West New York, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Auto Repair on Residential Property (2026)

Article IV of Chapter 352 in the Code of the Town of West New York, adopted 10-16-1963 as Ord. No. 914, governs work on automobiles in the public right-of-way. Section 352-15 makes it unlawful for anyone operating an automobile repair shop to use the sidewalks, the street or public highways in front of the shop, or in the vicinity, for dismantling, repairing, painting, parking or storing any motor vehicle or part of one at any time.

Section 352-17, added 10-16-1974 by Ord. No. 1160, reaches individuals as well as shops. It prohibits all persons or entities from dismantling, repairing or servicing motor vehicles on the public streets, whether for commercial or private purposes. The one exception covers emergency repairs or minor adjustments, and even then any dirt, litter, grease, oil, gasoline or other matter must be thoroughly cleaned promptly. A resident who works on a personal car at the curb falls under the private-purposes language. Work on private property is a zoning question, handled in Chapter 414.

In Chapter 414, Note 12 to the schedule in § 414-15 allows auto repair garages only by special exception permit (a conditional use permit) approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment or Planning Board. The conditions: no major repair work, including the painting of auto bodies, in the open; no noise, dust, fumes, odors or other pollutant disseminated beyond the building; and no storage of vehicles on the lot except vehicles stored until repair work is undertaken or after completion until claimed by their owners.

Note 4 separately allows customary home occupations as an accessory use only if carried on entirely within the principal structure by the inhabitants, not exceeding two persons, using no more than 30% of the dwelling unit's total floor area, with no special mechanical equipment beyond what a dwelling unit holds, no display of goods or signs, and no regular truck delivery or pickup activity.