How Garfield Handles Accessory Structures: A Practical Guide

Garfield maintains 64 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with accessory structures. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Garfield falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Shed Rules

Garfield regulates detached accessory buildings such as sheds in residential zones, limiting rear-yard coverage to 30%, requiring three-foot setbacks from side and rear lot lines, and prohibiting placement within 50 feet of the front lot line.

Key details: Side/rear setback: 3 feet minimum. Front lot line: 50-foot minimum distance. Rear yard coverage: 30% maximum aggregate. Permit: Zoning permit required.

Sheds placed in the front yard, exceeding rear-yard coverage limits, or built without required setbacks must be relocated or removed. Building without a zoning permit triggers stop-work orders and municipal court fines.

ADU Rules

Garfield's Zoning Code (Chapter 320, codified on eCode360) regulates accessory buildings under Article IX, but does not contain a dedicated accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance. Two-family conversions and accessory apartments are governed by Chapter 131 (Dwelling and Rooming Units, originally adopted Sept. 1, 1970) and the underlying district use regulations. Authority is delegated to Garfield by the NJ Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq., P.L. 1975 c. 291).

Key details: Authority: Authority: NJ Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq. (P.L. 1975. Local Code: Local code: Garfield Zoning, Article IX — Accessory Buildings and Fences. Detached Accessory Buildings: Detached accessory buildings: up to 30% of rear yard area in R. Setbacks: Setbacks: 3 ft from side/rear lot line; not within 50 ft of. Attached Garage On: Attached garage on undersized lot: up to 14 ft tall, no side-wall.

Building or occupying a habitable accessory unit without zoning approval and a UCC construction permit violates both the Garfield Zoning Code and N.J.A.C. 5:23. Penalties for zoning violations are imposed under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5 — generally up to $2,000 per offense and up to 90 days imprisonment, plus stop-work orders and refusal of a Certificate of Continued Occupancy under Chapter 75 of the Garfield Code. Each day a violation continues may be a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

Garfield's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Garfield is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Garfield can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.