What is the minimum lot size in Chatham, NJ?

In Chatham's single-family zones: R-1 requires 15,000 sq ft; R-2 requires 9,300 sq ft; R-3 requires 7,500 sq ft; R-4 requires 9,300 sq ft; R-1 requires 100,000 sq ft; R-1A requires 100,000 sq ft; R-2 requires 60,000 sq ft; R-2B-1 requires 60,000 sq ft. Undersized existing lots may still be buildable under the ordinance, so check your specific lot.

How big a house can I build in Chatham, NJ?

It depends on the zone, lot size, setbacks, building coverage, height and any floor area limit. Enter an address in our free lot check to get a rough maximum home size for that lot in Chatham.

Chatham, NJ Zoning: Minimum Lot Sizes, Setbacks & What You Can Build

Single-Family Zones

Borough of Chatham zoning, zone by zone.

Zone	Min lot (sq ft)	Min width	Front	Side (each / total)	Rear	Height
R-1 Residence R-1 (single-family)	15,000	100 ft	30 ft	12 ft	30 ft	35 ft / 2.5 st
R-2 Residence R-2 (single-family)	9,300	75 ft	30 ft	12 ft	30 ft	35 ft / 2.5 st
R-3 Residence R-3 (single-family)	7,500	60 ft	30 ft	12 ft	30 ft	35 ft / 2.5 st
R-4 Residence R-4 (single-family)	9,300	75 ft	30 ft	12 ft	30 ft	35 ft / 2.5 st

Source: Chapter 165 Zoning, Article IV Residential District Regulations. Read 2026-09-28. Only zones we could confirm from the ordinance are shown. Rules change and have exceptions (corner lots, undersized lots, steep slopes, overlays), so confirm with the town zoning officer before you buy or design.

Single-Family Zones

Township of Chatham zoning, zone by zone.

Zone	Min lot (sq ft)	Min width	Front	Side (each / total)	Rear	Height
R-1 R-1 Residence (one-family, conventional lot)	100,000	250 ft	100 ft	35 ft	75 ft	35 ft / 2.5 st
R-1A R-1A Residence (one-family)	100,000	250 ft	100 ft	35 ft	75 ft	35 ft / 2.5 st
R-2 R-2 Residence (one-family)	60,000	200 ft	75 ft	30 ft	75 ft	35 ft / 2.5 st
R-2B-1 R-2B-1 Residence (one-family)	60,000	200 ft	75 ft	30 ft	75 ft	35 ft / 2.5 st
R-2B-2 R-2B-2 Residence (one-family)	60,000	200 ft	75 ft	30 ft	75 ft	35 ft / 2.5 st
R-3 R-3 Residence (one-family)	20,000	100 ft	50 ft	15 ft	50 ft	35 ft / 2.5 st
R-3 AH R-3 AH Residence (one-family, affordable-housing related)	20,000	100 ft	30 ft	15 ft	50 ft	35 ft / 2.5 st
R-4 R-4 Residence (one-family)	10,000	75 ft	25 ft	15 ft	45 ft	35 ft / 2.5 st
R-5 R-5 Residence (one-family)	41,250	150 ft	75 ft	25 ft	75 ft	35 ft / 2.5 st
R-5A R-5A Residence (one-family; senior housing option §30-78.12)	41,250	150 ft	75 ft	25 ft	75 ft	35 ft / 2.5 st

Source: Chapter 30 Land Development, Attachment 4 - Appendix I Schedule of Zoning Requirements (town-hosted copy of the eCode360 attachment); coverage and multifamily rules from Article VII Zoning Regulations (https://ecode360.com/35304966), Appendix I amended 7-9-2020 (Ord. 2020-11) and 10-14-2021 (Ord. 2021-19), Supplement 2, Dec 2021; §30-78.11 building coverage amended 11-18-2021 (Ord. 2021-24). Read 2026-09-28. Only zones we could confirm from the ordinance are shown. Rules change and have exceptions (corner lots, undersized lots, steep slopes, overlays), so confirm with the town zoning officer before you buy or design.

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