Riparian & Tidelands Law in NJ

The law firm of Davison, Eastman, Muñoz, Paone, P.A. has over 30 years of experience helping New Jersey property owners and developers resolve disputes specific to riparian rights in New Jersey, as well as public and private Tidelands Law related issues.

Riparian lands are all lands that are currently and formerly flowed by the mean high tide of a natural waterway. Riparian lands are also referred to as Tidelands. Tidelands claims can be found in 17 of 21 counties in New Jersey.

Ownership and use issues related to Tidelands Law in NJ can be very complex.

It is essential that a property owners are aware of their rights as they address Tidelands ownership and regulatory laws.

Davison, Eastman, Muñoz, Paone, P.A. has helped clients process applications for:

Waterfront Development and Permits – Examples of development that usually requires a Waterfront Development Permit can include the installation of bulkheads, piers, boat lifts, jet ski ramps and docks.

Riparian Grants –A Riparian Grant is applied to filled and unfilled tidelands. A property owner may pursue a grant to gain clear title if his or her property is hindered by a tidelands claim. Riparian Grants are not mandatory. They can contain conditions or exceptions; they are not uniform.

Riparian Leases – A long term lease for NJ tidelands that are currently flowed. New Jersey no longer sells tidelands that are currently flowed. A lease may be pursued for proposed and past construction of homes that have been constructed over water or large development projects.

Tidelands License – A short term rental agreement is required for use of currently flowed tidelands. Docks, boat lifts and dredging are examples of use that typically require a Tidelands License.

Statements of No Interest – A Statement of No Interest is an official document issued by the State of New Jersey, attesting to the fact that a particular property or area is free from all state tidelands claims. It may be obtained for as evidence that no such tidelands claim exists for a property. They are only issued when an applicant can prove beyond all doubt that the State of New Jersey has no tidelands claim to that particular parcel of land.

CAFRA Permits – A CAFRA Permit may be required for certain types of construction or development in an area regulated under the Coastal Area Facility Review Act.

With our extensive collection of shore maps and indexes dating back almost a century, we can help determine your property’s true ownership and whether improvements are allowable by license, lease or permit.

Contact one of our Riparian attorneys in NJ to help you resolve a Tidelands or Complex Title Dispute.

Speak to a Riparian Rights Attorney Today

For three decades the attorneys at Davison, Eastman, Muñoz, Paone, P.A. have applied their in-depth experience and outstanding service to clients in an increasingly wide spectrum of the law, including Riparian rights and Tidelands Law in NJ.

Our clients trust us to represent them on a multitude of general and complex issues that might arise in any business, individual or family setting.

Our Monmouth County law office is located in Freehold. We also have an office in Toms River.