As a follow up to an earlier post on the incorrect state of the Borough’s tax maps, this post looks at the information around Flood Hazard Areas, since many neighborhoods in SLH are affected by flooding.
As per Section 608.03 of the Handbook for New Jersey Assessor’s (underline added):
608.03 Information on Tax Maps.
Tax maps are used primarily by the municipal assessor and should contain information necessary for his purposes. A tax map is drawn to scale and shows the outlines and dimensions of every parcel in the taxing district. A key map shows the blocks and identifies the detail sheets for block information. The unique parcel identifier for each plot must be the same as the parcel identifier on the Assessment List. Other data, including but not limited to, street names, public utilities, easements, flood plains, riparian grants and leases, exemptions, bodies of water and railroad rights of way are shown on tax maps.
REFERENCES: N.J.A.C. 18:23A et seq.
In regards to specifically Flood Hazard Ares, Floodways, or Flood Fringe Lands, the Handbook goes on to say that:
610.04 Assessment of Floodway or Flood Fringe Lands.
Assessors are required to consider the impact of regulations issued under the Flood Hazard Areas law in establishing full value of lands situated in floodway or flood fringe areas.
REFERENCES: N.J.S.A. 58:16A-61
Excerpts from the NJ Administrative Code, reproduced in the State of New Jersey Tax Maps, Regulations and Standards manual, include this information:
18:23A-1.29 Flood hazards
(a) Where applicable, the tax map must show boundaries of flood hazard areas with dashed lines, as indicated except that alternatively, such boundaries may be shown by the current Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), so that New Jersey is consistent with the national standard, which requires the use of the FIRM maps. (b) Additional information, such as acreage and/or dimensions should indicate flood hazard limits (See Standards, Pages S2l and S22).
Amendedby R.2007d.99,effectiveJune4, 2007. See: 38 NJ.R. 3753(a),39NJ.R. 2271(a). Rewrote(a); and in (b), substituted”S21 and S22″for “71 and 72”.
18:23A-1.30 Miscellaneous assessments
Where applicable the tax map must indicate areas of coastal wetlands, encroachments, solar rights, etc., in the same manner as indicated for flood hazard areas with dashed lines (See Standards, Pages S21 and S22). Amended by R.2007 d.99, effective June 4, 2007.
See: 38 N.J.R. 3753(a), 39 N.J.R. 2271(a). Substituted “must” for “shall” and “S21 and 822” for “71 and 72”.
The State of New Jersey Tax Maps Regulations and Standards manual defines exactly how these encumbered areas are to be defined on the maps:

In reviewing just one area of the Borough of Spring Lake Heights’s tax maps where there is a known Flood Hazard Area, can any of our readers see where the F.H.A. is marked, as required? No?

Both Councilwoman Patricia Cindea and former Mayor Fran Enright were told this issue existed, yet neither one chose to do anything about it. Consequently, property owners could be paying the incorrect amount of tax.
If your house is in a known Flood Hazard Area, you need to attend the November 25th Council meeting and let the Council know you may be paying too much tax for your property.