Structure Height Limits: Paramus vs Ridgewood
How do structure height limits rules compare between Paramus, NJ and Ridgewood, NJ?
Paramus has fewer restrictions than Ridgewood.
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 →Ridgewood, NJ
Bergen County
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 →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Paramus | Ridgewood |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Standard max | - | 30 feet |
| Stories | - | 2 1/2 stories |
| Conditional max | - | 35 feet with 8:12 pitch |
| Code section | - | § 190-119D |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
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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