New Jersey: Does the state observe daylight saving time?
New Jersey observes daylight saving time under state law and has not enacted a year-round time law.
New Jersey's standard time law moves clocks one hour ahead each year. It still names the old April and October dates, but the federal March and November dates apply. Bills for permanent daylight saving time, contingent on Congress, and for permanent standard time have been introduced in recent sessions, but none has become law.
What the law says
The standard time of this State shall be the time of the seventy-fifth meridian west from Greenwich, and wherever time is named within this State, in any manner whatsoever, it shall be deemed and taken to be such standard time, except that the standard time of this State shall be 1 hour in advance of such prescribed time from 2:00 A.M. on the last Sunday in April until 2:00 A.M. on the last Sunday in October in each year, and except where otherwise expressed.
Sources
- N.J. Stat. Ann. § 1:1-2.3 (FindLaw) Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
- N.J. S1510 (2024-2025 session), introduced text amending R.S. 1:1-2.3 Official · pub.njleg.gov
- NCSL, Daylight Saving Time State Legislation (updated Oct. 12, 2026) Secondary · ncsl.org
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- New Jersey Legislature
- Website
- njleg.state.nj.us
How bordering states compare
- Delaware Observes DST, law to go year-roundDelaware observes daylight saving time, but a 2019 law would move it to Atlantic time year-round if neighboring states and federal officials act.
- New York Observes DSTNew York observes daylight saving time and has no enacted law to go year-round.
- Pennsylvania Observes DSTPennsylvania observes daylight saving time and has not enacted a law to change it.
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