- N.J.A.C. 8:24 -Sanitation in Retail Food Establishments, Food and Beverage Vending Machines and Cottage Food Operations (N.J. State Food Code)
- Retail Food, Floor Plan Review, Mobile Food Establishments, Farm Markets, Fairs and Festivals
- Recreational Bathing Inspections / Complaint Investigations
- Body Art Establishment Inspections / Complaint Investigations
- Tanning Facility Inspections/ Complaint Investigations
- Campground Facility Inspections
- Youth Camp Inspections
- Septic Systems/ New Septic Plan Review
- Childhood Lead Poisoning Program (Environmental Investigations upon confirmed elevated blood lead level for affected children)
- Public Health Nuisance Investigations
- Animal Facility Inspections / Complaint Investigations
- Smoke Free Act Initiative
- Potable Wells
Please click on a link above to view more information regarding the role of the Ocean County Health Department in each of the above-listed areas.
Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm, excluding holidays. On-call inspectors are available for public health emergencies during off-hours by calling the main phone number for OCHD and leaving information with the answering service.
For life threatening emergencies, please dial 9-1-1 or call your local police department.
The Environmental Division enforces compliance with all applicable laws, codes, rules and regulations which pertain to the matters that fall within its jurisdiction. Investigators will also educate violators (along with using any appropriate enforcement actions necessary) to achieve compliance with these regulations.
If you should have any questions, comments or concerns and would like to discuss them with a public health professional in the environmental division, please do not hesitate to call us at (732) 341-9700, extension 7416. Our courteous and professional staff will be ready to assist.
The Ocean County Fee Schedule can be accessed by clicking HERE.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(732) 341-9700, Extension 7416
(732) 286-1495, fax
John P. Protonentis- Environmental Health Coordinator
jprotonentis@ochd.org, extension 7480
Noel Novak-Schulz- Assistant Environmental Health Coordinator
nschulz@ochd.org, extension 7467
Shannon Burk- Supervising Environmental Health Specialist
sburk@ochd.org, extension 7447
Samantha Olsen- Assistant Environmental Health Coordinator
solsen@ochd.org, extension 7449
The Environmental Health Division consists of a team of Environmental Health Specialists and Environmental Compliance Investigators who strive to protect the public and environmental health and well-being of Ocean County.
Pursuant to the County Environmental Health Act (CEHA), Environmental Health Specialists respond to and investigate environmental incidents/complaints received and referred by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) through the 1-877-WARN DEP hotline, along with complaints received directly into the office from concerned citizens of the County. Standard compliance inspections are conducted at various facilities to ensure operating permit compliance and to promote environmental stewardship. Environmental incidents/complaints and/or compliance inspections are categorized in the following areas:
- Air Pollution - Concerns regarding dust (particulate), odors and other potential air pollutants emitted from commercial and industrial sources are investigated. Click HERE for more information on particulate dust. Click HERE for information on odor enforcement.State regulated (minor) sources of air pollution such as, commercial emergency generators, commercial boilers/heaters, auto body shops and spray booths, dry cleaners, and above-ground fuel storage tanks are inspected. Click HERE for more information. NJ Anti-Idling: Click HERE for more information.
- Water Pollution:
Complaints are investigated in effort to prevent pollution of all bodies of water including the ocean, bays, rivers, streams and lakes, as well as the land area which drain into these waters. Click HERE for more information.
Ocean County Health Department Ordinance 83.2
- Solid Waste:
Complaints regarding improper storage, transportation & disposal of solid waste (‘garbage’) or recyclables are investigated. Solid waste and recycling facilities including sanitary landfills, transfer stations, compost facilities and municipal convenience (recycling) centers are inspected to ensure adherence to State operating approval plans, as applicable. Solid waste hauler and vehicle compliance inspections are conducted. Additional compliance inspections include food waste recycling, soil processing and hauling (‘dirty dirt’), single-use plastics ban, and mandatory source recycling. Click HERE for more information pertaining to solid waste compliance and enforcement.Click HERE for Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management Click HERE to Get Past Plastics - Hazardous Substances Control:
Response is conducted for non-emergency and emergency hazardous materials incidents and complaints. The OCHD utilizes a certified subcontractor for Emergency HazMat response. The Berkeley Emergency Response Team (BERT) Station 85 is an elite team of highly trained and certified volunteers available 24/7. In the interest of protecting the waters and land of Ocean County, Ordinance 83-2 is enforced, along with the New Jersey Spill Compensation and Control Act, as necessary.Click HERE for information regarding hazardous waste basics Click HERE for information regarding hazmat transportation Click HERE for information regarding hazmat disposal Ocean County Health Department Ordinance 83.2
- Noise Pollution: - Complaints regarding noise are investigated per the NJ Noise Control Act and accompanying regulations. A number of municipalities in Ocean County have adopted a model noise ordinance to investigate noise concerns at the local level. Additionally, municipalities can enforce noise locally under a nuisance code (not reviewed/approved by the State) using the “plainly audible” standard which is usually enforced by the police. Please contact your municipality to inquire if a State-approved model noise ordinance has been adopted or a nuisance code is in place. Click HERE for more information
- Groundwater Contamination:
Click HERE for more information - Safe Drinking Water: Concerns regarding public drinking water quality are directed either to the applicable local water department or municipal utilities authority. Privately owned wells should be tested on a routine basis to ensure a safe water supply. Should a problem arise following water testing OCHD (Environmental) should be contacted directly. Click HERE for more information Click HERE for NJDEP Bureau of Safe Drinking Water reference
- Public Non-Community Water Systems: Water systems meeting specified parameters under the New Jersey Safe Drinking Water regulations are inspected for adherence to State and Federal requirements to ensure drinking water safety, quality, and complete administrative & public health deliverables. Click HERE for more information
- Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (CCMP): Water sampling is conducted at designated public recreational bathing sites on the Atlantic coast and estuary shorelines in the County during the summer bathing season (Memorial Day through Labor Day). For more information click HERE.
- Community Right-To-Know Program
Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm, excluding holidays. On-call inspectors are available for environmental health emergencies after hours by calling the main phone number for the OCHD and leaving information with the answering service. Anonymous after-hours complaints may be called into the NJDEP Hotline at 1-877- WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337).
For life threatening emergencies, please dial 9-1-1 or call your local police department.
Environmental Health personnel enforce compliance with all applicable laws, codes, rules and regulations pertaining to matters within its jurisdiction. Investigators educate violators and pursue appropriate enforcement actions, as deemed necessary, to achieve on-going compliance with these regulations.
Should you have any questions, comments, concerns and would like to discuss them with an environmental health professional, please do not hesitate to call us at (732) 341-9700, extension 7416. Our courteous and professional staff is ready to assist.
