The region is both publicly and privately owned and consists of more than 1 million acres. Legislation to regulate development divided the Pinelands into Preservation and Protection areas. In the 295,000 acre Preservation Area, development is highly regulated, and only land uses compatible with the ecological features of the area are allowed. Residential development is prohibited in these areas, with the only exceptions made for families that have lived there for 20 years or more. The Protection Area contains a variety of features, including forest, farmlands, and towns.
Development is encouraged on lands adjacent to previously developed areas.
The Commission also designated Forest, Agricultural Production, Rural Development, and Regional Growth Areas. A unique feature of the Pinelands Program is the use of Pinelands Development Credit, which gives development credits to landowners in Preservation and Agricultural Production Areas. Developers who own land in Regional Growth Areas may purchase development credits from landowners in the preservation areas, and use those credits to increase density in their projects. This credit program is an excellent example of a regional land use program, as well as a fine model for using incentives direct growth into specific areas and protect sensitive lands without threatening property rights.