Washington City Zoning Code

ARTICLE III

Pinelands Village-Residential Zone PV-R

§ 275-11 Intent.

Pinelands Villages. It is the intent of this chapter to encourage infill within the boundaries of existing discrete developed areas identified as Pinelands Villages. Moreover, the stated goal is to maintain the existing character of the Pinelands Villages and to retain cultural ties with a rural, agrarian way of life. Uses that are compatible with the established village character shall be encouraged, providing they are environmentally acceptable and further providing they will limit their ultimate potential for growth to the immediate Pinelands Village area.

Pinelands Village-Residential Zone. It is the further intent of this chapter to accommodate the majority of future population growth within the Pinelands Village-Residential Zoning District and primarily to provide for large lot, single-family residential uses and farming operations.

§ 275-12 Uses.

Lands or buildings shall be used for only the following purposes:

Principal uses.

Single-family detached dwellings.

Farming and agricultural operations, including:

Cranberry bogs.

Blueberry fields.

Row crops and truck farming operations.

Parks, playgrounds and other publicly operated recreational uses subject to the following requirements:

The exterior architectural design of recreational structures shall be in keeping with other structures in the neighborhood.

Churches and similar places of worship, including cemeteries, rectories or parish houses, subject to the following requirements:

The rear yard setback shall be 50 feet minimum.

A buffer strip at least 10 feet wide shall be provided along all yard borders except the front yard.

Cemeteries shall comply with the provisions of the New Jersey Cemetery Law, N.J.S.A. 8A:1-1 et seq.[1]

Editor's Note: N.J.S.A. 8A:1-1 through 8A:12-6 were repealed by L.2003, c. 261, § 42. See now N.J.S.A. 45:27-1 et seq.

A site plan shall be filed for review by either the Planning and Zoning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Public and private schools, subject to the following requirements:

The perimeter setback area shall have depth of 50 feet minimum.

Governmental buildings used for public purposes, including public libraries, museums, art galleries and community centers, providing that a site plan shall be filed for review by either the Planning and Zoning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment, subject to the following restrictions:

Hospitals or sanitariums for contagious diseases, epileptic, drug or alcohol abuse patients, the insane or feebleminded, corrective institutions, halfway houses or other similar institutions shall not be permitted.

Public utility structures, subject to the following requirements:

The exterior architectural design shall be in keeping with other structures in the neighborhood.

The facilities must be shown to be necessary to service the immediate, surrounding area.

There shall be no external storage of materials or vehicles, and there shall be no service or repair facilities.

A buffer strip at least 10 feet wide shall be provided along all yard borders except the front yard.

Accessory uses.

Private auto garages for the exclusive use of principal building residents.

Private swimming pools, intended for the exclusive use of principal building residents, subject to the following requirements:

The edge of the pool or its appurtenances shall be at least 20 feet away from any property line.

Adequate fencing, with lock, shall be installed to prevent unauthorized use or access. Such fencing shall surround the pool itself, the yard in which it is located or the entire property and shall be at least four feet in height.

Private utility sheds, greenhouses, bath houses and playhouses, provided that they comply with all other sections of this article.

Private stables, subject to the following requirements:

The perimeter setback area around the entire stable building shall have a depth of 50 feet minimum.

All animals shall be enclosed in a pen or corral containing at least 800 square feet for the first animal and 400 square feet for each subsequent animal. The corral shall include a stable under roof of at least 100 square feet per animal.

The number of animals shall not exceed the following schedule:

Acres	Number of Animals
Less than 1	None
1 to 1 1/2	1
1 1/2 to 2	2
2 to 3	3
3 to 5	4
5 to 7 1/2	6
More than 7 1/2	*

NOTES:
*	At least 1 1/2 acres of grazing land per animal up to a maximum of 10 animals.

Horses or ponies kept at the stable are used for the private enjoyment of the family owning the premise. Raising animals for sale, breeding of animals for profit and the rental of animals for profit shall not be permitted.

Stables shall be constructed and maintained in a sanitary manner to prevent offensive odors, fly breeding and other nuisances.

Conditional uses.

Customary home occupations, subject to the following conditions and standards:

The use is carried on entirely within the principal or accessory building on site.

