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Fire Regulations in New Jersey (2026)

140 rules on the books across New Jersey, 47 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.

Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

Rules for fire pits, chimineas, and recreational backyard fires, setback distances from structures, size and fuel limits, attendance requirements, and burn-ban days.

Jersey City

Heavy Restrictions

Jersey City's zoning code bans open burning outright: 'No open burning shall be permitted in any district,' with no…

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Bergen County

Significant Restrictions

Open fires anywhere in the Bergen County Parks System are confined to spots the county has set up for that purpose, and…

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Burlington County

Significant Restrictions

Burlington County limits open flame in its parks to spots the county itself sets up for that purpose. Rule 29 of the…

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Camden County

Significant Restrictions

Camden County requires a permit before anyone lights a bonfire, campfire, or firework display on county park land…

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Howell

Significant Restrictions

In Howell Township, New Jersey, every mobile home park owner must write into the park regulations that open fires and…

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Old Bridge

Significant Restrictions

Old Bridge Township's Fire Prevention Code bans open burning of rubbish or combustible waste outside approved…

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Atlantic County

Some Restrictions

Backyard recreational fire pits are legal across Atlantic County, but the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code keeps a…

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Bloomfield

Some Restrictions

In Bloomfield Township, New Jersey, a backyard fire pit is allowed without a permit if the fire stays within a…

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Brick

Some Restrictions

Brick Township bans open burning outright but allows recreational fires with a Fire Safety Bureau permit, $25 covers up…

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Cherry Hill

Some Restrictions

Cherry Hill Township allows recreational outdoor fires only in an approved fire pit, chiminea or outdoor fireplace no…

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Clifton

Some Restrictions

Clifton allows backyard fire pits, chimineas and outdoor fireplaces without a permit, but caps them at three feet…

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Elizabeth

Some Restrictions

Elizabeth's fire prevention code requires any permitted outdoor cooking or barbecue fire to be kindled in a proper…

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Freehold Township

Some Restrictions

Freehold Township caps backyard fire pits, chimineas and outdoor fireplaces at a three-foot diameter and two-foot…

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Hamilton

Some Restrictions

Hamilton Township allows residential fire pits, but Township Code § 317-10 requires wood-burning pits to use a screened…

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Jackson

Some Restrictions

Jackson Township lets residents burn a recreational fire only inside a contained pit, outdoor fireplace or barbecue…

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Mercer County

Some Restrictions

Building, lighting or maintaining a fire in a Mercer County park is barred except in a camp stove or a fireplace the…

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Morris County

Some Restrictions

Small contained recreational fires are generally allowed, but any fire within or near a forested area needs a free NJ…

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Paterson

Some Restrictions

Paterson's zoning code lets homeowners keep an outdoor fireplace in a side or rear yard, but it must sit at least 3…

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Ridgewood

Some Restrictions

Ridgewood zoning names fire pits directly among the residential deck and patio improvements that must stay out of the…

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Somerset County

Some Restrictions

Somerset County Park Commission regulations allow fires only in places marked by signage, and every fire must sit at…

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Piscataway

Few Restrictions

Piscataway Township exempts a fire set within an outdoor fireplace, or a metal, ceramic, or other approved lined fire…

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Fireworks

Which types of consumer fireworks are legal, when they can be used, and the fines for setting off illegal fireworks.

New Jersey: statewide

StatewideHeavy Restrictions

New Jersey statute permits only non-aerial, non-explosive sparklers and novelties for adult consumers; aerial fireworks…

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Burlington County

Heavy Restrictions

Burlington County bans fireworks outright on every Parks System property. Rule 30 of the Parks System Rules and…

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Clifton

Heavy Restrictions

Clifton bars anyone from possessing, igniting or throwing firecrackers, fireworks, explosives or other flammable…

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East Orange

Heavy Restrictions

The City of East Orange bans the sale, use and possession of fireworks anywhere in the city unless the Public Safety…

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Essex County

Heavy Restrictions

Consumer fireworks are banned statewide across Essex County under New Jersey law. A 2017 amendment legalized only…

