N.J. Stat. tit. 40A, ch. 6

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 40A:6-1 Classification of counties for legislative purposes

40A:6-1. For legislative purposes, counties are classified as follows based upon their population as ascertained by the most recent federal decennial census: a. First class--counties having a population of more than 550,000 and a population density of more than 3,000 persons per square mile; b. Second class-- all other counties having a population of more than 200,000 except such counties bordering on the Atlantic ocean; c. Third class--counties having a population of not less than 50,000 but not more than 200,000 except such counties bordering on the Atlantic ocean; d. Fourth class--counties having a population of less than 50,000 except such counties bordering on the Atlantic ocean; e. Fifth class--counties bordering on the Atlantic ocean having a population of more than 125,000; f. Sixth class--counties bordering on the Atlantic ocean having a population of not more than 125,000. L.1979, c.181, s.1; amended 1981, c.462, s.44; 2001,c.336.

N.J. Stat. § 40A:6-2 When change in classification effective

40A:6-2. Whenever the classification of any county is changed by reason of increase of population as shown by any future federal decennial census, the change in class shall be deemed to take effect on July 1 following the receipt by the Governor of the federal decennial census. L.1979, c. 181, s. 1, eff. Aug. 29, 1979. Amended by L.1981, c. 462, s. 45; 2021, c.369, s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 40A:6-3 Governing bodies unaffected

Nothing in this article shall be construed to reduce the membership of any county governing body. L.1979, c. 181, s. 1, eff. Aug. 29, 1979.

N.J. Stat. § 40A:6-4 Classification of cities for legislative purposes

For legislative purposes, cities shall be classified as follows based upon population as ascertained by the most recent Federal decennial census: a. First class--cities having a population of more than 150,000; b. Second class--cities having a population of not less than 12,000 but not more than 150,000; c. Third class--all cities which are not first- or second-class cities except cities bordering on the Atlantic ocean being seaside or summer resorts; d. Fourth class--cities bordering on the Atlantic ocean which are seaside or summer resorts. L.1979, c. 181, s. 1, eff. Aug. 29, 1979.

N.J. Stat. § 40A:6-5 Reference in laws to designated classes; notice to courts

It shall be sufficient in any law to refer to the classification of cities as designated in N.J.S. 40A:6-4, and such law shall be construed to apply to all cities of the class referred to. All courts of this State shall take notice of the classification and construe all legislation founded on such classification as if this article were a part of the legislation under consideration, when any law passed on the basis of the classification designated in this article shall be called in question. L.1979, c. 181, s. 1, eff. Aug. 29, 1979.

N.J. Stat. § 40A:6-6 Time when census shall affect classification

40A:6-6. A federal decennial census shall be applicable to the classification of all cities within 90 days after its receipt by the Governor. L.1979, c. 181, s. 1, eff. Aug. 29, 1979. Amended by L.1981, c. 462, s. 46; 2021, c.369, s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 40A:6-7 City becoming member of another class to be governed by laws applicable to such class

When any city becomes, by reason of its population, a member of another class in accordance with the classification above referred to, the laws before that time applicable to the city shall cease to have any effect, and thereafter the city shall be governed only by the laws applicable to the classification in which it is contained; provided, however, that nothing contained in this article shall affect or make void any contracts or rights or any act theretofore done by such city; or in any manner affect or change the internal structure or arrangement thereof or the laws affecting the same during a reasonable time until the newly applicable laws are adopted by ordinance of the governing body of said city. L.1979, c. 181, s. 1, eff. Aug. 29, 1979.

N.J. Stat. § 40A:6-8 Statutes repealed

The following sections, chapters and acts, together with all amendments and supplements thereto, are hereby repealed: Revised Statutes Sections: R.S. 40:17-1 to 40:17-4 inclusive; R.S. 40:167-1 to 40:167-7 inclusive; Pamphlet Laws: P.L.1954, c. 4 (C. 40:17-2.1). L.1979, c. 181, s. 1, eff. Aug. 29, 1979.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026