Click here to access the Zoning Board’s meeting agendas, minutes, and notices. 

Zoning is the establishment of standards across our neighborhoods in an orderly pattern to protect our community’s health, safety, and welfare. It determines how our town’s land is used and what operations or activities may be permitted when and where.  The office reviews construction application permits, it also issues utility shed permits along with patio, fence, and gazebo permits.

Questions regarding construction of additions, decks, and driveways should be referred to Zoning, as well as questions on snow removal from sidewalks.

The Zoning Officer reviews permit requests to ensure all projects and proposals conform to our ordinance standards. In addition, Zoning also investigates property maintenance issues.

The Zoning Enforcement Office is located in the lower level of the municipal building. The office hours are from 9AM – 5 PM. 

Before starting any home project or development, you should check with Zoning to determine if the work requires a permit. Depending on the project, you may also require construction, plumbing, and electrical permits, but a Zoning permit is your first step.

Permits are required for the following:

• New house construction, additions
• Detached garages
• Decks, porches, or patios
• Sheds, fences, retaining walls
• Pools (above and in-ground), hot tubs, spas
• Standby generators
• Signs

If you have questions regarding the permit process or other Zoning matters, please get in touch with Roger Dornbierer at 908-725-6300 x5541.

Property owners and tenants are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks. Snow may not be moved to a cleared public roadway due to public safety concerns. Please refer to Chapter 182, SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL of the municipal code for more information.

The Zoning Officer conducts field investigations. Land use and ordinance violations are two of the areas routinely brought to his or her attention. Complaints often include inoperable or unregistered vehicles. Complaints made by residents are recorded and investigated. Occasionally, summonses are issued and the offenders are required to appear in court.

Attention: All Real Estate Agents – under our ordinance, “For Sale” signs are limited to the listed property only. Any “Open House” or directional signs off the property are allowed for the day of the open house only.

All Planning and Board of Adjustment application questions are referred to the Planning Office and specifically to the Board Secretary at ext. 5530.

The Zoning Office can be reached at (908) 725-6300 ext. 5541

The Land Use Administration Office can be reached at (908) 725-6300 ext. 5530

HOME OCCUPATIONS
Chapter 126-368 to view the ordinance on Home Occupations.
Home-Office-or-Occupation.form-2024

FENCE GUIDELINES

All fencing requires a Zoning Permit issued by the Zoning Office. Permit requires a survey showing the fence location and a picture or specifications of the style of fence. An inspection of the completed fence is only made if a complaint is made with the Zoning Office.  Maximum fine for erecting a fence without a permit may be $1,000.00.

A fence is a structure. It cannot be over six feet in height. Any fence placement that may violate a property line becomes a civil issue and the township does not arbitrate any dispute. Any fence placed along a wall along a property line cannot be higher then six feet on both sides measured at ground level.

Any landscaping along any property line may augment privacy with no regulation.

Solid and Open Fence:

All fences must be installed a minimum of six (6) inches set back from all property lines and shall comply with the following:

• No portion of the fence, including face, footing, foundation, or posts, shall be installed over the property line, or into the road right of way.
• No fence shall interfere with sight distance along any portion of the road right of way or access easement.
• No fence is permitted within an existing sight triangle.
• No fence may encroach onto a public utility easement or public access easement without the written permission of the Township Engineer and a written agreement between the property owner and Township that is to remain in perpetuity for the life of the fence, and must be recorded in the Somerset County Clerk’s Office.  At a minimum, a gate shall be required on one (1) side of the easement for access.
• No fence shall encroach onto a conservation easement.

Height of a fence shall be as follows:

• The maximum height of a fence is six (6) feet along the rear property line.
• The maximum height of a fence is six (6) feet along the side property line if the fence terminates no less than three (3) feet behind the front of the principal building, excluding such projections as porches, steps, bay and bow windows, patios and similar projections.
• The maximum six (6) feet height may be continued from the side property line to the principal building as long as it is no less than three (3) feet behind the front of the principal building.