The residential character of the building is not changed.

The use has no deleterious influence upon surrounding properties nor upon the surrounding traffic and parking conditions.

No display, advertising, sign or lighting shall indicate from the exterior that the building is being utilized for other than residential purposes.

Not more than 25% of the principal building's gross floor area is used for the home occupation.

No storage of materials or products will occur outside of the confines of either the principal or accessory building.

Professional home offices, subject to the following conditions and standards:

The use is carried on entirely within the principal or accessory building on site.

The residential character of the building is not changed.

The use has no deleterious influence upon surrounding properties nor upon the surrounding traffic and parking conditions.

No display, advertising or lighting shall indicate from the exterior that the building is being used for other than residential purposes.

No sign shall be permitted with the exception of one name plate no more than two square feet in area and unlighted.

Not more than 25% of the principal building's gross floor area is used for the professional home office.

No storage of materials or products will occur outside of the confines of either the principal or accessory buildings.

The home office shall be for the exclusive use of the professional residing on the premises with not more than two additional, nonprofessional employees working in the office.

Roadside stands for produce raised on site, subject to the following conditions and standards:

The use has no deleterious influence upon surrounding properties nor upon the surrounding traffic and parking conditions.

The building area used for the roadside stand shall not exceed 250 square feet.

Sales shall be limited to produce primarily raised and processed on site by the owner of the premises.

No more than two signs may be permitted on the premises. Each sign shall be no more than 20 square feet in area, no more than 15 feet in height and shall be unlighted.

Bed-and-breakfast inns, subject to the following conditions and standards:

[Added 5-7-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-02]

The principal use of the premises shall be a single-family residence. A bed-and-breakfast inn shall be operated only by its owner, whose primary residence is at the premises, and shall be considered an accessory use to the single-family residence. The owner of the premises must be present and occupy the premises during the premises use as a bed-and-breakfast inn.

License. No person shall operate a bed-and-breakfast inn unless the owner holds a valid license issued by the Township. Licenses issued for the operation of bed-and-breakfasts inns shall expire on December 31 of each year, and application for renewal thereof shall be submitted, together with the required application fee, prior to January 15 of each year.

Application. An application for a bed-and-breakfast inn license or license renewal shall submit an application to the Township Clerk, which shall include:

The name, address and telephone number of the applicant and owner to be licensed.

Annual licensing fee in the amount of $100.

Proof of liability insurance for the bed-and-breakfast liability coverage for the period covered by the license.

Proof that the bed-and-breakfast operator has registered with the State of New Jersey to collect a hotel tax.

No more than five rooms shall be used as guest rooms for bed-and-breakfast inn guests.

The maximum length of a stay by a guest shall be no more than 30 days during any 120-day period.

No cooking facilities shall be permitted within any guest rooms.

§ 275-13 Area and bulk requirements.

Lot size.

Single-family residential uses:

[Amended 5-4-1989 by Ord. No. 1989-4; 9-2-1993 by Ord. No. 1993-8; 2-13-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-1]

Minimum of 3.2 acres, subject to the following exceptions:

Any lot that had a minimum area of one acre at the time of the effective date of this subsection shall be deemed to have a conforming lot area, provided that a larger lot size may be required to satisfy the wastewater quality standards contained or referenced in § 275-96 depending upon the proposed type, size, operating characteristics and estimated usage of the on-site wastewater system.

Any applicant for a minor subdivision who has owned the lot which is the subject of a minor subdivision, or whose immediate family, as defined in § 275-6 of this chapter, has owned the lot that is the subject of the minor subdivision since the effective date of this chapter, may bring an application for a minor subdivision which would result in three undersized lots of at least one acre.

Unless a waiver of strict compliance is granted by the Pinelands Commission pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:50-4.61 et seq., no residential dwelling unit or nonresidential use shall be located on a parcel of less than 40,000 square feet, excluding road rights-of-way.

[Added ]

Lot width: 100 feet minimum with the following exceptions:

Minimum of 200 feet for lots requiring a minimum lot size of 3.2 acres and utilizing a conventional on-site septic system.

Building setback lines.

