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Building Setbacks & Zoning in Clifton, NJ (2026)

3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Clifton, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Setback Rules

In Clifton's Planned Residential Community (PRC) Zone District, § 461-13S(11) sets fixed yard setbacks: residential buildings must sit back at least 30 feet from any public street, 25 feet from adjoining residential property lines and 30 feet from adjoining nonresidential lines, plus a 35-foot building-to-building separation for structures three stories or taller.

Clifton PRC Zone Setback Minimums

Some Restrictions

Clifton Code § 461-13S(11)(a)-(b)

(11) Required setbacks. (a) For all permitted residential uses, there shall be a minimum thirty-foot setback required from any public street upon which the residential use has frontage. In addition, all other yards shall be set back a minimum of 25 feet from adjoining residential properties and 30 feet from adjoining nonresidential property lines... (b) There shall be a minimum of 35 feet provi...

Structure Height Limits

Clifton's Planned Residential Community (PRC) Zone District fixes exact height ceilings by building type under City Code § 461-13S(13): townhouses may not exceed three stories or 35 feet, flats top out at three stories or 40 feet, and mid-rise dwellings are capped at six stories or 70 feet. Buildings within 100 feet of the Colfax Avenue right-of-way face a stricter three-story limit.

Clifton PRC Zone Building Height Caps

Some Restrictions

Clifton Code § 461-13S(13)(a), (c)-(e)

(13) Maximum building height. (a) Notwithstanding the permitted residential buildings heights in this section, only three-story maximum building height shall be permitted within 100 feet of the right-of-way of Colfax Avenue. ... (c) All townhouses in the PRC Zone District shall not exceed three stories or 35 feet in height. (d) All flats in the PRC Zone District shall not exceed three stories o...

Lot Coverage Limits

In Clifton's Planned Development No. 1(A) District, § 461-13J(6) caps building lot coverage at 60% of the site, paired with a two-story height ceiling under § 461-13J(7). The limit governs the retail, office and restaurant redevelopment permitted in the PD-1(A) zone alongside the district's other bulk standards.

Clifton PD-1(A) Maximum Lot Coverage

Some Restrictions

Clifton Code § 461-13J(6)-(7)

(6) Maximum lot coverage shall be 60%. (7) Maximum height shall be two stories.

Looking for Passaic County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Clifton city rules.

Building Setbacks & Zoning in Passaic County