Perth Amboy, NJ Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Perth Amboy City Code § 430-60(A) sets the design standard for accessory buildings such as sheds and detached garages. Location comes first: a detached accessory building must sit to the rear of the front building line of the principal building, and if it is placed in a side yard area it must conform to the side yard requirements. The rear yard setback is a minimum of five feet, except that residential properties with pools get a minimum of two and one-half feet. No accessory building, other than flag poles, light or sign posts, walks, driveways, patios at ground level and mailboxes, can be erected within any front yard.

Size is capped at two levels. An accessory building in conjunction with a residential dwelling cannot exceed three hundred square feet in gross floor area, and no accessory building within any zone can exceed fifteen feet in height. An accessory building attached to the principal building is treated differently: under § 430-60(A)(1) it must comply in all respects with the yard requirements of the principal building.

On a corner lot, § 430-60(D) requires any principal or accessory building to keep a setback from all street lines equal to the required front yard.

Coverage and permits follow. The definition of accessory use or structure in § 430-5 says the area an accessory building occupies is computed into the building area, and the accessory buildings and main building together cannot exceed the permitted building area. The same section defines a zoning permit as a document signed by the Zoning Officer, required before a use begins or a structure or building is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, converted or installed, confirming compliance with Chapter 430 or an authorized variance.