In all other areas of a lot, the maximum height of a fence is 48 inches and shall contain gaps of at least 50% of the width of the solid vertical portion staggered in a manner similar to a picket fence.

Fences used to enclose non-residential electrical supply stations and mechanical facilities having energized electrical conductors or equipment shall be a maximum of eight (8) feet in height and shall be effectively grounded.       

Fences that are constructed on top of or in association with a retaining wall shall be limited to four (4) feet in height and shall comply with all other applicable provisions of this Chapter.

Measurement of the height of a fence shall be as follows: 

The height of a fence shall be measured from the lowest surface of the ground to the highest point of the fence throughout its entire length.

For a fence placed on top of a retaining wall, the combined structure shall be measured from the bottom elevation of the retaining wall to the highest point of the fence.

Section 196-3, DESIGN STANDARDS

Design Standards for fencing shall be as follows:

• The finished face of the fence must face the abutting property, except:
  • Where the fence encloses an outdoor recreational facility.
  • Where the fence is in a residential zone and where the fence abuts a commercial or industrial property.
• Fence posts may be six inches higher than the fence.
• Fence installation shall not adversely affect drainage.
• Fence shall be constructed out of material customarily used for fence construction.
• Fences or barriers surrounding swimming pools shall be consistent with the currently adopted Building Codes in the State of New Jersey.

SHEDS – GAZEBOS

 All sheds require a permit. Application must include a survey locating the shed and a picture with specification sheet of the shed. 

Sheds – 100 SF or less

1. Requires Zoning permit only.  No UCC building permit needed
2. Height maximum of ten (10) feet as measured from grade to the peak
3. Distance to side and rear property lines is three (3) feet only in the following zones:  R-20.1, R-10.1, R-10, R-10A, and R-10B
4. All other zones the minimum distance to side and rear property lines is ten (10) feet
5. Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for footing or foundation
6. Cannot be placed in front yard
7. Height over ten (10) feet, accessory structure setbacks for each zone applies and requires a UCC building permit
8. No utilities allowed without proper UCC building permits
9. This is an accessory structure (maximum of two (2) per lot)

Sheds – 101 – 199 SF

1. Requires Zoning permit only.  No UCC building permit needed
2. Height maximum of ten (10) feet as measured from grade to the peak
3. Taxed
4. Locate on your survey within setback for that zone
5. Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for footing or foundation
6. Cannot be placed in front yard
7. Height over ten (10) feet, accessory structure setbacks for each zone applies and requires a UCC Building permit
8. No utilities allowed without proper UCC building permits
9. This is an accessory structure (maximum of two (2) per lot)

Sheds – 200+ SF

1. Requires Zoning and UCC building permits
2. Locate on your survey within setback for that zone
3. Taxed
4. Cannot be placed in front yard
5. Maximum height at peak is sixteen (16) feet as measured from grade to the peak. 
6. No utilities allowed without proper UCC building permits
7. This is an accessory structure (maximum of two (2) per lot)

Gazebos

1. All gazebos require a zoning permit and a UCC building permit
2. Locate on your survey within setback for that zone
3. Taxed
4. Cannot be placed in front yard
5. Maximum height at peak is sixteen (16) feet as measured from grade to the peak
6. Utilities require UCC building permits
7. This is an accessory structure (maximum of two (2) per lot)

Please note that Bridgewater Township does not maintain copies of property surveys.  Each property owner is responsible for obtaining their own survey.

PATIOS & RETAINING WALLS

Patio permits require a survey show the location of the patio and showing the area in square feet. That area is subject to the total improved lot coverage according to the Zoning Chart for that zone.

Patios cannot be closer than five (5) feet to side and rear property lines.

Landscape Retaining Walls require a Zoning Permit.  The height of the wall is the distance it must stay from a property line. An example is a two-foot wall must remain a minimum of two feet from property line.  The application requires the wall must be located on a survey.

Patios and retaining walls that are part of a Building Permit like for a pool, do not require a separate Zoning Permit.  Retaining walls over four (4) feet require a UCC building permit.  The Code Enforcement Office inspects them.