Structure Height Limits: Garfield vs Paramus
How do structure height limits rules compare between Garfield, NJ and Paramus, NJ?
Paramus has fewer restrictions than Garfield.
Garfield, NJ
Bergen County
Garfield prohibits any building from being erected or structurally altered to exceed the height limit set for its zoning district under Article VIII of the zoning code.
View full Garfield rules →Paramus, NJ
Bergen County
Paramus caps single-family building heights at 2 stories or 20 feet for flat roofs and 2 1/2 stories for pitched roofs (30 to 35 feet depending on zone). The R-AH zone allows 3 stories or 35 feet.
View full Paramus rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Garfield | Paramus |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | Chapter 341, Article VIII | - |
| District-specific limits | Yes | - |
| Variance route | Zoning Board of Adjustment | - |
| Reference document | Zoning Chart of Requirements | - |
| R-75 Pitched | - | 2.5 stories / 30 ft |
| R-100 Pitched | - | 2.5 stories / 32 ft |
| R-150 Pitched | - | 2.5 stories / 35 ft |
| Flat Roof Max | - | 2 stories / 20 ft |
| R-AH Max | - | 3 stories / 35 ft |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Garfield FAQ
How tall can I build in a Garfield residential zone?
Residential height limits are set district by district in the Zoning Chart of Requirements. Most R districts cap principal buildings at two and a half stories or about 35 feet.
Can I exceed the height limit with a variance?
Yes. Property owners may apply to Garfield's Zoning Board of Adjustment for a height variance, which requires a public hearing and proof of hardship or special reasons.
Paramus FAQ
How is building height measured in Paramus?
Height is measured from average finished grade at the building perimeter to the highest point of a flat roof, or to the midpoint between eave and ridge for pitched roofs, per Chapter 429 definitions.
Can I build a 3-story house in a Paramus R-100 zone?
No. R-100 caps homes at 2 1/2 stories or 32 feet for pitched roofs. A true 3-story home requires either an R-AH zone or a use variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
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