Stafford Township, NJ Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Section 211-35U of the Stafford Township zoning chapter was added 11-1-1994 by Ord. No. 94-96 and amended 6-24-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44. It says a home occupation can be permitted in those districts specified, subject to conditions lettered (a) through (l) on top of the base definition. The use must be clearly accessory and incidental to the detached single-family principal use of the structure and property, be conducted entirely within the dwelling or accessory building, and be run by members of the immediate family residing in the single-family dwelling plus no more than one employee or family member not residing in the principal dwelling.

The size caps run on floor area. The occupation takes not more than 10% of the total floor area of the residential structure, and the remaining floor area must meet or exceed the minimum habitable floor area requirement of the zone. Inside an accessory building, the area used cannot exceed 10% of the total floor area of the principal dwelling, and all home occupations on one lot together cannot exceed 10% of the floor area of the principal building. Further conditions bar changes to the residential appearance of the property, outdoor storage of equipment or materials, truck deliveries other than parcel delivery services, and any nuisance to adjacent residential properties. Sign and visit limits are covered by their own lettered conditions.

The permit steps sit in § 211-35U(2). Before starting, the operator obtains a zoning permit from the Zoning Officer, valid for one year (twelve months) and renewed annually on satisfactory application. The annual fee follows § 213-1A. Where required, proof of the necessary federal, state or county approvals goes in with the application. A business that generates a waste by-product requiring special disposal must send documentation of utilization, storage and disposal to the Zoning Officer on a quarterly basis, and failure results in immediate revocation of the zoning permit. Nonrecyclable garbage must fit within a garbage receptacle as set forth in § 167-3. Chapter 130 defines a home professional office as a home occupation consisting of the office of a practitioner of a recognized profession.