Washington Township requires a Zoning Permit for:

• New structures including those less than 200 square feet;
• Additions to existing structures;
• Finishing interior spaces including basements, attics, and garages;
• Fences greater than 6 feet tall, around a swimming pool, in a front yard, or less than 50% open, meaning that a chain link fence or a split rail fence does not require a permit but a privacy fence does;
• Signs;
• Increase in impervious cover;
• New businesses or non-residential tenants;
• Change to a site plan (site plans are required for all uses besides single- and two- family residential); or
• Any other start or change of use on a property or construction, reconstruction, alteration, or conversion of any structure, building, or part thereof (217-124 of the Washington Township Code).

Application for Zoning Permits can be submitted online or in-person. The online applications are submitted through the SDL Portal. In-person applications must include, at a minimum:

• Completed and signed Application for Zoning Permit.
• Fee check made out to Washington Township. The fee amount is provided on the application form.
• A copy of your survey showing the proposed improvements (improvements can be hand drawn) OR a written description of the proposed use.
• Note that additional forms may be required for certain applications and properties as described in the list of Zoning Documents above.

Washington Township’s Online Zoning Map shows what zone your property is in. Search your property address in the upper right corner. Click on your property to make the information box appear. Click the right arrow once to see your zone.

The Schedule of Area, Yard, and Building Requirements identifies the setback requirements and improved lot coverage limits for your property. You will need to know the zone your property is in.

Yes, a Zoning Permit for a shed or other accessory structure less than 200 square feet requires a Zoning Permit but does not require Building Permits. The shed or structure must meet setback requirements for an accessory structure identified in the Schedule of Area, Yard, and Building Requirements and cannot be in your front yard.

A Zoning Permit is required for generators. The Zoning Officer will review the location of the generator. A copy of your survey showing the proposed generator location is required with your applications to the Building Department.

A zoning permit is required for a fence that is greater than 6 feet tall, around a swimming pool, in a front yard, or less than 50% open, meaning that a chain link fence or a split rail fence does not require a permit but a privacy fence does. The fence may be located 10 feet away from the roadway, 25 feet from intersections, and on your side and rear property lines.

Signs are allowed as provided in 159-42 of the Washington Township Code.

Home occupations are commercial endeavors than are located on the same lot as residential uses and are compatible with the property and neighborhood in which they are located and do not impair the underlying use of the property and neighborhood (111-46). There are two levels of home occupations: accessory use home occupations and conditional use occupations. Home occupations are described in 217-41 of the Washington Township Code.

Accessory use home occupations can be approved by the Zoning Officer and must meet the following requirements:

• The home occupation shall be clearly subordinate to the residential use.
• Such home occupation shall be conducted by the owner or tenant residing on the premises.
• No employees are permitted.
• No more than 25% of the total floor area of the primary residence, excluding the garage area, is allowed to be devoted to the home occupation.
• No outdoor storage or display of goods and materials is allowed.
• Only occasional client/customer visits to the property shall be permitted.
• No retail sales or rentals are permitted on the premises.
• Site plan approval is not required.
• Home occupation shall not cause any unreasonable off-site noise, odors, radiation, glare, radio interference, etc.
• Home occupations shall be allowed no more than two nonpassenger car deliveries per day, excluding United States mail delivery.
• No signs shall be permitted.
• No additional parking, other than that required for the residential use, shall be required.
• Any alteration to the dwelling for the home occupation shall maintain the residential character and appearance of the building.

Conditional use home occupations can be approved the Planning Board and must meet the following requirements:

• The applicant shall submit a site plan in accordance with Chapter 159, Site Plan Review and pay the application and review fees set forth therein for minor site plans.
• The home occupation shall be clearly subordinate to the residential use.
• Such home occupation shall be conducted by the owner or tenant residing on the premises.
• No more than three people, including employees, per lot at any one time shall be engaged in the home occupation.
• No more than 25% of the total floor area of the primary residence, excluding the garage area, is allowed to be devoted to the home occupation.
• No outdoor storage or display of goods or materials is allowed.
• No home occupation is permitted in multifamily buildings.
• Any classes, lessons, tutoring or the like shall be limited to no more than three students/clients at a time.
• No retail sales or rentals are permitted on the premises, except in connection with services being rendered.
• Home occupation shall not create any unreasonable off-site noise, odors, radiation, glare, radio interference, etc.
• Home occupations shall be allowed no more than two nonpassenger vehicle deliveries per day, excluding United States mail delivery.
• Only one sign is permitted with an area of no more than two square feet per §217-42 of this chapter.
• Adequate parking shall be provided and shall be screened from adjacent residential uses pursuant to § 217-46A of this chapter and Chapter 159, Site Plan Review, Article VII, Design Details.
• The hours of operation of the home occupation shall be limited from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Any alteration to the dwelling for the home occupation shall maintain the residential character and appearance of the building.
• Only one home occupation is permitted per lot at any one time.
• Approval from the Board of Health is required, especially with regard to on-site waste disposal systems, if applicable.

