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Wantage Township City Zoning Code

§ 13-24.20

Bed and Breakfast Operations.

a. 
Bed and breakfast operations may only be located in existing buildings which shall be at least 50 years old as of January 1, 2000, or in new structures specifically designed for this purpose.
b. 
The lot size shall meet the minimum required for the zone. Lot width shall be a minimum of 200 feet at the front yard setback, with a minimum of 150 feet frontage at the street.
c. 
The impervious surface ratio shall not be greater than 10% over the maximum permitted in the zone.
d. 
Any existing building used for a bed and breakfast shall meet the minimum front yard setback of the zone. No new construction shall exceed the minimum front yard setback or any bulk requirements.
e. 
Three parking spaces must be provided for the residents, one space for each nonresident employee during the peak employee shift, and one space per guest room.
f. 
Accessory use. All bed and breakfasts must be an accessory use to a single-family dwelling.
g. 
Limitations on guests/rooms. No more than six guestrooms may be available for lodging. Furthermore, no more than two adults and two children (under 18 years of age) may stay in any single room.
h. 
External alterations. Any external alterations may be permitted only after review by the planning board.
i. 
Nonresident employees. No more than two nonresident employees may work on any single shift.
j. 
Food service. No cooking facilities shall be permitted within any guestrooms. Food may be served by the innkeeper only to registered guests, employees and residents of the building. The only food services available to guests shall be breakfast, afternoon tea and early evening cocktails.
k. 
Maximum length of stay. The maximum length of an uninterrupted stay shall be 14 days. Furthermore, no individual may stay at the bed and breakfast for more than 12 stays per year.
l. 
Recreational facilities. Recreation facilities, such as tennis courts and swimming pools are permitted. However, they are limited to the use of the guests, residents and their guests, and employees. Buffering may be required for recreational facilities and parking, as required by the planning board.
m. 
Septic and water. Proof must be provided to the township health officer that sufficient septic and water facilities are available to the site.
n. 
Bathrooms. The living quarters of the bed and breakfast innkeeper must have separate bathroom facilities from those of the guests. At least one bathroom must be available for the first guestroom, plus one bathroom for each two additional guestrooms. Employees may not use guest bathrooms, and each bathroom must consist of at least one toilet, one sink and one bath/shower facility.
o. 
Permit. A permit must be obtained from the township in order to operate a bed and breakfast. This permit shall be issued for any appropriate site meeting all zoning, health, safety, fire and building codes. It shall be renewed annually upon inspection and approval by the township's inspectors. This permit process does not require an annual planning board approval for a conditional use following the initial approval, unless the use is expanded beyond that level permitted by code or planning board resolution.
p. 
Signs. Only one free-standing or facade sign can be erected, which shall be wood and illuminated by exterior lighting. Sign area shall not exceed six square feet. Free-standing signs shall be set back 20 feet from the property line and not exceed a height of four feet.