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๐Ÿ“ Building Setbacks & Zoning/Structure Height Limits

Garfield vs Ridgewood

How do structure height limits rules compare between Garfield, NJ and Ridgewood, NJ?

Garfield and Ridgewood have similar restriction levels.

Garfield, NJ

Bergen County

Heavy Restrictions

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 โ†’

Ridgewood, NJ

Bergen County

Heavy Restrictions

Ridgewood limits principal residential buildings to thirty feet and two and one-half stories, allowing up to thirty-five feet only when steeper roof pitches and other Section 190-119D requirements are satisfied.

View full Ridgewood rules โ†’

Key Facts Comparison

FactGarfieldRidgewood
AuthorityChapter 341, Article VIII-
District-specific limitsYes-
Variance routeZoning Board of Adjustment-
Reference documentZoning Chart of Requirements-
Standard max-30 feet
Stories-2 1/2 stories
Conditional max-35 feet with 8:12 pitch
Code section-ยง 190-119D

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.

Ridgewood FAQ

How tall can a Ridgewood house be?

Most homes are capped at thirty feet and two and one-half stories. Heights up to thirty-five feet are allowed only when steep-roof pitch and other conditions in Section 190-119D are met.

How does Ridgewood measure building height?

Building height is measured per Chapter 190's definition, generally from average finished grade along the front of the building to the highest point of the roof line.

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