Moving to Brick, NJ?

Brick Township prohibits commercial construction, repair, alteration, and demolition work in residential or commercial zones between 6:00 PM and 7:00 AM. Construction is permitted from 7 AM to 6 PM.

Brick Township prohibits owning, keeping, or harboring any animal that, by frequent or habitual howling, barking, meowing, squawking, or other noisemaking, causes a noise disturbance. This applies to private and public animal facilities including pounds.

Brick Township declares excessive noise a serious hazard to public health. The noise ordinance prohibits construction and commercial activities in residential and commercial zones between 6 PM and 7 AM. Loading and unloading operations are similarly restricted during those hours.

Brick Township Chapter 239 (Short-Term Rentals, Ord. No. 21-20) does not specify a numeric liability-insurance amount that an STR operator must carry. New Jersey state law does not impose a statutory minimum STR liability policy either; instead, N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.12s requires every owner of a non-owner-occupied rental dwelling to maintain liability insurance of at least $500,000 for bodily injury, death, and property damage, and to register that coverage with the municipal clerk. That statewide minimum, not Chapter 239, sets the operative insurance floor for lawful seasonal barrier-island rentals.

Brick Township does not set a numeric guests-per-bedroom cap in Chapter 239 (Short-Term Rentals). Instead, the Construction Code Official establishes the occupancy limit on the rental Certificate of Occupancy issued under Chapter 169 (Housing Standards) before any rental begins, applying the New Jersey State Housing Code (N.J.A.C. 5:28) minimum sleeping-room and habitable-space standards. Because Chapter 239 (Ord. No. 21-20, Nov. 10, 2020) bans rentals under 30 days off the barrier island and limits barrier-island rentals to a 7-day minimum during May 15 - October 15, occupancy figures only apply to lawful seasonal rentals.

Short-term rental tenants on the barrier island must comply with Brick Township's general noise ordinance. Construction and loading activities are prohibited between 6 PM and 7 AM. Property owners bear responsibility for tenant conduct.

Brick Township charges a $250 annual business license fee for short-term rental operators. NJ sales tax of 6.625% applies to transient accommodations. Municipalities may impose an additional occupancy tax of up to 3% under N.J.S.A. 40:48F-1.

STR tenants must comply with Brick Township's general parking rules. Parking on front lawns is prohibited. Unregistered vehicles may not be parked on residential property outside an enclosed garage. Trailers and RVs have specific restrictions in residential zones.

Brick Township adopted Ordinance No. 21-20 in November 2020 banning short-term rentals under 30 days, with a barrier island exception allowing minimum 7-day rentals from May 15 through October 15. Registration with the Township Clerk and a $250/year business license are required.

Consumer fireworks are illegal in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 21:3-1. Only hand-held sparklers, ground-based sparklers, smoke devices, and novelty items are legal since 2017 for persons 16 and older. Brick Township enforces through the Bureau of Fire Safety.

All open burning is prohibited in Brick Township except as approved by the Bureau of Fire Safety. The township adopts the NJ Uniform Fire Code (N.J.A.C. 5:70) enforced by the Joint Board of Fire Commissioners. Violations may carry fines up to $5,000.

Recreational fires and fire pits in Brick Township are regulated under the NJ Uniform Fire Code. Permanent fire pits require a permit. Recreational fires must not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. Fires can be ordered extinguished if they cause smoke complaints.

Brick Township does not have a township-wide overnight street parking ban, making its rules relatively tame compared to many NJ municipalities. Specific streets have no-parking and time-limited restrictions under Chapter 288. Front lawn parking is prohibited.

Brick Township prohibits trailers, semitrailers, and truck tractors from being stored on residential properties in all R-zones. Commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVW may not idle for more than 3 minutes per hour in residential areas.

Brick Township prohibits trailers, semitrailers, and truck tractors from being stored on residential zone properties (R-R through R-M). Recreational vehicles and watercraft on trailers may park on residential property for up to 36 hours on the same street or adjacent property, with certain exemptions.

Brick Township prohibits parking on front lawns under Section 267-8. All vehicles must be parked on designated hard surfaces. Driveways must comply with the impervious coverage requirements of the applicable zoning district under Chapter 245.

New Jersey has no statutory cost-sharing requirement for boundary fences. In Brick Township, fence placement must comply with setback requirements. Boundary disputes are civil matters between neighbors.

