Hackensack, NJ Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Hackensack, NJ, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Location allowed
- Rear yard only
- Max rear-yard coverage
- 3% of rear yard area
- Setback, sheds ≤100 sq ft
- 3 feet from property line
- Setback, sheds >100 sq ft
- Principal-building setback applies
- Accessory building height cap
- 1.5 stories or 15 feet (residential)
Summary
Hackensack limits tool sheds and similar small structures to the rear yard, caps their footprint at 3% of the rear yard area, and sets a three-foot property-line setback for sheds up to 100 square feet under City Code Section 175-11.3.O.
Tool sheds and other similar structures. ... Tool sheds, dog houses and other small structures shall be permitted as accessory uses, provided said accessory uses are located on the same lot or parcel as the principal use. Tool sheds and other similar structures shall only be provided in the rear yard of the zone lot. Said accessory uses shall not occupy more than 3% of the rear yard area as defined herein. ... Tool sheds or other similar accessory structures up to 100 square feet may not be placed closer than three feet from the property line; larger than 100 square feet must meet the principal-building setback requirements for the zone.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4592721; v20 updated 2026-01-06; through 01-06-2026).
Full Breakdown
O treats tool sheds, dog houses and other small accessory structures as permitted accessory uses only when they sit on the same lot as the principal building and are placed in the rear yard of the lot, never the front or side yard. The rear-yard footprint of all such structures combined cannot exceed 3% of the rear yard area. Sizing then drives the setback: a shed of 100 square feet or less may sit no closer than three feet to the property line, while anything larger than 100 square feet has to meet the same setback the principal building would need in that zone, which is a much larger jump than the flat three-foot rule suggests.
A(1). No portion of a shed may be used as living quarters. A, and an occupancy determination is not required since sheds are not occupied space, but the Chief Building Inspector confirms zoning compliance as part of permitting.
Violations & Fines
A shed placed in violation of the rear-yard, coverage, or setback limits is a zoning violation under Section 175-3.6: a fine of up to $1,250, imprisonment of up to 90 days, or both, on conviction, with continuing daily violations charged separately. The Zoning Officer enforces Chapter 175 and investigates written complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I put a shed on my Hackensack property?
How close to my property line can a shed be?
Do I need a permit for a backyard shed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hackensack
How Hackensack compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Hackensack to another location·View the New Jersey accessory structures overview
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