ADU rules in Passaic County, NJ — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Passaic County does not zone land, so it has no accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules. Whether you can build an in-law suite or backyard unit is decided by your borough, township, or city under New Jersey's Municipal Land Use Law. Check your municipal zoning ordinance.
Under the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL), N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq., zoning power is delegated to municipalities, not counties. Each of Passaic County's 16 municipalities (Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, Wayne, West Milford, Hawthorne, Ringwood, and others) sets its own rules on accessory dwelling units, size, setbacks, and permitted zones. The Passaic County Planning Board reviews subdivisions and site plans only where they affect county roads or county drainage (N.J.S.A. 40:27-6.2). For ADU approval you apply to your municipal zoning or land-use board, not the county.
Building an unpermitted ADU is a municipal zoning violation enforced by your local code/zoning officer; penalties, stop-work orders, and fines are set by municipal ordinance.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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