Brick Township regulates fence heights through Chapter 245 (Land Use). In the R-M Multifamily Zone, patio/deck fences cannot exceed 5 feet. At street intersections, no fence over 3 feet is permitted within the sight triangle (30 feet from the intersection).

Brick Township requires a zoning permit for fence construction. The Zoning Officer reviews all applications. Prior approvals may include engineering or environmental permits depending on the property's location and conditions.

Brick Township regulates the keeping and housing of animals by class. Beekeeping (Class V animals) is limited to no more than 25 animals per property, kept in a covered enclosure within zoning setback lines, with size approved by the Animal Control Officer.

Brick Township does not have breed-specific legislation. New Jersey follows a behavior-based approach under the Vicious and Potentially Dangerous Dog Act (N.J.S.A. 4:19-17 et seq.). Individual dogs are classified based on actions, not breed.

Brick Township requires all dogs to be leashed and under owner control when off the owner's property. All dogs must be licensed per NJ state law. The township contracts with an Animal Control provider for enforcement.

Brick Township prohibits all Class I animals. Class II, III, and V animals require sheltered buildings and fully enclosed corrals. Class II and III animal housing must be at least 100 feet from property lines on parcels of 5+ acres. NJ state permits required for most exotics.

Brick Township requires weeds and grass not to exceed 10 inches in height. The property maintenance ordinance (Chapter 331) is enforced by Code Enforcement. Violations are generally complaint-driven.

Brick Township has a Shade Tree Commission (Chapter 64) that oversees public tree care. Property owners are responsible for maintaining trees on their property. The township provides tree and landscape services through its Department of Public Works.

Water use restrictions in Brick Township are primarily governed by NJDEP at the state level. The Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority manages the local water supply. Mandatory restrictions may be imposed during drought emergencies declared by the Governor.

Brick Township regulates tree removal through its land use and property maintenance codes. Tree removal on residential property generally requires verification with the Zoning Office. The Shade Tree Commission oversees public tree removal and replacement.

Home occupations in Brick Township must not generate customer traffic inconsistent with the residential character of the neighborhood. Businesses requiring regular client visits generally do not qualify as permitted home occupations.

Brick Township permits home occupations in certain residential zones as accessory or conditional uses under Chapter 245. The business must be subordinate to the residential use and comply with all district requirements. The Zoning Officer reviews applications.

Brick Township regulates all signage under Chapter 245. Home occupations in residential zones are generally not permitted to display exterior business signage. Zoning and/or UCC permits are required for any exterior sign.

Brick Township requires all swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high per the NJ UCC (N.J.A.C. 5:23). The local code adds that fences must be at least 6 feet from the pool water's edge. Pool barriers must be permanent, non-climbable, with self-closing, self-latching gates.

Brick Township requires building permits for swimming pools, with final engineering inspection before certificate of occupancy. In-ground pools are prohibited in front yards. Ground cover disturbed by construction must be restored to the Municipal Engineer's satisfaction.

Above-ground pools in Brick Township must meet the same area, yard, and building requirements as accessory structures. Building and zoning permits are required. The 48-inch barrier requirement applies to all pool types.

Brick Township does not separately list 'carport' as a permitted accessory use in Chapter 245 (Land Use); a carport is treated as an accessory structure subject to the same setback, height, and lot-coverage rules as detached garages and other accessory buildings. Following the Council's March 2023 amendments, accessory structures in single-family residential zones are limited to 12 feet in height and must sit behind the front line of the principal building, with side and rear yard setbacks tied to the structure's footprint and the underlying zone's Schedule of Area, Yard and Building Requirements (Section 245-10).

Brick Township does not have a specific ADU ordinance. New Jersey lacks a statewide ADU mandate. Single-family zones typically do not permit second dwelling units. A use variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment would likely be required.

Brick Township limits storage sheds to 12 feet in height in single-family residential zones. Sheds up to 100 sq ft must be set back at least half their height from side/rear lines. Sheds over 100 sq ft must meet full zone setback requirements.

Converting a garage to living space in Brick Township may require a zoning variance if it eliminates required off-street parking. Building permits are required for all structural changes. The Zoning Board of Adjustment reviews variance applications.

Over 10,000 of Brick Township's 45,000 structures are within FEMA flood hazard areas. The township participates in the CRS program, providing residents a 20% discount on flood insurance premiums. Brick successfully appealed FEMA to remove 50+ structures from V-zone designation.