Uses that are more intense than what is described above would require a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

The Town may have a copy of your survey on file. Please submit an OPRA Request requesting a copy of your property’s survey.

Washington Township’s Online Zoning Map may be used in place of a survey in some cases. The property lines shown on the Online Zoning Map are not as accurate as a survey. The Online Zoning Map can only be used when the proposed structure or addition unquestionably meets area, yard, and building requirements.

The Washington Township Code defines “improved lot coverage” as “That portion of one or more than one lot which is improved with impervious surfaces (see § 111-46), including but not limited to principal and accessory buildings and structures, any concrete, asphalt or stoned parking area, driveway, road or sidewalk, pools, brick or concrete pavers, decks, balconies, patios and any other man-made impervious surfaces on the ground surface” (111-46).

Washington Township’s Online Zoning Map may be used to calculate the improved lot coverage on your property.  Search your property address in the upper right corner. Use the icon in the lower left corner with four white squares to change the base map to imagery. Use the icon in the lower left corner with a ruler to measure the area of your property covered with improved lot coverage. Divide this area by your lot size to get the percent improved lot coverage. This method is acceptable as long as the percent improved lot coverage is safely below the limit provided in the Schedule of Area, Yard, and Building Requirements. If the percent of improved lot coverage on your property is close to or exceeds the limit, a professional calculation using a survey is required.

The principal permitted uses, permitted accessory uses, and conditional uses of each zone are available in Chapter 217 Zoning, Article III Use Regulations of the Washington Township Code. Use Washington Township’s Online Zoning Map to determine what zone your property is in.

While a use may be allowed on your property as a principal permitted use, all uses other than single- or two-family homes require site plan review by the Planning Board.

Permitted accessory uses are only allowed in conjunction with a principal permitted use. For example, a property cannot contain only a parking area or a sign.

Conditional uses must meet the conditions provided in Chapter 217 Zoning, Article VII Conditional Uses of the Washington Township Code. A use that meets all the conditions requires review and approval by the Planning Board. A use that does not meet one or more conditions requires review and approval by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

In accordance with 159-4 of the Washington Township Code, site plan review is required by the Planning Board for all developments other than individual single- or two-family structures, construction of a parking area for less than four vehicles, construction on Township property, or for which a waiver of site plan has been granted in accordance with §159-5 Waiver of Requirements in the Washington Township Code. Signs may also be exempt from site plan approval requirements, provided that: the proposed signs conform to the requirements set forth in 159-32; the proposed signs are not to be erected or installed in conjunction with other improvements requiring site plan approval; and the proposed sign installation is approved and a permit issued by the Construction Official.

159-5 Waiver of Requirements allows the Zoning Officer to waive site plan review requirements or refer the waiver request to the Planning Board if the proposed development meets the requirements described in the ordinance.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment can grant variances for a new structure, addition, or use that does not comply with the zoning ordinance. The Zoning Board, not the Zoning Officer, has the ability to review the proposed improvements or use to determine if it can be allowed on your specific property. Variances related to the Schedule of Area, Yard, and Building Requirements for single- and two family homes must show that you will suffer a “hardship” if you are not granted the variance. The hardship must be related to the narrowness, shallowness, or irregular shape of your property; an exceptional topographic condition; or other unique conditions or physical features affecting the property. Hardships generally cannot relate to any personal or financial hardship. A use variance must show that the property is particularly suitable for the proposed use and that it won’t cause substantial detriment to the public good and won’t substantially impair the intent and purpose of the municipal zoning ordinance and municipal master plan. More information on the application to the Zoning Board of Adjustment is available under “Board of Adjustment” on the Township Forms and Documents page. Questions can be directed to the Land Use Coordinator at landuse@wtmorris.net.

