N.J. Stat. § 6:1-44

The commissioner shall provide for the licensing of airports, landing strips, or other avigation facilities and temporary landing areas by rules, regulations and orders adequate to protect the public health and safety and the safety of those participating in aeronautical activities; provided, however, that the continued use and operation of airports, landing strips, and other avigation facilities, in use and operation on the effective date of this chapter, for which an application for a license shall have been filed within the time fixed by the commissioner, shall be permitted, pending the granting or rejection of such applications; and provided further, that the application for a license for any airport, landing strip, or other avigation facility in use and operation on the effective date of this chapter shall be granted, unless the commissioner shall find that such airports, landing strips, or other avigation facilities are not constructed, equipped and operated in accordance with the standards and requirements fixed by the rules, regulations and orders of the commissioner. Whenever the commissioner or the Director of Aeronautics shall reject any application for license under the provisions of this section, he shall state in writing the reasons for such rejection. The commissioner may further determine it necessary and provide for the licensing of specific aeronautical activities, fixed base operations, or persons engaged in specific types of aeronautical activities, or operations by rules, regulations and orders adequate to protect the public health, safety and welfare and the safety of those participating in aeronautics. L.1938, c. 48, p. 136, s. 25. Amended by L.1952, c. 201, p. 718, s. 4; L.1971, c. 118, s. 4, eff. April 29, 1971; L.1983, c. 264, s. 15, eff. July 11, 1983.