Howell, NJ Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)

Howell Township has no free-standing rental ADU category. Section 188-4 defines MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILY ACCOMMODATIONS as a dwelling area serving as secondary living space for a relative or relatives. It must connect by a door to the rest of the residence, can have separate kitchen appliances installed pursuant to codes, and must have access to the main entrance of the house, with an optional side or rear entrance. The use is a permitted principal use in the Agricultural Rural Estate Zones under § 188-69(B)(1)(e), and the same wording appears in the permitted-use lists of other zone sections of Chapter 188.

The rental limit sits in the recorded agreement: it names the persons permitted to occupy the space, so it is not open to general tenants, and the owner agrees to remove all kitchen appliances when the named parties no longer reside there. A separate regime applies to true accessory apartments in single-family homes under § 188-178(H), part of the Township's Mount Laurel affordable-housing rules. It is a special use permit issued by the Township Planning Board. The primary unit must be owner-occupied, the apartment needs at least 400 square feet of net floor area and is limited to two bedrooms, and the lot cannot be smaller than 20,000 square feet.

The unit must be available to low- or moderate-income tenants for at least 10 years under a recorded deed restriction, rent excluding utilities cannot exceed 30% of gross monthly income, and no owner can rent to anyone not certified eligible by the administering agency. Construction needs a building permit and certificate of occupancy under the Uniform Construction Code.