Englewood, NJ Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

Englewood's zoning is set out in Chapter 250 (Land Use), Part 4 (Zoning), of the Code of Ordinances, enacted under the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.). Article XI (District Regulations) establishes one-family residence districts R-AAA, R-AA, R-A, R-B, R-C, R-D, R-E, and R-F, in which permitted principal uses are limited to one-family dwellings plus accessory uses, accessory buildings, and accessory structures as defined and limited elsewhere in the chapter. Total building coverage on a one-family lot, including accessory buildings, may not exceed 20% if the principal building is one story, or 15% if it exceeds one story. Englewood's standard zoning ordinance does not list a separate detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or accessory apartment as a permitted use in these districts; an interior or detached second dwelling unit on a one-family lot is not authorized as-of-right. Affordable accessory apartments are addressed through Englewood's Affordable Housing chapter and through the Affordable Housing Overlay Zones Ordinance 23-22, adopted to implement the city's Housing Element and Fair Share Plan under the January 20, 2023 court-approved settlement with the Fair Share Housing Center. Within designated overlay zones, an 'accessory apartment' is defined as a self-contained residential dwelling unit with kitchen, sanitary facilities, sleeping quarters, and a private entrance, created within an existing home, by conversion of an accessory structure, by addition, or by new accessory construction. Outside those overlay zones, homeowners seeking a second unit generally must pursue a use variance under N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d) before the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Pending state legislation (NJ A2792/S1106) would create statewide ADU enabling rules but had not been enacted as of this writing.