TRENTON—A new law going into effect in March 2026 will require all New Jersey municipalities to post official public notices—such as meeting announcements, bid solicitations, and legal disclosures—on their town websites in a clearly marked, publicly accessible section.
The law eliminates the longstanding requirement to publish such notices in print newspapers, a shift expected to save local governments time and money while accelerating the speed of public communication.
Until now, print publication in a designated “official newspaper” was required by law under the state’s Open Public Meetings Act. That mandate ends March 1, 2026.
Public notices alert residents to scheduled or emergency meetings of town councils, school boards, and land use boards, and shine a light on decisions and deliberations that impact the community.
While municipalities may still choose to publish notices in print, doing so will no longer satisfy the state’s legal requirement.
Under the new rules, all notices must be:
- Published on the municipality’s official website in a dedicated, free-to-access section
- Posted at least 48 hours before a meeting or action, or as otherwise required by law
- Archived online for a minimum of one year
A statewide database linking to every municipal notices page will also be established.
“I think it’s a good thing. We’ll save money for the town and it will save us time,” said Washington Township Clerk Sue Witkowski, estimating annual savings of around $4,000. She added, “Posting public notices online will get the information out to the public quicker.”
Montvale Borough Administrator Joseph Voytus agreed the change should be manageable, saying, “In this day and age, creating a separate section of the website for public notices should not be a heavy lift.”
He said Montvale spent about $12,300 on public notices in 2024, and was on track to spend roughly $10,000 in 2025.
Supporters of the reform—including the New Jersey State League of Municipalities and more than 160 towns that passed resolutions in favor—say the new approach increases efficiency and modernizes communication. Critics, including the New Jersey Press Association and local newspaper publishers, argue the change could reduce public visibility and accountability, especially in communities with limited internet access or poor website design.
The law also comes in the wake of the Star-Ledger and other dailies ceasing print publication in early 2025. Many smaller newspapers have expressed concern that the loss of legal advertising revenue could lead to further consolidation and job losses in the local news sector.
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