Alpine City Zoning Code
§ 220-11
Accessory apartments.
[Added 8-28-2024 by Ord. No. 833[1]]
A.
Purpose. This section is intended to provide opportunities for the creation of at least four subsidized affordable accessory apartments within the Borough of Alpine to fulfill the Borough's affordable housing obligation.
B.
Definition. The term "accessory apartment," as used in this section, shall mean a self-contained residential dwelling unit with a kitchen, sanitary facilities, sleeping quarters and a private entrance, which is created within an existing home, or through the conversion of an existing accessory structure on the same site, or by an addition to an existing home or accessory building, or by the construction of a new accessory structure on the same site.
C.
Where permitted. Accessory apartments shall be permitted in principal or accessory buildings in all zones on lots developed with a detached single-family dwelling according to the area, yard, and bulk requirements set forth at Subsection G below.
D.
Affordability. Each new accessory apartment created under the terms of this section shall be an affordable rental unit in accordance with the terms of Chapter 60, Affordable Housing, of the Code of the Borough of Alpine.
E.
Applicability. While this section shall apply to the development and continued operation of all affordable accessory apartments created in the Borough following the adoption of this section, the Borough's accessory apartment program shall remain in effect only until July 1, 2025. Any units that are in progress or for which discussions have been initiated prior to July 1, 2025, shall be permitted to continue after this date.
F.
Number of dwelling units. No lot shall contain more than two dwelling units. A lot shall contain a principal dwelling unit and not more than one affordable accessory apartment which may be located in the principal residence or in an accessory structure. The accessory apartment shall be exempt from the density requirements of the zone district in which the unit is located; however, this density exemption shall only apply to one unit above the maximum density.
G.
Area and bulk standards. An affordable accessory apartment shall only be permitted if it complies with the following lot and bulk standards:
(1)
The lot to be used for the accessory apartment shall comply with the minimum area, width and depth requirements applicable to single family detached dwellings in the zone district.
(2)
For accessory apartments created within an existing dwelling or created by an addition to an existing dwelling, the building shall comply with all requirements applicable to principal buildings used as detached single-family dwellings in the zone district, except for requirements that limit the lot to only one dwelling or dwelling structure.
(3)
For accessory apartments created through the conversion of an existing accessory structure, by an addition to an existing accessory building, or by the construction of a new accessory structure, the building shall comply with all requirements applicable to accessory buildings and structures in § 220-13.
H.
Design standards. An affordable accessory apartment shall be subject to the following design standards:
(1)
Minimum unit floor area. Each accessory apartment unit shall contain a minimum habitable gross floor area of 450 square feet, plus 150 square feet for each bedroom in the unit.
(2)
Maximum unit floor area. The habitable gross floor area of any accessory apartment shall not exceed the lesser of: a) the habitable gross floor of the primary dwelling unit on the lot; or b) 1,000 square feet.
(3)
Access to any affordable accessory apartment shall be provided with an exterior entrance separate from the principal dwelling entrance.
(4)
The exterior design of any accessory apartment shall be consistent with the design of the existing dwelling structure, utilizing the same or similar materials, colors, and architectural style. In applying this standard, the intent shall be to maintain the appearance of the property as a single-family dwelling and related structures.
(5)
Off-street parking shall be provided for any vehicles used by the occupants of the affordable accessory apartment. The requirements of the New Jersey Residential Site Improvement Standards at N.J.A.C. 5:21-4.14 shall apply. All parking and driveways serving accessory apartments shall comply with the standards for parking and driveways for detached single-family dwellings in the district, provided that one off-street parking space shall be provided for any efficiency or one-bedroom accessory apartment.
I.
Water and sewer. The appropriate utility authority must certify that there is water and sewer infrastructure with sufficient capacity to serve the proposed accessory apartment. Where the proposed location is served by an individual well and/or septic system, the additional capacity necessitated by the new unit must meet the appropriate NJDEP standards.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former § 220-11, Fair housing, added 7-22-1996 by Ord. No. 525, as amended 12-20-2000 by Ord. No. 581. Ordinance No. 834, adopted 8-28-2024, also stated that it repealed former § 220-11.