Is there a single New Jersey law governing accessory dwelling units?

No. Rules are set entirely at the municipal level today. All 564 municipalities can write their own ordinance, set their own size limits and setbacks, or ban ADUs outright.

What is S2680 and is it law yet?

S2680 is a pending New Jersey bill that would create statewide ADU standards instead of leaving the decision to municipal discretion. It remains proposed, not enacted, and nothing in it currently applies to any New Jersey property.

What would S2680 require if it passes?

As drafted, it would require an ADU to contain at least 300 square feet of complete independent living space, keep its height at or below the primary dwelling's height, and sit no closer than 5 feet from the lot line. It has not passed the legislature.

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HOW-TO GUIDE

What NJ Homeowners Need to Know About Accessory Dwelling Units Right Now

PUBLISHED

October 16, 2026

AUTHOR

Jeremy Riback

READ TIME

4 min read

CATEGORY

How-To Guide

Homeowners

ARTICLE

There's no single New Jersey ADU law today. Rules are set entirely at the municipal level, and a pending statewide bill, S2680, hasn't passed yet.

Homeowners hear about ADU reform in the news and assume it already applies statewide, when what actually governs their property is their own town's ordinance, or the absence of one.

Start with the municipal zoning office to confirm what's currently allowed, understand the pending S2680 bill as proposed and not yet law, and work with an architect who already navigates NJ's town-by-town permitting variation.

Gives NJ homeowners a clear, accurate starting point for evaluating an ADU project and positions PUR4 as a guide through municipal permitting variation across the state.

Some NJ towns, like Asbury Park, already allow ADUs under local ordinances. Others don't address them at all. The variation is real today, independent of any statewide bill.

An ADU in New Jersey is possible in some towns and not others today, governed by local ordinance until S2680, if it passes, changes that.

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