ADU Rules: Paramus vs Ridgewood
How do adu rules rules compare between Paramus, NJ and Ridgewood, NJ?
Paramus and Ridgewood have similar restriction levels.
Paramus, NJ
Bergen County
Paramus does not authorize stand-alone accessory dwelling units in its residential zones. Chapter 429 (Zoning) of the Borough Code, governing the R-50, R-75, R-100, R-150 and R-2F residential districts, allows accessory buildings only as uses subordinate and customarily incidental to a permitted principal use, and expressly prohibits living quarters in any accessory building. State authority is the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL), N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.
View full Paramus rules →Ridgewood, NJ
Bergen County
The Village of Ridgewood Zoning Code (Chapter 190, Article X, codified on eCode360) does not contain a stand-alone accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance. Accessory uses customarily incident to permitted principal residential uses are allowed under § 190-118.2E and § 190-124, but a separate dwelling unit is not listed as a permitted accessory use in any R District (R-125, R-110, R-1, R-2, or R-3). Authority is delegated to Ridgewood by the NJ Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq., P.L. 1975 c. 291).
View full Ridgewood rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Paramus | Ridgewood |
|---|---|---|
| Local Authority | Paramus Code Ch. 429 (Zoning) | - |
| State Enabling Law | N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq. (MLUL) | - |
| Living Quarters in Accessory Buildings | Prohibited | - |
| Accessory Building Coverage | Max 60% of main building's land coverage | - |
| Two-Family Use | Allowed only in R-2F zone | - |
| Path to a Second Unit | Use variance under N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d) | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Paramus FAQ
Can I build a backyard ADU or guest cottage in Paramus?
No. Chapter 429 of the Paramus Code prohibits living quarters in any accessory building in residential zones, and there is no separate ADU use category. Adding a second dwelling on a single-family lot generally requires a use variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment under N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d).
Is converting a garage into an apartment allowed?
Not under the current zoning. A converted garage used as a dwelling unit would be living quarters in an accessory building, which is expressly prohibited in Paramus residential zones. Such conversions also violate the Uniform Construction Code without proper permits and use approval.
Ridgewood FAQ
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