Front yard setback: 50 feet minimum with the following exceptions:

Roadside stands: 30 feet minimum.

Greater minimum front yard setbacks may be required under § 275-93, Scenic preservation standards.

Side yard setback.

Principal buildings: 20 feet minimum with the following exceptions:

Public and private schools: 50 feet minimum.

Accessory buildings: 10 feet minimum with the following exceptions:

Private stables: 50 feet minimum.

Rear yard setback.

Principal buildings: 40 feet minimum with the following exceptions:

Churches: 50 feet minimum.

Public and private schools: 50 feet minimum.

Accessory buildings: 20 feet minimum with the following exceptions:

Private stables: 50 feet minimum.

Lot coverage.

Lot coverage by buildings only: 20% maximum.

Lot coverage by all structures and improvements, excluding landscaping and underground improvements: 30% maximum.

Building height.

Principal buildings: a maximum of 35 feet or 2 1/2 stories, whichever is less.

Accessory buildings: a maximum of 15 feet or 1 1/2 stories, whichever is less.

See § 275-14 for building height exceptions for public buildings, churches and farm buildings.

Gross floor area.

Single-family residential uses: 1,000 square feet minimum with the following exceptions:

Two- or two-and-a-half-story building: 1,200 square feet minimum, of which at least 800 square feet must be on the first floor.

Four bedrooms or more: 1,200 square feet minimum.

§ 275-14 Exceptions.

Building height.

Governmental public buildings and churches. Building height may be increased to a maximum of either 50 feet or 3 1/2 stories, whichever is less, provided that:

The height increase is shown to be necessary to serve the use of the building.

The Municipal Fire Chief has reviewed and approved the preliminary building plans.

The Municipal Construction Official has reviewed and approved the preliminary building plans.

All building setback lines shall be increased one foot for each additional foot of building height in excess of 35 feet.

Farm buildings. Building height may be increased to a maximum of 50 feet, providing that:

The height increase is shown to be necessary to serve the use of the building.

The building is not used for any residential purposes.

All building setback lines shall be increased one foot for each additional foot of building height in excess of 35 feet.

§ 275-15 Other regulations.

Building projections. All projections into any yard area, including window sills, cornices, cantilevered roofs, canopies, awnings, balconies, porches, stairs, shop windows, bay windows, chimneys and fire escapes, shall not exceed four feet maximum and may be permitted if required in the overall building and site design, subject to site plan review and approval.

§ 275-16 Landscaping.

Excepting the possible use of landscaping in buffer strips imposed under this article, no additional landscaping requirements are imposed under this zoning district.

Further provisions and standards for buffer strips are presented in Article XI and in § 275-95C.

§ 275-17 Parking.

The following parking space provisions are the minimum required for uses under this article. All parking spaces shall be off-street and on site.

Single-family dwelling units: two parking spaces.

Churches: one parking space for every three seats. If benches are used, one parking space for every 60 inches of seating space.

Public utilities: one parking space for each employee. If the site is unattended, at least one parking space shall be provided.

Home occupations. In addition to the parking space requirements for the single-family dwelling unit, one additional parking space for every 250 square feet of floor area, or portion thereof, used for the home occupation.

Professional home office. In addition to the parking space requirements for the single-family dwelling unit, one additional parking space for every 250 square feet of floor area, or portion thereof, used for the professional home office.

Roadside stand: three parking spaces, or one parking space for every 200 square feet of combined roadside stand and display area, whichever is greater.

Further provisions and standards for parking areas are presented in § 275-71.

§ 275-18 Signs.

In addition to the signs permitted in any zoning district by § 275-77, the following signs are also permitted in this zoning district for the corresponding uses listed below:

Churches, libraries, schools, public buildings: one on-site ground or wall sign, providing that the size shall not exceed 12 square feet, the setback from any property or right-of-way line shall not be less than 15 feet, and the sign shall not be lighted.

Professional home office: one on-site sign, providing that the size shall not exceed two square feet, the setback from any property or right-of-way line shall not be less than 15 feet, and the sign shall not be lighted.

All signs in this district are subject to the further rules, regulations, restrictions and standards of § 275-77.

