N.J. Stat. tit. 40, ch. 42

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 40:42-1 Municipality; municipal corporation

The term "municipality" or "municipal corporation" , where used in this subtitle, means and includes "city" , "town" , "township" , "village" , "borough" , and any municipality governed by a board of commissioners, or improvement commission.

N.J. Stat. § 40:42-2 Governing body

The term "governing body" , where used in this subtitle, shall be construed to mean the board or body in each municipality designated by statute effective in such municipality as the board or body having control over the subject matter in connection with which the term is used, and having the power and authority to legislate thereon, whether designated as "board of aldermen" , "common council" , "board of commissioners" , "borough council" , "township committee" , "village trustees" , "improvement commission" , "board of street and water commissioners" , "board of public works" , "board of finance" , "board of health" , "park commissioners" , "recreation commissioners" , or otherwise.

N.J. Stat. § 40:42-3 Construction

No provision of this subtitle shall be construed to take from any officer, board or body in any municipality any power or authority which he or it may now have. In case any additional power is conferred upon any municipality by this subtitle and no board or body is designated by the statutes effective in such municipality as the one that exercises such power, then the term "governing body" shall be construed to mean the board or body exercising general legislative power in such municipality.

N.J. Stat. § 40:42-4 Municipalities given fullest powers

In construing the provisions of this subtitle, all courts shall construe the same most favorably to municipalities, it being the intention to give all municipalities to which this subtitle applies the fullest and most complete powers possible over the internal affairs of such municipalities for local self-government.

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