ADU Rules: Englewood vs Fair Lawn
How do adu rules rules compare between Englewood, NJ and Fair Lawn, NJ?
Fair Lawn has fewer restrictions than Englewood.
Englewood, NJ
Bergen County
Englewood does not generally authorize accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as a freestanding permitted use in its one-family residence districts. Chapter 250 (Land Use) of the Englewood Code, adopted under the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.), limits residential zones to one-family dwellings plus accessory buildings/uses with coverage caps. Accessory apartments are addressed only through the city's affordable housing program and overlay zones (Ordinance 23-22 and successor amendments).
View full Englewood rules →Fair Lawn, NJ
Bergen County
Fair Lawn's Land Development Ordinance (Chapter 125, codified on eCode360) does not contain a stand-alone accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance. The R-1-1, R-1-2 and R-1-3 Zones permit only one one-family dwelling per lot with no other principal use; two-family dwellings are permitted only in R-2 (and zones above), and accessory uses must be customarily incidental to the principal use. Authority is delegated to Fair Lawn by the NJ Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq., P.L. 1975 c. 291).
View full Fair Lawn rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Englewood | Fair Lawn |
|---|---|---|
| Local Code | Englewood Code Ch. 250 (Land Use), Part 4 (Zoning) | - |
| Enabling Statute | Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq. | - |
| ADU as Permitted Use | Not generally permitted in one-family R districts | - |
| Accessory Building Coverage Cap | 20% (1-story principal) / 15% (multi-story) | - |
| Affordable Accessory Apartments | Overlay Zones Ordinance 23-22 / Fair Share Plan | - |
| Variance Path | Use variance under N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d) | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Englewood FAQ
Can I build a backyard ADU or in-law suite in Englewood?
Not as-of-right. Englewood's zoning code limits one-family residence districts to a single principal dwelling plus accessory buildings that are not separate dwelling units. To add a second unit you typically must qualify under the city's affordable housing overlay program or obtain a use variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment under N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d).
What's the difference between an accessory building and an accessory dwelling unit here?
Englewood's zoning permits accessory buildings such as detached garages, sheds, and similar structures within coverage limits, but those structures cannot be used as separate dwelling units with their own kitchen and sanitary facilities. A second residential unit, attached or detached, is treated as a second dwelling and requires zoning approval through the affordable housing overlay or a use variance.
Fair Lawn FAQ
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