Tiny home rules in Jersey City, NJ — covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds — determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Jersey City has no tiny home ordinance. Permanent tiny homes must meet the NJ UCC (N.J.A.C. 5:23) and Chapter 345 zoning. Tiny homes on wheels are treated as recreational vehicles and cannot be lived in full time.
Jersey City does not have a dedicated tiny home zoning category. Under the Jersey City Land Development Ordinance (Chapter 345), any permanent dwelling must meet minimum habitable space, dimensional, and zoning standards. The New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23) applies, including 2018 IRC Appendix Q/AQ tiny house standards when adopted for homes 400 square feet or less. All permanent tiny homes require standard foundations, sanitary connections to Jersey City sewer, and permits for plumbing, electrical, and building. A tiny home as a detached accessory dwelling on a single family lot faces the same lot coverage, setback, and parking requirements as any other ADU under Chapter 345, which in the dense Jersey City lot grid makes detached tiny ADUs difficult. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are classified as recreational vehicles under NJ law and cannot be used as permanent dwellings. Storage or long term parking of a THOW on a residential lot is prohibited.
Occupying a tiny home without a certificate of occupancy is a UCC violation up to 2000 dollars per day. Tiny homes on wheels used as permanent dwellings can trigger zoning and property maintenance citations and eviction of the occupant.
Jersey City, NJ
Jersey City has no city ordinance regulating year-round lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single- and two-family properties with private yar...
Jersey City, NJ
Jersey City has no zoning, building, or sign-code rule specifically targeting residential inflatable holiday displays. Chapter 345 sign provisions exempt sea...
Jersey City, NJ
Jersey City has no ordinance restricting when residents may install or must remove holiday lights. Code Ch. 345 sign provisions exempt seasonal decorations f...
Jersey City, NJ
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Jersey City require permits for gas lines, electrical, plumbing, and any roofed structure under the New Jersey Uniform Construct...
Jersey City, NJ
Jersey City has no ordinance specifically targeting backyard smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens at single- or two-family homes. General nuisance aut...
Jersey City, NJ
Jersey City enforces the NJ Uniform Fire Code (N.J.A.C. 5:70), which adopts IFC Section 308. NJFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices on combustible...
See how Jersey City's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.