Paramus City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
General Provisions
[§§ 429-1—429-4 adopted 12-6-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-08]
§ 429-1 Title.
This Chapter may be cited and referred to as the "Zoning Ordinance of the Borough of Paramus."
§ 429-2 Legislative authority.
This Chapter is adopted pursuant to the authority set forth in Article 8 of the Municipal Land Use Law, Chapter 291, Laws of New Jersey 1975, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-62 et seq., and the amendments thereof and supplements thereto.
§ 429-3 Purposes.
A.
The purposes of this Chapter are:
(1)
To guide the appropriate use or development of all lands in the Borough in a manner which will promote the public health, safety, morals and general welfare.
(2)
To secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other natural and man-made disasters.
(3)
To provide adequate light, air and open space.
(4)
To protect the quality of life in the residential areas of the Borough.
(5)
To promote the establishment of appropriate population densities and concentrations that will contribute to the well-being of persons, neighborhoods, communities and regions and preservation of the environment.
(6)
To provide sufficient space In appropriate locations for a variety of residential, recreational, commercial and industrial uses and open space, both public and private, according to the respective environmental requirements in order to meet the needs of all New Jersey citizens.
(7)
To promote the conservation of open space and valuable natural resources and to prevent urban sprawl and degradation of the environment through improper use of land.
(8)
To encourage coordination of the various public and private procedures and activities shaping land development with a view of lessening the cost of such development and to the more efficient use of land.
(9)
Promote orderly development. To protect the character and maintain the stability of residential and business areas within the Borough and to promote the orderly and beneficial development of such areas.
(10)
Regulate intensity of use. To regulate the intensity of use of zoning lots and to determine the area of open spaces surrounding buildings necessary to provide adequate light and air, privacy and convenience of access to property and to protect the public health.
(11)
Regulate location of building and establish standards of development. To establish building lines and the location of buildings designed for residential, commercial, industrial, office and other uses within such lines and to fix reasonable standards to which buildings or structures shall conform.
(12)
Prohibit incompatible uses. To prohibit uses, buildings or structures which are incompatible with the character of development or the permitted uses within specified zoning districts.
(13)
Regulate alterations of existing buildings. To prevent such additions to and alterations or remodeling of existing buildings or structures as would not comply with the restrictions and limitations imposed hereunder.
(14)
Limit congestion in streets. To limit congestion in the public streets and to protect the public health, safety, convenience and the general welfare by providing for off-street parking of motor vehicles and for the loading and unloading of commercial vehicles.
(15)
Protect against hazards. To provide protection against fire, explosion, noxious fumes and other hazards in the interest of the public health, safety, comfort and the general welfare.
(16)
Conserve taxable value of land. To conserve the taxable value of land and buildings throughout the Borough and to maintain the Borough's position as the pre-eminent commercial area of Bergen County consistent with the Master Plan adopted by the Land Use Board by Resolution 2015-08.
B.
For this purpose, this Chapter designates, regulates and restricts the location and use of buildings, structures and land for residential, commercial, industrial, public and semipublic or other purposes; the height and size of buildings and other structures hereafter erected or altered; the size of yards and other open spaces; the density of population; required off-street parking and loading facilities; and the location and extent of planted areas and buffer strips.
§ 429-4 Prior provisions and construction.
A.
This Ordinance No. 2016-08 supersedes and replaces all other ordinances enacted regarding the subject matter of this ordinance. Notwithstanding Chapter 77 (Land Use Procedures), Chapter 213 (Drainage and Environmental Protection), Chapter 229 (Land Use Fees), Chapter 299 (Motels and Hotels), Chapter 367 (Signs), Chapter 371 (Site Plan Review) and Chapter 387 (Subdivision of Land) shall remain in full force and effect, provided, however, in the event of any conflicting provision between this Chapter 429 and any of the aforementioned chapters, the provision set forth in Chapter 429 shall govern.
B.
Wherever the regulations, restrictions and provisions of this Chapter are greater or more extensive than those required or imposed by any other statute, regulation, ordinance or private deed restriction, the terms of this Chapter shall govern.
C.
Whenever the regulations, restrictions and provisions of any other statute, regulation or ordinance are greater or more extensive than the regulations, restrictions and provisions of this Chapter, the terms of such other statute, regulation or ordinance shall govern.
D.
If a doubt arises in the interpretation of any part of this chapter and two or more interpretations appear equally possible, the interpretation that would tend to offer greater protection to the property in the Borough of Paramus zoned for residential use shall be chosen.
E.
The provisions of this Chapter shall be enforced by the following officials and employees of the Borough of Paramus:
(1)
The Building Subcode Official and his or their designated assistants as provided by law;
(2)
The Borough Administrator;
(3)
The Borough Engineer;
(4)
Members of the Police Department;
(5)
The Fire Inspector(s);
(6)
The Shade Tree and Parks Superintendent;
(7)
The Zoning Officer;
(8)
All other persons hereafter designated by resolution of the Mayor and Council.
