TOMS RIVER, NJ – Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill and the township have released a map that shows residents the nearly 1,000 locations, mostly in the northern section of the township where houses of worship can now be built.
Under the township’s previous zoning ordinance, a minimum of 10 acres of land was required to build a new house of worship in the township. Now, after settling with an agreement to appease threats of lawsuits against the township by residents, Hill and the township council voluntarily changed that ordinance to allow houses of worship on lots as small as two acres, opening up thousands of parcels available for development and conversion for religious use.
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The map below shows properties eligible for a religious exemption under the new ordinance signed into law by Hill this year. Eligible properties show in yellow and excluded properties are red. Check out the full map on the township website to see if your neighborhood or property is eligible for religious use and exemption. Once a property is converted to religious use, the owner can file with the state to apply for property tax exemption.
