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

East Orange's residential height limits are set in the bulk table attached to each district and layered with a citywide exception for rooftop equipment. In the R-1 District, Table 51-92.A limits new construction to two-and-a-half stories or 35 feet. The R-2 District allows three stories or 35 feet for standard dwellings and townhouses, and the R-3 District allows three stories or 35 feet for one-, two- and three-family homes and townhouses, rising to five stories or 60 feet for multifamily structures. Section 51-88 then layers on an additional-height allowance that applies across all zoning districts: chimneys, cooling towers, elevator bulkheads, fire towers, gas tanks, solariums, steeples, penthouses, stacks, stage towers, water towers and similar mechanical appurtenances may be erected above the applicable height limit, but no tower other than a church steeple or the tower of a public building may exceed the district's height limitation by more than 10%.

These features can never be used as a place of habitation or for tenant purposes, and no sign or advertising device may be attached to a chimney, tower or tank that extends above the height limit. Roof-mounted appurtenances other than church steeples must be set back from the roof edge one foot for every foot they rise above the roofline, and on through lots deeper than 120 feet, height is measured only to a depth of 120 feet from whichever street permits the greater height.