Total Demolition

Total demolition, defined below, in designated historic areas in the Township are subject to the Demolition of Historic Structures ordinance. Approval authority for total demolition of historic buildings, sites, and structures rests with the Historic Preservation Commission. There is a specific application form(PDF, 232KB)  that must be filled out and submitted to the Planning Department for processing.

Definitions from Montclair Code § 347-142.1

Total Demolition: For purposes of this section the razing, dismantling or destruction of substantially all of any building or of any publicly visible facade wall, including removal of a building from its site, which may or may not include the foundation. "Total demolition" is to be distinguished from "demolition" as defined at § 347-128, which is a broader category that includes total demolition. "Substantially all" of a building means at least 50% of the exterior walls.

Historic Structure: Includes any property 1) in a federally, state- or locally designated historic zoning district; or 2) on a federally, state- or locally designated historic site identified on the Zoning or Official Map; or 3) identified as historic or potentially historic in the Historic Preservation Element of the Master Plan with a documented historic survey filed with the New Jersey State Historic Preservation Office. The Department of Planning and Community Development shall maintain a list of properties deemed to be historic structures, and a notation to that effect added to the property record in the Tax Assessor's office.

See the Total Demolition Properties Map to find out if the demolition ordinance applies to your property.