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Freehold Township

Heavy Restrictions

Freehold Township Code Section 232-1M bans manufacturing, selling, transporting or using any fireworks that New Jersey…

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Hackensack

Heavy Restrictions

Hackensack bans igniting or exploding any fireworks or other explosive substance anywhere in the city unless the Fire…

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Hamilton

Heavy Restrictions

Hamilton Township bans discharging fireworks and dangerous fireworks anywhere in the municipality, on private property…

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Hoboken

Heavy Restrictions

In the City of Hoboken, Code § 101-24A bans possessing, selling or exploding fireworks anywhere in the city under…

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Long Branch

Heavy Restrictions

Long Branch bans possessing, setting off, exploding, discharging or burning any firecracker, torpedo, rocket or other…

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Newark

Heavy Restrictions

Fireworks are banned in Newark under Chapter 11:3, which incorporates New Jersey's statutory ban at N.J.S.A. 21:3-2…

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Old Bridge

Heavy Restrictions

Old Bridge Township bans the sale, possession, or use of firecrackers, sparklers, skyrockets, Roman candles and other…

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Parsippany Troy Hills

Heavy Restrictions

In the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, § 430-86 strictly prohibits the manufacture, storage and sale of ammunition…

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Perth Amboy

Heavy Restrictions

In the City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, no person, firm or corporation can sell, use or possess fireworks. Chapter 230…

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Plainfield

Heavy Restrictions

In the City of Plainfield, New Jersey, § 10:9-5 of the Plainfield Municipal Code bans selling, possessing, using or…

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West New York

Heavy Restrictions

In the Town of West New York, New Jersey (Hudson County), selling or offering fireworks of any kind is prohibited, and…

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Bayonne

Significant Restrictions

In the City of Bayonne, anyone planning a fireworks display or discharge must apply in writing at least 45 days in…

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Bloomfield

Significant Restrictions

In Bloomfield Township, § 245-1 prohibits anyone from possessing, using or selling fireworks within the Township except…

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Brick

Significant Restrictions

Brick Township bans possessing, igniting or throwing firecrackers, rockets or other fireworks in any township park…

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Cherry Hill

Significant Restrictions

Cherry Hill Township bans possessing, exploding or discharging firecrackers, torpedoes, rockets or other fireworks in…

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East Brunswick

Significant Restrictions

In East Brunswick Township, New Jersey, no one can conduct a fireworks display without a permit from the Township…

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Edison

Significant Restrictions

Edison Township requires a Township Council-approved permit before anyone may display or discharge fireworks…

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Elizabeth

Significant Restrictions

Elizabeth allows only permitted seasonal sale of state-approved sparkling devices and novelties, sold from temporary…

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Irvington

Significant Restrictions

Township Code Section 439-36E bans most fireworks outright but allows handheld sparklers, snakes, glow worms, smoke…

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Jersey City

Significant Restrictions

Storing or discharging fireworks anywhere in Jersey City requires a Type 3 Fire Prevention Permit. Section 3-88.6.A…

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Linden

Significant Restrictions

Linden bans selling, possessing, using or discharging fireworks without a permit, though anyone 16 or older may buy and…

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Paterson

Significant Restrictions

Paterson's parks ordinance bars discharging or carrying fireworks, firecrackers, torpedoes, or firearms in any city…

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Trenton

Significant Restrictions

Trenton allows only state-permitted novelty fireworks under N.J.S.A. 21:3-2 and bans discharge on streets, sidewalks…

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Vineland

Significant Restrictions

In the City of Vineland, discharging, selling or displaying fireworks at a public event on private property requires a…

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Wayne

Significant Restrictions

In Wayne Township, NJ, it is unlawful to ignite, display, possess or use pyrotechnics, sparklers and smoke/fog machines…

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Galloway Township

Some Restrictions

New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 21:3-2) lets Galloway residents 16+ use only ground-based and handheld sparkling devices…

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Howell

Some Restrictions

In Howell Township, New Jersey, fireworks are strictly prohibited at all farm-related special events (small scale), the…

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Morris County

Some Restrictions

Consumer aerial fireworks and firecrackers are illegal statewide. Since 2017, only hand-held or ground-based sparkling…

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Woodbridge

Some Restrictions

Woodbridge's Noise Code bars setting off fireworks, pyrotechnics or other explosive devices between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m…

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Piscataway

Light Restrictions

Piscataway Township's open-burning ordinance bans outdoor burning of any material townshipwide, but Section 10-12.1…

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Outdoor Burning

Rules for open flames outdoors including bonfires, yard waste burning, and cooking fires. Some cities ban all outdoor burning year-round.

