Stafford Township, NJ Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

Section 211-16F sets two separate coverage ceilings for the Rural Residential Zone (RA) in Stafford Township. Subsection F(11) limits the maximum percent of building coverage to 10%. Subsection F(12) limits the maximum percent of impervious surface coverage on any lot to 25%, and that allowance increases to 30% upon the installation of dry wells for roof runoff in accordance with the standards delineated with § 130-72E. Chapter 130 defines BUILDING COVERAGE as the percentage of the lot area covered by the building area, which includes the total horizontal area when viewed in plan. It defines impervious surface coverage as the percentage of the total area of the lot or tract, after deduction for natural tidal and nontidal bodies of water, wetlands or other state or federally regulated nonbuildable lands, which is covered so that stormwater runoff is not absorbed by the ground.

Other residential zones print different ceilings. The RA-4 Zone sets building coverage at 4% and impervious coverage at 8%, rising to 11% with dry wells. The RA-5 Zone sets 3% and 6%, rising to 9%. The R-2 Zone sets building lot coverage at 20% and impervious coverage at 30%, rising to 35% with dry wells for all roof runoff, and the R-3 Zone sets 30% and 45%, rising to 50%.

The Forest Area Zone (FA) is stricter for low-intensity recreational uses: no more than 1% of the parcel can be covered by impervious surfaces under § 211-10F(5).

A zoning permit is required under § 213-1A not only before constructing a building or structure but also before constructing any improvements or ground coverings which increase impervious surface coverage upon a lot, so a new driveway, patio or similar surface goes through the Zoning Officer before it is built.