Clifton, NJ Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Chapter 461, Article IV governs bulk and height citywide. Section 461-5 states no building may be erected, reconstructed or altered to exceed "the limit designated for the district," with the numeric ceilings for the base residential districts (R-A1 through R-B3) published in the separate Schedule of Regulations attachment on file with the City Clerk. Where the code itself prints numeric caps is the Planned Residential Community (PRC) Zone District, added under § 461-13S. Subsection (13), "Maximum building height," sets three tiers: townhouses at three stories or 35 feet, flats at three stories or 40 feet, and mid-rise dwellings at six stories or 70 feet, with any building over three stories required to add horizontal and vertical facade relief.

A stricter three-story cap applies to any new building within 100 feet of the Colfax Avenue right-of-way, overriding the general PRC allowance. " Certain rooftop features are exempt from every district's height limit: § 461-13E(2) excludes chimneys, church spires, belfries, standpipes, water towers, flagpoles, monuments, transmission towers and radio or television antennas, while § 461-13E(1) lets penthouses, elevator bulkheads and similar mechanical appurtenances exceed the limit if they cover no more than 25% of the roof area and are not used for sleeping, housekeeping or unrelated commercial purposes.