New Jersey: statewide

StatewideHeavy Restrictions

New Jersey's Air Pollution Control Act prohibits open burning of refuse, leaves, and most yard waste statewide, with…

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Atlantic County

Heavy Restrictions

Open burning is generally prohibited across Atlantic County under N.J.A.C. 7:27-2.3. No one may dispose of refuse…

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Clifton

Heavy Restrictions

Clifton Code § 127-2 bars anyone from burning refuse, garbage, yard trimmings or other waste in the open, and…

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East Brunswick

Heavy Restrictions

In East Brunswick Township, New Jersey, open burning for any reason is prohibited unless permits have been obtained…

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East Orange

Heavy Restrictions

In the City of East Orange, Chapter 94 bans open burning outright: no one may run a salvage operation by open burning…

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Edison

Heavy Restrictions

Edison Township prohibits open burning of refuse or plant life, and bans salvage operations conducted by open burning…

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Essex County

Heavy Restrictions

Essex County bans building fires anywhere in a county park except in areas the Director specifically designates and…

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Hackensack

Heavy Restrictions

Hackensack's air pollution code bans open burning of trash, salvage materials, buildings, and plant life anywhere in…

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Hamilton

Heavy Restrictions

Hamilton Township bans open burning outright: no salvage-operation fires, no burning of rubbish, garbage or trade…

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Hoboken

Heavy Restrictions

In the City of Hoboken, burning litter in any open place, whether public or private, or in any outdoor fireplace or…

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Howell

Heavy Restrictions

In Howell Township, § 86-3 bars open burning of any garbage, rubbish or trade waste, any fallen leaves and plant life…

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Irvington

Heavy Restrictions

Irvington's zoning code bans open burning outright. Township Code § 650-57.C(3), part of the industrial performance…

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Jersey City

Heavy Restrictions

Setting fire to or burning refuse, rubbish or other waste anywhere in Jersey City is flatly unlawful under § 287-17…

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Linden

Heavy Restrictions

Linden prohibits open dumps and the open burning of refuse in every district. City Code Section 31-20.12 requires…

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Monroe Township Middlesex

Heavy Restrictions

Monroe Township, Middlesex County, prohibits open burning in every zone under the air pollution performance standards…

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Newark

Heavy Restrictions

Newark Code § 16:21-24 bans open burning of refuse and plant life citywide, with no permit path around it. The Air…

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Old Bridge

Heavy Restrictions

Old Bridge Township bans open burning of rubbish, garbage, trade waste, buildings, structures and plant life, plus…

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Paterson

Heavy Restrictions

Paterson's fire code prohibits open burning of refuse, plant life, or salvage material anywhere in the city, with only…

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Perth Amboy

Heavy Restrictions

In the City of Perth Amboy, no person can cause, suffer or permit open burning of refuse or plant life, run a salvage…

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Plainfield

Heavy Restrictions

Open burning of refuse or plant life is prohibited in the City of Plainfield, New Jersey, under § 8:3-4 of the Air…

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Ridgewood

Heavy Restrictions

Village of Ridgewood Code § 223-63 prohibits open fires anywhere in the Village unless the Fire Official has…

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Trenton

Heavy Restrictions

Trenton bans open burning of refuse and salvage operations anywhere within city limits, along with using open fires to…

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West New York

Heavy Restrictions

In the Town of West New York, Hudson County, New Jersey, open burning is unlawful at any location in town under §…

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Bergen County

Significant Restrictions

Starting or maintaining any fire in a Bergen County park is banned except in places the county has set up for that…

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Bloomfield

Significant Restrictions

Bloomfield Township, New Jersey allows recreational fires in approved UL containers without a permit, capped at a…

