time frame, the Township will perform the work, using their own forces. |
Is my front property line at the curbline of the street? I don't have sidewalks on my street. |
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Whether
a street has sidewalks or not, the street right-of-way
line (the property line between your lot and the Township-maintained
area) is generally at least three feet in towards your
house from the edge of pavement, curbline, or sidewalk
at a distance which varies depending on the right-of-way
width.
Most residential subdivisions with a 36 foot wide street have
a distance of seven feet between the curb and right-of-way
line. This seven foot strip encompasses sidewalks and the area
between the sidewalk and curb. The distance to the right-of-way
line on a chosen street may be obtained from the Township tax
maps or by contacting the Engineering Division or the Tax
Assessor Division .
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FAQ - Prospective Homeowners |
I'm building a new house and I'm told I need a groundwater test. What is this test and how do I get it done? |
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By ordinance, a two-foot separation is required between the water table (level of water in the ground) at the BOTTOM of a house or addition's lowest footing at the time the footing is poured. An Engineering Division inspector checks the level of the water to verify that the two-foot separation requirement has been met. There is a $120 fee to cover the Township's costs. |
I'm buying a property and the developer's plan shows a Conservation Easement. What does this mean? |
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A Conservation Easement means
the area within the easement is to remain as is (conserved).
Therefore, clearing (tree or shrub removal), grading, erection
of pools, fences, sheds, decks, or any structure are not permitted.
Limited trimming of trees to promote better growth is permitted,
but no other alteration is permitted. Note: If relief from
a conservation easement is strongly desired, application may
be made to the Zoning Board of Adjustment .
Fences are permitted within such an easement. All fences must
be erected within the property lines, and no fence shall be
erected so as to encroach upon any easement or right-of-way,
unless an agreement permitting the erection of the fence is
executed with the owner of the affected easement or right-of-way,
and the location of the fence would otherwise conform to the
Township's Zoning Ordinance and does not impair the purpose
or function of the easement or right-of-way. The agreement
shall contain a provision stating that if access to the affected
easement or right-of-way is required, removal and replacement
of the subject fence shall be at the sole expense of the owner
of the fence. Fences shall be erected in a manner so as to
permit the flow of natural drainage and shall not cause surface
water to be blocked or dammed to create ponding. |
I'm buying a property and the developer's plan shows a Utility Easement. What does this mean? |
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A Utility Easement indicates that there will
be an underground utility pipe (drainage, sanitary sewer and/or
water main) running through part of the property. The easement
is made so the appropriate authority (Township, Sewer or Water)
will have the right to enter the land should service or work
on the pipe or other structure (manhole, drain) ever be necessary.
The easement precludes the erection of fences, sheds, decks,
or any other structures. Note: If relief from a Utility Easement
is strongly desired, application may be made to the Zoning
Board of Adjustment.
Fences are permitted within such an easement. All fences must
be erected within the property lines, and no fence shall be
erected so as to encroach upon any easement or right-of-way,
unless an agreement permitting the erection of the fence is
executed with the owner of the affected easement or right-of-way,
and the location of the fence would otherwise conform to the
Township's Zoning Ordinance and does not impair the purpose
or function of the easement or right-of-way. The agreement
shall contain a provision stating that if access to the affected
easement or right-of-way is required, removal and replacement
of the subject fence shall be at the sole expense of the owner
of the fence. Fences shall be erected in a manner so as to
permit the flow of natural drainage and shall not cause surface
water to be blocked or dammed to create ponding.
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I'm buying a property and the developer's plan shows a Wetlands Buffer Area. What does this mean? |
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A wetlands buffer area is an area designated by the State Department of Environmental Protection to be just that - a buffer from the wetlands against areas of construction activities such as grading, clearing, or the erection of structures. The buffer does however allow the planting of gardens and other limited activity. A complete list of prohibited and permitted activities in buffer areas may be obtained by calling the NJ DEP in Trenton at 609-984-0184. |
I need a list of offsite conditions for _____ development. How do I obtain this list? |
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By State Law, the Municipal Clerk's Office has this list available during normal Township business hours. You can contact the Municipal Clerk at 732-536-0200, Ext. 505. |
Is there water service on ______ road? |
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One of two water companies that operate in the Township will be able to supply you with this information:
- Gordon's Corner Water Company services the area south of both Route 520 and Wyncrest Road. The Gordon's Corner Water Company can be reached at 732-946-9333.
- The Marlboro Municipal Utilities Authority (MTMUA) services the remainder of the Township. The MTMUA can be reached at 732-591-1757.
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Is there sewer service on ______ road? |
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The sewer authority, Western Monmouth Utilities Authority (WMUA) , will have this information. The WMUA can be reached at 732-446-9300. |