Washington City Zoning Code

ARTICLE III

Pinelands Village-Residential Zone PV-R

§ 275-11 Intent.

Pinelands Villages. It is the intent of this chapter to encourage infill within the boundaries of existing discrete developed areas identified as Pinelands Villages. Moreover, the stated goal is to maintain the existing character of the Pinelands Villages and to retain cultural ties with a rural, agrarian way of life. Uses that are compatible with the established village character shall be encouraged, providing they are environmentally acceptable and further providing they will limit their ultimate potential for growth to the immediate Pinelands Village area.

Pinelands Village-Residential Zone. It is the further intent of this chapter to accommodate the majority of future population growth within the Pinelands Village-Residential Zoning District and primarily to provide for large lot, single-family residential uses and farming operations.

§ 275-12 Uses.

Lands or buildings shall be used for only the following purposes:

Principal uses.

Single-family detached dwellings.

Farming and agricultural operations, including:

Cranberry bogs.

Blueberry fields.

Row crops and truck farming operations.

Parks, playgrounds and other publicly operated recreational uses subject to the following requirements:

The exterior architectural design of recreational structures shall be in keeping with other structures in the neighborhood.

Churches and similar places of worship, including cemeteries, rectories or parish houses, subject to the following requirements:

The rear yard setback shall be 50 feet minimum.

A buffer strip at least 10 feet wide shall be provided along all yard borders except the front yard.

Cemeteries shall comply with the provisions of the New Jersey Cemetery Law, N.J.S.A. 8A:1-1 et seq.[1]

Editor's Note: N.J.S.A. 8A:1-1 through 8A:12-6 were repealed by L.2003, c. 261, § 42. See now N.J.S.A. 45:27-1 et seq.

A site plan shall be filed for review by either the Planning and Zoning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Public and private schools, subject to the following requirements:

The perimeter setback area shall have depth of 50 feet minimum.

Governmental buildings used for public purposes, including public libraries, museums, art galleries and community centers, providing that a site plan shall be filed for review by either the Planning and Zoning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment, subject to the following restrictions:

Hospitals or sanitariums for contagious diseases, epileptic, drug or alcohol abuse patients, the insane or feebleminded, corrective institutions, halfway houses or other similar institutions shall not be permitted.

Public utility structures, subject to the following requirements:

The exterior architectural design shall be in keeping with other structures in the neighborhood.

The facilities must be shown to be necessary to service the immediate, surrounding area.

There shall be no external storage of materials or vehicles, and there shall be no service or repair facilities.

A buffer strip at least 10 feet wide shall be provided along all yard borders except the front yard.

Accessory uses.

Private auto garages for the exclusive use of principal building residents.

Private swimming pools, intended for the exclusive use of principal building residents, subject to the following requirements:

The edge of the pool or its appurtenances shall be at least 20 feet away from any property line.

Adequate fencing, with lock, shall be installed to prevent unauthorized use or access. Such fencing shall surround the pool itself, the yard in which it is located or the entire property and shall be at least four feet in height.

Private utility sheds, greenhouses, bath houses and playhouses, provided that they comply with all other sections of this article.

Private stables, subject to the following requirements:

The perimeter setback area around the entire stable building shall have a depth of 50 feet minimum.

All animals shall be enclosed in a pen or corral containing at least 800 square feet for the first animal and 400 square feet for each subsequent animal. The corral shall include a stable under roof of at least 100 square feet per animal.

The number of animals shall not exceed the following schedule:

Acres	Number of Animals
Less than 1	None
1 to 1 1/2	1
1 1/2 to 2	2
2 to 3	3
3 to 5	4
5 to 7 1/2	6
More than 7 1/2	*

NOTES:
*	At least 1 1/2 acres of grazing land per animal up to a maximum of 10 animals.

Horses or ponies kept at the stable are used for the private enjoyment of the family owning the premise. Raising animals for sale, breeding of animals for profit and the rental of animals for profit shall not be permitted.

Stables shall be constructed and maintained in a sanitary manner to prevent offensive odors, fly breeding and other nuisances.

Conditional uses.

Customary home occupations, subject to the following conditions and standards:

The use is carried on entirely within the principal or accessory building on site.

