Brick, NJ Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Downtown Design Guide (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone
- Village Zone (Art. XXIVA)
- Review body
- Planning Board Architectural Review Committee
- Design theme
- "Timeless" historic shore-town look
- Max height
- 35 ft mean, 38.5 ft ridge
- Adopted
- 10-9-2018 by Ord. No. 20-18
Summary
Brick Township requires Planning Board Architectural Review Committee approval for new nonresidential and mixed-use development in the Village Zone, applying design guidelines that call for a timeless shore-town look echoing Asbury Park and Spring Lake.
New development and major renovations in the Village Zone are subject to Board Review and Approval and Architectural Committee Review. The Township Planning Board Architectural Review Committee shall encourage design creativity, flexibility, and quality design that is sensitive to the surrounding context and unique site conditions.
(4) The Township Planning Board Architectural Review Committee shall utilize the following design guidelines in reviewing all new nonresidential developments and major renovations in the Village Zone;
(a) Village design guidelines. The desired design theme should be "timeless" and mimic the homes and businesses that dot the historic New Jersey shore downtown areas such as Asbury Park, Spring Lake, Toms River, and Point Pleasant Beach. The specific characteristics of these desired structures include: [1] Building materials used in area historic structures including but not limited to wood and clapboard shingles or modern replications in more durable materials or brick faced façades. [2] Muted or natural colors and signage that coordinates with building facade. [3] Buildings greater than one story with clear delineation of the boundary between each floor of the structure through belt courses, cornice lines or similar architectural detailing. [4] Pitched or gabled rooflines. [5] Overhanging eaves. [6] Utilization of awnings, covered walkways, opens colonnades or similar weather protection where applicable. [7]
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4577344; v53 updated 2025-12-09; through 12-09-2025).
Full Breakdown
Adopted in 2018, Brick Township's Village Zone ordinance sends every new nonresidential and mixed-use project through the Township Planning Board Architectural Review Committee before approval. The committee applies design guidelines meant to revitalize older commercial corridors: building materials like wood clapboard shingles or brick-faced facades, muted colors, pitched or gabled rooflines, overhanging eaves, awnings or colonnades, street-facing entrances, and features such as corner towers or cupolas evoking historic Jersey Shore downtowns like Asbury Park and Spring Lake.
Violations & Fines
Skipping Architectural Review Committee sign-off before building or majorly renovating in the Village Zone blocks site plan approval; the Planning Board can deny or condition approval until designs meet the guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Brick Township have a downtown design review requirement?
What look does Brick's Village Zone design guide require?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brick
Compare Brick to another location·View the New Jersey zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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