Certification Program

The Certification Program began in the fall of 1993 to provide educational opportunities to planning and zoning board of appeals members. This program is comprised of three, 3-hour courses. The seminars are held on different nights. These courses were designed to provide new board members with the basic information necessary to participate in the board meetings. Topics of discussion cover fundamental information that all board members should know, as well as advanced information that seasoned board members could benefit from. 

• Session I topics include: the law creating the boards, roles of the different players, board member responsibilities, and their limitations

• Session II topics  include: the update of case law, State Environmental Quality Review Act case law, and discussions on State Law that may impact planning or zoning related issues – and the implications of some of these decisions

• Session III consists of two simultaneous sessions: one that focuses on planning board related issues, such as comprehensive plans, site plans and map interpretation, subdivision review, cluster development, special permits, and the State Environmental Quality Review Act; the other focuses on zoning board related issues such as area variances, use variances, and special permits

Each planning board and zoning board of appeals member is required to attend each course once to become certified, and then every other year, they must attend Session II, the "Update of Case Law," to become re-certified. These courses also count towards the State-mandated, four-hour annual requirement that planning and zoning board members must attend. Sessions I and III are held annually in the Spring. Session II is held two times a year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall.

Please contact Adam Carsen to be added to the Rockland County Planning Federation's mailing list to stay informed on upcoming Certification Courses and other training opportunities.

Since the program began, 992 people have become certified, and 2,598 have been re-certified (as of Spring 2025).

---

The Spring 2025 Certification Courses were held in-person from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. The Fall 2025 Session II Certification Course was held virtually from 7:00 to 9:30. Information on these courses can be found below:

Session I - Overview of the Boards:
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Orangetown Town Hall - 26 Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY 10962

• Information Flyer

Session II - Update of Case Law:
Monday, June 16, 2025
Haverstraw Town Hall - 1 Rosman Road, Garnerville, NY 10923

• Information Flyer
• Spring 2025 Case Law Handout
  
  

Session II - Update of Case Law:
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Zoom Virtual Meeting

• Information Flyer
• Fall 2025 Case Law Handout

Session III - Working Group Discussion for Zoning Board of Appeals Members:
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 
Dr. Robert L. Yeager Health Center - 50 Sanatorium Road, Building A, Pomona, NY, 10970

• Information Flyer

Session III - Working Group Discussion for Planning Board Members:
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Clarkstown Town Hall - 10 Maple Avenue, New City, NY 10956

• Information Flyer

Visit the Planning Federation's Youtube page to view previously recorded virtual sessions. Note: videos watched through this method will not receive credit for the Certification or training requirements.