The residential character of the building is not changed.

The use has no deleterious influence upon surrounding properties nor upon the surrounding traffic and parking conditions.

No display, advertising, sign or lighting shall indicate from the exterior that the building is being utilized for other than residential purposes.

Not more than 25% of the principal building's gross floor area is used for the home occupation.

No storage of materials or products will occur outside of the confines of either the principal or accessory building.

Professional home offices, subject to the following conditions and standards:

The use is carried on entirely within the principal or accessory building on site.

The residential character of the building is not changed.

The use has no deleterious influence upon surrounding properties nor upon the surrounding traffic and parking conditions.

No display, advertising or lighting shall indicate from the exterior that the building is being used for other than residential purposes.

No sign shall be permitted with the exception of one name plate no more than two square feet in area and unlighted.

Not more than 25% of the principal building's gross floor area is used for the professional home office.

No storage of materials or products will occur outside of the confines of either the principal or accessory buildings.

The home office shall be for the exclusive use of the professional residing on the premises with not more than two additional, nonprofessional employees working in the office.

Roadside stands for produce raised on site, subject to the following conditions and standards:

The use has no deleterious influence upon surrounding properties nor upon the surrounding traffic and parking conditions.

The building area used for the roadside stand shall not exceed 250 square feet.

Sales shall be limited to produce primarily raised and processed on site by the owner of the premises.

No more than two signs may be permitted on the premises. Each sign shall be no more than 20 square feet in area, no more than 15 feet in height and shall be unlighted.

Bed-and-breakfast inns, subject to the following conditions and standards:

[Added 5-7-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-02]

The principal use of the premises shall be a single-family residence. A bed-and-breakfast inn shall be operated only by its owner, whose primary residence is at the premises, and shall be considered an accessory use to the single-family residence. The owner of the premises must be present and occupy the premises during the premises use as a bed-and-breakfast inn.

License. No person shall operate a bed-and-breakfast inn unless the owner holds a valid license issued by the Township. Licenses issued for the operation of bed-and-breakfasts inns shall expire on December 31 of each year, and application for renewal thereof shall be submitted, together with the required application fee, prior to January 15 of each year.

Application. An application for a bed-and-breakfast inn license or license renewal shall submit an application to the Township Clerk, which shall include:

The name, address and telephone number of the applicant and owner to be licensed.

Annual licensing fee in the amount of $100.

Proof of liability insurance for the bed-and-breakfast liability coverage for the period covered by the license.

Proof that the bed-and-breakfast operator has registered with the State of New Jersey to collect a hotel tax.

No more than five rooms shall be used as guest rooms for bed-and-breakfast inn guests.

The maximum length of a stay by a guest shall be no more than 30 days during any 120-day period.

No cooking facilities shall be permitted within any guest rooms.

§ 275-13 Area and bulk requirements.

Lot size.

Single-family residential uses:

[Amended 5-4-1989 by Ord. No. 1989-4; 9-2-1993 by Ord. No. 1993-8; 2-13-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-1]

Minimum of 3.2 acres, subject to the following exceptions:

Any lot that had a minimum area of one acre at the time of the effective date of this subsection shall be deemed to have a conforming lot area, provided that a larger lot size may be required to satisfy the wastewater quality standards contained or referenced in § 275-96 depending upon the proposed type, size, operating characteristics and estimated usage of the on-site wastewater system.

Any applicant for a minor subdivision who has owned the lot which is the subject of a minor subdivision, or whose immediate family, as defined in § 275-6 of this chapter, has owned the lot that is the subject of the minor subdivision since the effective date of this chapter, may bring an application for a minor subdivision which would result in three undersized lots of at least one acre.

Unless a waiver of strict compliance is granted by the Pinelands Commission pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:50-4.61 et seq., no residential dwelling unit or nonresidential use shall be located on a parcel of less than 40,000 square feet, excluding road rights-of-way.

[Added ]

Lot width: 100 feet minimum with the following exceptions:

Minimum of 200 feet for lots requiring a minimum lot size of 3.2 acres and utilizing a conventional on-site septic system.

Building setback lines.