A setback variance that is part of a site plan for a non-residential property can be reviewed by the Planning Board. More information on the application to the Planning Board is available under “Planning Board” on the Township Forms and Documents page. Questions can be directed to the Land Use Coordinator at landuse@wtmorris.net.

A “grandfathered” use requires a Certificate of Nonconforming Use. The Zoning Officer can grant the Certificate within one year of the ordinance change that created the nonconforming use. After one year, the Zoning Board of Adjustment can grant the Certificate.

A nonconforming structure can be maintained and repaired. However, it cannot be expanded or rebuilt if it is removed intentionally or by accident (such as a fire).

Removing trees on your property is restricted if the trees are in the Ridgeline Protection Zone, a conservation easement, or a shade tree easement. The Ridgeline Protection Zone and conservation easements are shown on the Washington Township’s Online Zoning Map. A shade tree easement should be shown on your property’s survey.

Township Engineer is required if tree removal results in more than 5,000 square feet of ground disturbance.

The Township of Washington has over 600 conservation easements in place to protect plant and animal habitats, wetlands and steep slopes amongst other natural features. Placing structures and clearing vegetation in conservation easements are restricted. The following links provide more information on conservation easements:

• Easement Information Brochure
• Washington Township’s Online Zoning Map (Select “Conservation Easements” in the Layer List)
• Easement Map
• Easement Inventory

Wetlands, up to 150 feet from wetlands called the transition area, waterbodies, up to 300 feet from waterbodies called the riparian zone, and floodplains are regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Division of Land Resource Protection. New impervious cover or structures in these areas must be referred to the NJDEP for guidance. More information is available here: https://www.nj.gov/dep/landuse/.

Ridgeline, mountainside, hillside, and viewshed protection areas are designed to preserve the existing predominantly unspoiled vistas of wooded mountainsides, hillsides, ridgelines, and viewsheds within the Township of Washington when viewed from public areas or public open space or the public traveled way. The Ridgeline Protection Zone and conservation easements are shown on the Washington Township’s Online Zoning Map.

Township Engineer Review may be required for new accessory structures greater than 200 square feet, additions that increase the habitable floor area of a dwelling by more than 25%, and pools involving more than 2,000 square feet of disturbance and clearing. More information is available in 217-38 of the Washington Township Code.

The Washington Township Historic Preservation Commission oversees changes involving existing properties and new construction within three historic districts and several individual sites. Email the Historic Preservation Commission at HPC@wtmorris.net for more information.

The Highlands Water protection and Planning Act was enacted on August 10, 2004 with the purpose of protecting the region's great wealth of natural resources, including the waterbodies that supply drinking water to more than half of the state's population.

A development in the Highlands Preservation area that results in greater than 0.25 acres of land disturbance requires a Highlands Exemption Determination Application.

A development that does not meet the requirements of an exemption listed in the Highlands Exemption Determination Application requires further guidance from the Highlands Council.

Please direct all noise complaints, including roosters and farm-related noise, to the Police Department’s non-emergency number 908-876-3232.

114-8 Storage of Certain Items Prohibited of the Washington Township Code prohibits the dumping of furniture curbside. It states "in residential zones, no person, firm or corporation shall store or permit the storage of any out-of-service bulky items such as appliances, furniture, mattresses or tires, except in a fully enclosed structure." 

Here are some options that are available instead:

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Bring your donations to your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore or arrange a pick-up.

Warren County ReStore
390 Route 57 West
Washington, New Jersey 07882  
Phone: (908) 835-1980

Warren County HFH ReStore
31 Belvidere Ave
Washington Boro, New Jersey 07882   
Phone: (908) 835-1338

Morris HFH ReStore2
74 S Salem St Ste 100
Randolph, New Jersey 07869  
Phone: (973) 366-3358

Salvation Army

Call 1-800-SA-TRUCK for pick up services from the Salvation Army.

Trash pickup companies servicing Washington Township

Global Waste Industries
679 Washington St
Hackettstown, NJ 07840 
Phone: (908) 684-8813

Republic Services of NJ, Raritan Valley Disposal Division
9 Frontage Road, Clinton, NJ 08809   
PhoneL (908) 534-4004

Sanico, Inc.
77 US Hwy 46
Delaware, NJ 07833  
Phone: (908) 475-3300

Waste Management
409 Rt 22 East
Whitehouse Station, NJ   
Phone: (908) 879-5616