How Brick Handles Building Setbacks & Zoning: A Practical Guide

Brick maintains 123 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with building setbacks & zoning. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Brick falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Structure Height Limits

Brick Township defines building height by a 35-foot mean-roof-height cap above grade (or elevation 41 feet NAVD 1988), plus a 26-foot eaves-height limit, the objective ceiling zoning officials use to measure every residential structure townshipwide.

Key details: Max mean building height: 35 feet above grade. Flood-elevation alternate: Elevation 41 feet NAVD 1988. Max eaves height: 26 feet above grade. Near airport runways: capped at 30 feet. Violation penalty: up to $2,000 fine or 90 days.

Building over the mean-height or eaves-height cap without an approved variance can draw a stop-work order, void the certificate of occupancy, and expose the owner to fines up to $2,000 per day under § 1-15.

Setback Rules

Brick Township sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks separately for each zoning district in Chapter 245's Schedule of Area, Yard and Building Requirements, with special waterfront and deck exceptions written into § 245-10.

Key details: Governing section: § 245-10, Schedule of Area, Yard Requirements. Zones covered: R-20 through B-4, all districts. Waterfront accessory cap: 35 feet from any body of water. Deck exemption: Decks exempt from rear/side yard setback. Violation consequence: Certificate of occupancy becomes null and void.

Encroaching on the required yard setback is an unlawful reduction under § 245-11; the certificate of occupancy for the building becomes null and void until the violation is corrected or a variance is granted.

Lot Coverage Limits

Brick Township caps impervious lot coverage, buildings, pavement, walks, and drives, at a maximum percentage set per zoning district in the Code's Schedule of Area, Yard and Building Requirements, enforced through the zoning permit process.

Key details: Governing section: § 245-35, Impervious area requirements. Limit source: Percentage set per zoning district. Covered surfaces: Buildings, pavement, walks, drives, decks. Enforced by: Township Engineer and Zoning Officer. Max penalty: $2,000 fine, 90 days jail.

Building or paving beyond the district's impervious limit without variance relief is a zoning violation under § 245-329, punishable under Chapter 1 § 1-15 by up to $2,000 per day and up to 90 days in jail.

The Bottom Line

Brick's building setbacks & zoning 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 Brick is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Brick's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.