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Brick

Significant Restrictions

Open burning is banned in Brick Township unless the Bureau of Fire Safety approves it, and even permitted recreational…

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Elizabeth

Significant Restrictions

Elizabeth prohibits open burning of refuse, garbage, rubbish, plant life and trade waste citywide. Trade waste can only…

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Jackson

Significant Restrictions

Jackson Township bars kindling or maintaining any open burning unless it complies with the New Jersey Uniform Fire…

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Lakewood

Significant Restrictions

Township Code § 3-27 bans open burning on any public property in Lakewood at any time, citing air-quality and…

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Long Branch

Significant Restrictions

Long Branch bans burning rubbish outside approved incinerators and prohibits burning herbaceous or agricultural plant…

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Passaic County

Significant Restrictions

New Jersey counties don't set neighborhood burn rules, that's municipal, but on its own park land Passaic County bans…

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Piscataway

Significant Restrictions

Piscataway Township bans burning any solid or liquid material outdoors, including household waste, under Code §…

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Toms River

Significant Restrictions

Toms River Township bans open burning of trash, lumber, leaves, straw, brush, trees or any other combustible material…

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Wayne

Significant Restrictions

In Wayne Township, NJ, open burning of refuse or plant life, or a salvage operation by open burning, is a declared…

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Freehold Township

Some Restrictions

Freehold Township allows permit-free open burning of firewood at single-family homes, duplexes and townhomes, but only…

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Morris County

Some Restrictions

Open burning of leaves, rubbish and garbage is banned statewide under N.J.A.C. 7:27-2. Limited exceptions require a…

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Woodbridge

Some Restrictions

Woodbridge allows open burning of firewood without a permit at single-family homes, duplexes and townhomes only inside…

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Wildfire Zones

Special building and landscaping requirements for properties located in designated wildfire hazard areas or fire severity zones.

Smoke Detectors

Requirements for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in homes, including how many you need and where they must be installed.

Jackson

Heavy Restrictions

Jackson Township requires an approved, Uniform Construction Code smoke detector system in every individual unit of a…

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Bloomfield

Significant Restrictions

In Bloomfield Township, every device required under the Uniform Fire Code must be installed, and no owner can sell…

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Howell

Significant Restrictions

In Howell Township, no one- or two-family or attached single-family dwelling can be sold, re-sold, leased or newly…

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Brick

Some Restrictions

Brick Township requires a certificate of smoke detector compliance before selling any one- or two-family residential…

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Cherry Hill

Some Restrictions

Cherry Hill Township's Fire Prevention Code requires listed smoke detectors in every hotel and multiple dwelling…

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Clifton

Some Restrictions

Every dwelling unit in Clifton must have a working smoke detector meeting New Jersey Uniform Fire Code standards, and…

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East Brunswick

Some Restrictions

In East Brunswick Township, New Jersey, inspections and certificates for smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and…

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East Orange

Some Restrictions

The City of East Orange requires every residential dwelling unit to have an operating automatic smoke-detecting device…

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Edison

Some Restrictions

Edison Township requires a smoke detector on every floor of a dwelling unit, including the basement, plus one within 10…

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Freehold Township

Some Restrictions

Freehold Township requires a UL-listed smoke detector in every guest room, hotel suite, motel suite and apartment…

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Galloway Township

Some Restrictions

Under NJ Uniform Fire Code N.J.A.C. 5:70-4.19, Galloway homes must have smoke alarms on each level and outside each…

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Hackensack

Some Restrictions

Hackensack requires smoke alarms outside every sleeping area, in each room used for sleeping, and on every story of a…

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Hamilton

Some Restrictions

Hamilton requires a smoke detector on every level of a dwelling, including the basement, installed as the manufacturer…

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Hoboken

Some Restrictions

Hoboken required every existing multiple dwelling with four or more units to install an approved smoke detection system…

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Irvington

Some Restrictions

Irvington will not issue the certificate of habitability every rental unit needs before occupancy if the dwelling has a…

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Jersey City

Some Restrictions

Every change of occupancy in Jersey City needs a Certificate of Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Compliance…

