So. Burl. Cty. NAACP v. Tp. of Mt. Laurel

Summary

The New Jersey Supreme Court held that developing municipalities must, through their land‑use regulations, presumptively provide a realistic opportunity for a variety of housing—including low‑ and moderate‑income units—at least to the extent of their fair share of regional need, and that Mount Laurel’s zoning ordinance was invalid to the extent that it foreclosed such opportunity. The court modified the trial court’s judgment, invalidating only the offending provisions, ordering the township to amend its ordinance within 90 days, and vacating the order requiring a study and plan of affirmative action.