This bill establishes a requirement for municipal agencies in New Jersey to obtain a certificate of need from the Office of Local Planning Services in the Department of Community Affairs before approving applications for the construction or expansion of warehouses exceeding 100,000 square feet. The bill defines a warehouse and outlines the process for developers, who must notify the municipal agency of their intent to apply for development prior to securing the certificate of need. The certificate must be included with the development application.

Additionally, the Office of Local Planning Services is tasked with adopting rules and regulations to set standards for issuing the certificate of need. These standards include requirements that at least 90 percent of the proposed warehouse space is leased or committed to active use if it houses multiple businesses, or that 100 percent is leased for a single business. The bill aims to address the issue of vacant warehouses and ensure that new developments meet community needs by being occupied and utilized effectively.