Howell, NJ Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Accessory setback, lots under 10,000 sq ft
- Five feet
- Accessory setback, lots over 10,000 sq ft
- Equal to the structure's height
- Zero foot shed
- 120 square feet or less and eight feet or less in height
- Shed cap
- Two sheds per property get the reduced setback
- R-25 principal yards
- Front 25 feet, side six feet, rear 25 feet
- Front yard
- Accessory structures barred except listed items
- Maximum fine
- $1,500 under § 188-171(B)
Summary
In Howell Township, an accessory structure in a residential zone sits five feet from the lot line on lots under 10,000 square feet and a distance equal to its height on larger lots. A storage shed of 120 square feet or less and eight feet tall or less gets a zero foot setback to rear and side lines, limited to two per property.
C. Setbacks for accessory structures shall be five feet on lots less than 10,000 square feet and equivalent to the height for lots larger than 10,000 feet in all residential zones. However, sheds that are: specifically designed to be and are in fact used for the storage of residential materials; 120 square feet or less; and eight feet in height or less will be permitted with a zero foot setback to rear and side property lines. The setback will be measured from the wall of the shed, edge of foundation/gravel bed, roof overhang or any other attached appurtenance, whichever is the greatest expanse of footprint. Only sheds meeting all three of the criteria above shall be eligible for reduced setback. Only two residential storage sheds per property will be permitted with the reduced setback. Any additional structures will have to meet the general accessory structure setback. Any shed greater than 120 square feet in size or that is taller than eight feet in height will be required to meet the general accessory structure setback.
Full Breakdown
Section 188-11(C) of the Howell Township Code sets the yard rule for accessory structures in all residential zones: five feet on lots less than 10,000 square feet, and a setback equal to the structure's height on lots larger than 10,000 feet. The zero foot shed exception requires all three of its conditions: the shed is designed for and used for storage of residential materials, it is 120 square feet or less, and it is eight feet in height or less. Setbacks are measured from the wall, edge of foundation or gravel bed, roof overhang or any attached appurtenance, whichever gives the greatest footprint. Only two residential storage sheds per property get the reduced setback, and pool cabanas are excluded by § 188-11(D)(9).
Other limits in § 188-11: an accessory building attached to the principal building is part of it and follows the principal building's yard requirements, with an exception for open-air rear roof extensions, which meet deck setbacks under § 188-15 if they are open on three sides, stay within the side walls and stay out of the front yard setback. No accessory structure goes in a front yard except flag poles, light or signposts, walks, driveways, patios at ground level, mail boxes and septic tanks. No building permit issues for an accessory building before the principal building permit.
Principal-building yards are set zone by zone. In the R-25 Zone, § 188-73.1(E) prints a minimum front yard setback of 25 feet, side yard setback of six feet and rear yard setback of 25 feet. Residential lots carved out under the farmland preservation option in § 188-69(D)(6)(d) need a 50-foot front yard, a 40-foot rear yard and a 30-foot side yard. On corner lots, § 188-54 treats every yard abutting a street as a front yard, and § 188-37 requires the setback from each street of a through lot to be no less than the required front yard. Flag lots under § 188-55 need a 75-foot building setback from any lot line. The bulk tables for the ARE zones live in Schedule III, an attachment to Chapter 188.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 188 is enforced by the Land Use Officer, the Construction Official, the Zoning Inspector or the Code Enforcement Officer under § 188-169. Under § 188-171(B), a violation carries a fine of not more than $1,500 or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days, or both, in the court's discretion, and each day the violation continues is a separate violation. An accessory building permit can be revoked if construction of the principal building does not precede or coincide with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far from the property line does a backyard shed sit in Howell Township?
Does a pool cabana get the zero foot shed setback?
Can a shed go in a front yard in Howell Township?
What yard setbacks apply to a new house in the R-25 Zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Howell
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Setback Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle setback rules.