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Lakewood

Some Restrictions

No apartment, dwelling or single-family rental in Lakewood Township may be leased, rented or sold until the owner…

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Linden

Some Restrictions

Linden's local fire code amendment 4.19 LA1 requires hardwired smoke detectors in every common area and hallway of any…

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Long Branch

Some Restrictions

Every single- and two-family home in Long Branch, New Jersey must have a smoke detector on each level and within 10…

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New Brunswick

Some Restrictions

In the City of New Brunswick, New Jersey, one- and two-family dwellings need an approved smoke detector near each…

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Newark

Some Restrictions

Newark's Fire Prevention Code requires at least one approved smoke detector in the sleeping area of every existing…

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Old Bridge

Some Restrictions

Every dwelling unit in Old Bridge Township must have at least one electric or battery-operated smoke detector for each…

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Parsippany Troy Hills

Some Restrictions

In Parsippany-Troy Hills, § 213-40A(29) puts specific detector duties on landlords. The owner of a multiple dwelling…

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Passaic

Some Restrictions

Owners of one- and two-family homes in Passaic must install at least one electric or battery-powered smoke detector…

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Paterson

Some Restrictions

Paterson requires a smoke detector and CO compliance certificate before any one- or two-family home is sold, leased, or…

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Perth Amboy

Some Restrictions

In the City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, a dwelling with a basement or cellar needs an additional smoke detector there…

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Piscataway

Some Restrictions

Piscataway's Property Maintenance Code requires a smoke detector on every story of a dwelling unit, including…

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Plainfield

Some Restrictions

In the City of Plainfield, New Jersey, absent or inoperable smoke detectors are a listed ground for denying a…

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Ridgewood

Some Restrictions

The Village of Ridgewood requires a working smoke detector on every level of a dwelling unit before it can be sold…

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Trenton

Some Restrictions

Trenton requires smoke detectors on every level of R-3 and R-4 dwellings and outside each separate sleeping area, in…

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Vineland

Some Restrictions

Before selling, leasing or otherwise changing occupancy of a one- or two-family dwelling in the City of Vineland…

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West New York

Some Restrictions

In the Town of West New York, New Jersey, Chapter 344 requires at least one smoke detector per dwelling unit and a…

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Woodbridge

Some Restrictions

Woodbridge requires a smoke-sensitive alarm on every level of a residential structure housing two or fewer households…

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Monroe Township Middlesex

Light Restrictions

Monroe Township, Middlesex County, charges for certification of smoke detector compliance on a sliding scale tied to…

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Propane Storage

Limits on size and location of residential propane tanks, including setback distances from buildings, property lines, and ignition sources.

Irvington

Heavy Restrictions

Chapter 650 prohibits storing or manufacturing liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen gas, or similar flammable, explosive…

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Bayonne

Significant Restrictions

In the City of Bayonne, bulk storage of liquefied petroleum gas is prohibited citywide above 2,000 gallons water…

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Elizabeth

Significant Restrictions

Elizabeth prohibits bulk storage and use of liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas everywhere in the city…

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Old Bridge

Significant Restrictions

Old Bridge Township restricts bulk liquefied petroleum gas storage townshipwide, except in the M3 Heavy Industrial…

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East Brunswick

Some Restrictions

In East Brunswick Township, New Jersey, bulk storage of liquefied petroleum gas is restricted across the whole Township…

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Jackson

Some Restrictions

In Jackson Township, New Jersey, Township Code § 244-160J limits residential liquefied petroleum gas storage to a…

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Linden

Some Restrictions

Linden requires a Type 1 fire permit before storing or using more than 182 cubic feet, one standard 20-pound cylinder…

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Newark

Some Restrictions

Newark requires a Fire Division permit to store or use liquefied petroleum gas in containers, with fees scaled from $50…

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Ridgewood

Some Restrictions

Village of Ridgewood treats propane tanks as exterior mechanical equipment: a zoning permit is required to install one…

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Toms River

Some Restrictions

Toms River Township caps residential propane (LP-gas) storage at a combined 500-gallon water capacity per dwelling…

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