ADU rules in Somerset County, NJ — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
New Jersey has no statewide ADU mandate. Under N.J.S.A. 40:55D-62, each Somerset County municipality decides through its own zoning ordinance whether an accessory apartment is allowed, in Bridgewater, Hillsborough, or Bernards.
The Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-62, delegates zoning power to the municipality, and New Jersey has passed no law forcing towns to permit accessory dwelling units. So whether a backyard cottage or in-law suite is allowed, and on what lot size, is set township by township across Somerset County. Where a town does allow one, the municipal construction official still issues a UCC building permit and the unit must meet the state code for egress, ceiling height, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. County government has no zoning role.
Building a second dwelling unit where the municipal zoning ordinance does not allow it is a zoning violation that draws enforcement and denial of a certificate of occupancy. Building without a UCC permit is unlawful.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Somerset County's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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