Permits of some type are generally required for work in and around your property. For your convenience, always call the Zoning Officer before planning or starting any project. Do not spend a lot of money with a design professional until you know for sure that your project complies with the Chatham Borough Zoning Ordinances.

For most residents and business owners in Chatham Borough, the Zoning Officer is the first contact you need to make before starting any project. The Zoning Office is in the Construction Office at Borough Hall.

ORDINANCES CHANGE regularly. What was permitted last month may be different this month. Consult with the Zoning Officer.

CONDOMINIUM RESIDENTS require approval from their owners’ association or management company, and those approvals should be in place before seeking municipal approvals.

VARIANCES and APPEALS

Every applicant has a right to apply for a “variance” from the Ordinances. There are fees involved, as well as a hearing before the Zoning Board of Adjustment. You should apply for a variance if you feel that there are special reasons why the Ordinances do not apply to your situation. Additionally, if you do not agree with a decision of the Zoning Officer, you have the right to appeal that decision to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Application forms are available at the Construction Office in Borough Hall.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SETBACKS from property lines are uniform in all residential zones in the Borough. Front
Yard = 30.0’. Side Yards = 9.0’ for one story and 12.0’ for two stories. Rear Yards are a function of building height, but are generally 30.0’. Setbacks in Business and Manufacturing Zones vary; consult the Zoning Officer.

POOLS, including decking, patios, aprons, filters, heaters, pumps, etc. need to meet lot coverage requirements. Additionally, no private pool may be closer than 20.0’ to the rear or side property lines, and must not occupy more than 25% of the rear yard area. Pools are not permitted forward of the rear line of the residence. Corner lot pools require screening; consult with the Zoning Officer. Zoning approval and building permits are required for all pools.

FENCES and WALLS are controlled in the Borough. Generally fences forward of the residence cannot exceed 4.0’ in height and must be 50% open. Side line fences cannot exceed 5.0’ in height, but may be any style. Rear line fences cannot exceed 6.0’ in height, but may be any style. There are no setback requirements for fences. Consult with the Zoning Officer since there are a few conditions for some fences, especially on corner lots. Zoning approval is required.

SHEDS need zoning approval even if the size does not require a building permit. Sheds are limited to 80.0 square feet and 10.0’ in height.

PATIOS and WALKS require zoning approval, but no building permit.

FARM ANIMALS are generally not permitted.

NOISE from power equipment is permitted between 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM weekdays, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturdays, and prohibited on Sundays except by the owner of the site.

SIGNS require zoning approval. Almost all permanent signs require a permit and Sign Committee approval. Some signs may require Historic Preservation Commission approval. Consult with the Zoning Officer.

POLITICAL SIGNS do not require a permit. They must not exceed four square feet, and may be displayed for a maximum of thirty days. One per lot.

REAL ESTATE SIGNS do not require a permit. They must not exceed four square feet and are limited to a single sign on the property “for sale.”

GARAGE SALE SIGNS do not require permits, but the sale itself does require a permit from the Borough Clerk.

WINDOW SIGNS do not require a permit, but are limited to 25% of the window area, or 12.5% if they are illuminated. Window signs are permitted only in the business zones.

BANNERS do not require a permit, but are limited to ten square feet and may be in place not more than two periods of fourteen days, twice per year.

SATELLITE DISHES one meter or less in diameter do not require a permit, but must be screened from your neighbors if ground mounted and must adhere to the accessory building setbacks in the Borough. Consult the Zoning Officer for particulars on larger dishes.

APARTMENTS and GUEST COTTAGES are generally not permitted in most residential zones. Consult with the Zoning officer.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, CAMPERS, and BOATS may be stored on your property with certain restrictions as to location and visibility. Due to the wide variety of circumstances, please consult with the Zoning Officer for details relevant to your property.

HISTORIC DISTRICT structures require review before the Historic Preservation Commission in addition to normal Zoning considerations. Consult with the Historic Preservation Commission or the Zoning officer.

TREE CUTTING may require a permit under certain circumstances. Consult with the Zoning Officer or Construction Official.

TENTS or similar temporary structures may require permits and Fire Official approval depending upon their size. Consult with the Zoning Officer.

FLAGS are permitted in all zones. Flags of the United States and other political jurisdictions are generally permitted without controls. Decorative flags at businesses may display only a generic design and must not be larger than 3.0’ x 5.0’.

FLAGPOLES are regulated as to height. Zoning approval and building permits are required.

LAND DISTURBANCE may require a permit, often review by the Borough Engineer, and occasionally review by Morris County. Consult with the Zoning Officer or Construction Official.

DRIVEWAYS require a Land Disturbance permit, but not a building permit. Curb cuts in residential zones are limited to 16.0’ maximum width. Zoning approval is required.

PARKING is permitted only on areas meant for parking and prohibited on any landscaped areas or grass.

OUTSIDE DISPLAY of merchandise is prohibited.

HOME OCCUPATIONS are permitted with restrictions or prohibitions on certain types of business. Zoning approval is required.

SIDEWALK DINING requires a permit. There are a fee, landlord approval, insurance, and layout sketch required to secure the permit. Permit applications are available at the Construction Office or at the office of the Borough Clerk.

SIDEWALKS must be kept clean, in good repair, and free of debris or snow.

ZONING CONSIDERATIONS that apply in almost all zones are Setbacks, Lot Coverage, Building Coverage, and Floor Area. Parking is a consideration in many Business Zones. Some uses may require Planning Board approval. Consult with the Zoning Officer.

Click here to view a chart of allowed Building Coverage, Floor Area, and Lot Coverage is attached for your use in making your own calculations.