Structure Height Limits: Mahwah vs Paramus
How do structure height limits rules compare between Mahwah, NJ and Paramus, NJ?
Paramus has fewer restrictions than Mahwah.
Mahwah, NJ
Bergen County
Mahwah caps building height by zoning district under Chapter 24, with garden apartments limited to 2.5 stories or 35 feet maximum.
View full Mahwah 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 | Mahwah | Paramus |
|---|---|---|
| Garden apartment max | 2.5 stories or 35 feet | - |
| Parapet allowance | 4 feet over limit | - |
| Exempt features | Spires chimneys flagpoles | - |
| Reference document | Area Bulk Yard Schedule | - |
| 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.
Mahwah FAQ
Are chimneys and rooftop equipment counted toward height?
No. Mahwah excludes chimneys, spires, cupolas, flagpoles, water towers, and necessary mechanical appurtenances from district height limits.
How tall can a garden apartment building be?
Garden apartments in Mahwah cannot exceed two and one-half stories or 35 feet, whichever is less, under the township's zoning ordinance.
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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