Front yard setback: 50 feet minimum with the following exceptions:

Roadside stands: 30 feet minimum.

Greater minimum front yard setbacks may be required under § 275-93, Scenic preservation standards.

Side yard setback.

Principal buildings: 20 feet minimum with the following exceptions:

Public and private schools: 50 feet minimum.

Accessory buildings: 10 feet minimum with the following exceptions:

Private stables: 50 feet minimum.

Rear yard setback.

Principal buildings: 40 feet minimum with the following exceptions:

Churches: 50 feet minimum.

Public and private schools: 50 feet minimum.

Accessory buildings: 20 feet minimum with the following exceptions:

Private stables: 50 feet minimum.

Lot coverage.

Lot coverage by buildings only: 20% maximum.

Lot coverage by all structures and improvements, excluding landscaping and underground improvements: 30% maximum.

Building height.

Principal buildings: a maximum of 35 feet or 2 1/2 stories, whichever is less.

Accessory buildings: a maximum of 15 feet or 1 1/2 stories, whichever is less.

See § 275-14 for building height exceptions for public buildings, churches and farm buildings.

Gross floor area.

Single-family residential uses: 1,000 square feet minimum with the following exceptions:

Two- or two-and-a-half-story building: 1,200 square feet minimum, of which at least 800 square feet must be on the first floor.

Four bedrooms or more: 1,200 square feet minimum.

§ 275-14 Exceptions.

Building height.

Governmental public buildings and churches. Building height may be increased to a maximum of either 50 feet or 3 1/2 stories, whichever is less, provided that:

The height increase is shown to be necessary to serve the use of the building.

The Municipal Fire Chief has reviewed and approved the preliminary building plans.

The Municipal Construction Official has reviewed and approved the preliminary building plans.

All building setback lines shall be increased one foot for each additional foot of building height in excess of 35 feet.

Farm buildings. Building height may be increased to a maximum of 50 feet, providing that:

The height increase is shown to be necessary to serve the use of the building.

The building is not used for any residential purposes.

All building setback lines shall be increased one foot for each additional foot of building height in excess of 35 feet.

§ 275-15 Other regulations.

Building projections. All projections into any yard area, including window sills, cornices, cantilevered roofs, canopies, awnings, balconies, porches, stairs, shop windows, bay windows, chimneys and fire escapes, shall not exceed four feet maximum and may be permitted if required in the overall building and site design, subject to site plan review and approval.

§ 275-16 Landscaping.

Excepting the possible use of landscaping in buffer strips imposed under this article, no additional landscaping requirements are imposed under this zoning district.

Further provisions and standards for buffer strips are presented in Article XI and in § 275-95C.

§ 275-17 Parking.

The following parking space provisions are the minimum required for uses under this article. All parking spaces shall be off-street and on site.

Single-family dwelling units: two parking spaces.

Churches: one parking space for every three seats. If benches are used, one parking space for every 60 inches of seating space.

Public utilities: one parking space for each employee. If the site is unattended, at least one parking space shall be provided.

Home occupations. In addition to the parking space requirements for the single-family dwelling unit, one additional parking space for every 250 square feet of floor area, or portion thereof, used for the home occupation.

Professional home office. In addition to the parking space requirements for the single-family dwelling unit, one additional parking space for every 250 square feet of floor area, or portion thereof, used for the professional home office.

Roadside stand: three parking spaces, or one parking space for every 200 square feet of combined roadside stand and display area, whichever is greater.

Further provisions and standards for parking areas are presented in § 275-71.

§ 275-18 Signs.

In addition to the signs permitted in any zoning district by § 275-77, the following signs are also permitted in this zoning district for the corresponding uses listed below:

Churches, libraries, schools, public buildings: one on-site ground or wall sign, providing that the size shall not exceed 12 square feet, the setback from any property or right-of-way line shall not be less than 15 feet, and the sign shall not be lighted.

Professional home office: one on-site sign, providing that the size shall not exceed two square feet, the setback from any property or right-of-way line shall not be less than 15 feet, and the sign shall not be lighted.

All signs in this district are subject to the further rules, regulations, restrictions and standards of § 275-77.