Hackensack vs Ridgewood
How do lot coverage limits rules compare between Hackensack, NJ and Ridgewood, NJ?
Hackensack has fewer restrictions than Ridgewood.
Hackensack, NJ
Bergen County
Hackensack regulates the percentage of a lot covered by buildings and impervious surfaces to manage stormwater and neighborhood character. Residential districts typically permit 30-40% building coverage, with higher allowances for total impervious coverage including driveways and patios.
View full Hackensack rules →Ridgewood, NJ
Bergen County
Ridgewood limits total above-grade structure coverage to twenty percent of the lot in residential zones, with an additional twenty percent cap on the area within two hundred feet of the front lot line.
View full Ridgewood rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Hackensack | Ridgewood |
|---|---|---|
| Building coverage | 30-40% residential | - |
| Impervious coverage | 50-70% typical | - |
| Includes | Driveways, patios, pools | House, garage, structures |
| Stormwater | NJ rules may apply | - |
| Variance | Zoning Board approval | - |
| Total coverage | - | 20% of lot |
| Front 200 feet | - | 20% of that area |
| Code source | - | Chapter 190 bulk table |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Hackensack FAQ
What counts toward lot coverage in Hackensack?
Building coverage counts only structures with roofs. Impervious coverage adds driveways, walkways, patios, decks, and pool decks. Both metrics have separate limits in zoning.
Can I add a patio if I'm at the lot coverage limit in Hackensack?
Not without a variance or removing other impervious surfaces. Pervious paving alternatives may also be considered, depending on local zoning interpretation.
Ridgewood FAQ
How much of my Ridgewood lot can be covered by buildings?
Above-grade structures may cover up to twenty percent of the lot. A separate twenty percent cap applies to the area within two hundred feet of the front lot line.
Does a deck or patio count toward Ridgewood lot coverage?
Above-grade decks and similar structures generally count toward coverage. At-grade patios and walkways are usually treated separately under impervious surface rules; confirm with the Zoning Officer.
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