Is my front yard parking space or driveway legal?
In
no instance has it ever been permitted for a car to park on the sidewalk.
Prior to 2000, front yard parking was permitted for 1- and 2-dwelling unit buildings as long as there was 18 feet between the building and the front property line. From 2000 onwards, the Division of Zoning prohibited front yard parking altogether. Therefore, no new front yard parking spaces were approved after 2000. If a front yard parking space was created after 2000, it will either need to be shown that it is legally non-conforming or a violation will be issued.
Driveways are the vehicular access to a garage or parking space. All residential "R" zones in Jersey City permit a maximum 10 feet wide curb cut. The Division of Parking issues permits for residents to park overnight in front of their driveway. Jersey City, through the Department of Public Works, also offers driveway paintings. Both of these applications require verification from the Division of Zoning that you have a legal
or legally non-conforming driveway.
A
(1) legal driveway and
(2) legal non-conforming front yard parking space approval is granted by confirming one of the following:
- You have a legal driveway that has access to a garage, side yard, or rear yard parking
- There is an official Zoning approval on record meaning that prior to 2000, a zoning inspector issued a determination based on the fact that your driveway met the minimum 18 feet requirement
- You can show photographic proof that your front yard parking space existed before 2000, and was a minimum of 18 feet deep
Approval will not be granted for any front yard parking that is less than 18 feet, unless it can be shown that it was legally allowed to be through a former approval.
In order to obtain an approval from this office for a determination regarding the legality of your driveway or front yard parking, an application for a
Zoning Determination Letter - Driveway must be submitted.
This Division maintains a list of approved driveways and carports that can be accessed
here. Please note that being on this list does NOT take the place of a formal approval. A formal approval can only be obtained through filing for a
Zoning Determination Letter - Driveway.