What permits do you need to open a retail store in Monmouth County?

Animal Facility (Pet Shop) Plan Review Fee (County Health Department Member Towns)

This is a county plan review charge, not a license, and applies to a retail store only if it operates as a pet shop. Section VI of Monmouth County Board of Health Ordinance 1-2020 sets Animal Facility Operations (N.J.A.C. 8:23A) fees of $150.00 for a new facility plan review with cats or dogs, $100.00 for a new facility plan review without cats or dogs, and $50.00 for a facility plan revision. N.J.A.C. 8:23A-1.1 defines "Facility" as "any kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound". The Health Department's R2 guidance for boarding kennels states that operators must apply to the municipal government for a license and that licensure requires an inspection by the local health department. The fee applies only in the 34 member municipalities listed on the Health Department's About page: Aberdeen, Allentown, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Avon, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Eatontown, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Howell, Keansburg, Keyport, Lake Como, Little Silver, Manasquan, Marlboro, Matawan, Middletown, Millstone, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Oceanport, Ocean Township, Red Bank, Roosevelt, Shrewsbury Borough, Shrewsbury Township, Union Beach, Upper Freehold and West Long Branch. Freehold Borough is served by the Freehold Area Health Department, according to that department's own page.

County Planning Board Site Plan and Subdivision Review (Development Review Committee)

The county's Development Review page states that the Monmouth County Development Review Committee is empowered to take action on behalf of the Planning Board regarding approval of subdivisions and site plans affecting county roads and drainage facilities or properties owned or maintained by the county. The same page states that newly adopted procedural regulations, including application forms and the fee schedule, became effective on August 1, 2026, and the Development Regulations page states that Volume 1 was amended by the Board of County Commissioners on May 28, 2026. The figures are those printed on the Addendum A-3 Fee Schedule, which states 'Date Effective August 1, 2026'. A restaurant, shop or auto repair business meets this review only when its project involves a site plan or subdivision; the contractor or developer usually files it. Municipal planning and zoning approvals are separate.

Retail Food Establishment Plan Review Fee (County Health Department Member Towns)

This is a county plan review charge, not a license. Section VI of Monmouth County Board of Health Ordinance 1-2020 sets the New Facility/Plan Review fee for retail food establishments at $25.00 (Risk 1), $75.00 (Risk 2), $100.00 (Risk 3) and $200.00 (Risk 4). The county's Board of Health Ordinances page lists 1-2020 as the current Fee Schedule Ordinance and 3-2017 under previous ordinances. The Health Department's plan review form (dated 5/2/2019) cites Ordinance 3-2017, whose retail food figures are the same, and states that the fee is determined by the establishment's risk type as defined in N.J.A.C. 8:24-1.5 and that the plan "will not be reviewed prior to receipt of the fee". The form also states: "The Monmouth County Health Department does not license or issue permits. All licenses and permits are issued by the municipality in which your retail food establishment resides." The fee applies only in the 34 municipalities the Health Department lists as served on its About page: Aberdeen, Allentown, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Avon, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Eatontown, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Howell, Keansburg, Keyport, Lake Como, Little Silver, Manasquan, Marlboro, Matawan, Middletown, Millstone, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Oceanport, Ocean Township, Red Bank, Roosevelt, Shrewsbury Borough, Shrewsbury Township, Union Beach, Upper Freehold and West Long Branch. Freehold Borough, the county seat, is served by the Freehold Area Health Department, according to that department's own page.

Shared with other businesses in Monmouth County

• Retail Food Establishment Re-Inspection Fee (County Health Department Member Towns) — Monmouth County Health Department (Office of Public Health), Monmouth County Board of Health, $100–$500 per re-inspection: first $100, second within two years $250, third within two years $500; initial inspection carries no fee (Board of Health Ordinance 1-2020, Section V), per re-inspection. Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.