South Orange, NJ · Essex County
Pre-Application Sketch Plan Review
This application lets prospective applicants request informal, non-binding review of a development concept by South Orange’s Zoning Officer, Village Planner, and/or Land Use Administrator before preparing formal plans.
- licensed online notary
- ~15 min average
- Notarized PDF emailed
What you’ll need
- Government-issued photo ID
- Webcam-enabled device (laptop or phone)
- This form, ready to upload as a PDF
What this form is
South Orange encourages, but does not require, prospective applicants to use this process for preliminary discussion of a development proposal, zoning guidance, the review process, and board jurisdiction. The six-page packet includes the application, technical review fee form, ownership and tax certificates, and a W-9. Submit the required copies, survey, concept sketch, and fee payment in hard copy to the Land Use Administrator at Village Hall; email the digital PDF submissions as instructed.
Who needs it
Prospective applicants seeking preliminary, non-binding review of a development proposal should submit this packet with the required property information, survey, concept sketch, and technical review fee.
Why it needs a notary
The certificate of ownership includes a sworn-to-and-subscribed-before-me jurat; the corporation or partnership officer signing that certificate must sign before the notary.
How to get this notarized
- 1
Download The Packet
Download South Orange’s pre-application sketch plan review packet and review the instructions and submission checklist.
- 2
Complete The Forms
Fill in the applicant and property information, complete the ownership and tax certificates, and prepare the survey, concept sketch, and fee form.
- 3
Book An Online Notary
Arrange an online notarization for the officer signing the certificate of ownership.
- 4
Sign On Video
The officer signs the ownership certificate before the commissioned online notary during the video session.
- 5
Submit To The Village
Provide the required hard copies and fee payment to the Land Use Administrator at Village Hall, and email the digital PDF submissions as instructed.
Preview the form
The blank PDF straight from South Orange. Look it over, then upload your filled copy to start the notary session.
You’ll need ID and a webcam.
A licensed online notary will join you on video, verify your government-issued ID, witness your signature, and apply their seal. You’ll receive the notarized PDF by email when the session ends.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I submit the pre-application sketch plan packet?
- Submit the application and payment in hard copy to the Land Use Administrator at Village Hall, and email the digital PDF submissions as instructed. Include the required survey, concept sketch, and other listed materials.
- Do I need to have the ownership certificate notarized?
- The certificate of ownership contains a jurat requiring the officer’s signature to be sworn to and subscribed before a notary. The form also requests ownership information for corporations or partnerships.
- Can I sign the ownership certificate with an online notary?
- New Jersey has permanently authorized remote online and remote ink notarization for its own notaries since October 2021. An authorized officer performing a notarial act in another state has the same effect as a New Jersey notarial act. Confirm with the municipality if unsure.
- Is there an application fee for this review?
- The instructions state there is no application fee, but prospective applicants must pay technical review fees for professional services. The listed fee depends on the proposal category.