The Schedule of Area, Bulk and Yard Requirements is included as an attachment to this chapter.
A.Â
New structures and additions.
[Amended 5-28-1980 by Ord. No. 20-80; 10-23-2019 by Ord. No. 26-19]
(1)Â
New structures. Notwithstanding any of
the provisions of this article, any lot existing as a separate isolated
lot under separate ownership and not adjoining any other lot or lots
of the same owner and which lot is a nonconforming lot due to size,
shape or area may be improved with a new building or structure in
accordance with this chapter, provided that all bulk standards for
the zone can be complied with and further that the building meets
all other requirements of this chapter.
(2)Â
Additions. Where a lot exists as a separate
isolated lot under separate ownership and not adjoining any other
lot or lots of the same owner and is improved with a building or structure
which is nonconforming, said lot may be further improved by an addition
to said building or structure or any accessory building or structure,
provided that the proposed improvements meet the current bulk standards
for the zone. A vertical and/or horizontal extension or exacerbation
of any preexisting nonconforming setback shall constitute a violation
of the current setback requirement and therefore shall require bulk
variance relief. The Construction Official of the Township of Morris
is hereby authorized and empowered to issue any necessary construction
permits in accordance with the provisions of this section, provided
that all other requirements of this chapter are met.
B.Â
Lot width. On regularly shaped lots, the minimum lot
width of any lot shall be measured at the front property line and
minimum front yard setback line as required for the zone in which
it is located and shall be maintained for a distance of 40 feet to
the rear of the required setback line. In cases of lots fronting on
culs-de-sac, which are turnarounds at the end of streets with a single
ingress and egress, the lot frontage measured at the street right-of-way
line shall not be less than 50% of the required minimum lot width
or 75 feet, whichever is greater.
C.Â
Corner lots. At all street intersections, no obstruction
to vision exceeding 30 inches in height above the established grade
of the street at the property line shall be erected or maintained
on any lot within the area bounded by the line drawn between points
along such street lot line or the extension thereof 30 feet distant
from their intersection. The determination of the front yard of a
corner lot shall be at the option of the owner or developer and shall
be so designated on all maps and official records. On any corner lot,
the narrowest dimension permitted within its zone shall be increased
by 25 feet beyond that required for a minimum lot.
D.Â
Through lots. A through lot shall be considered as having two street frontages, both of which shall be subject to the front yard requirements of this chapter. Where a lot is bounded on three or more sides by roads, the side opposite the front yard shall be considered the rear yard, and the minimum rear yard setback shall be maintained. The remaining frontage(s) shall be considered the side yard(s), and the front yard setback(s) for the side street(s) shall be maintained, except that the Planning Board may permit parking in these side yard areas, except that in OL Zones this parking shall not be closer than 25 feet to the right-of-way line. Buffer zone requirements established in Chapter 57, Land Development, shall be followed where uses abut a single-family residential zone.
E.Â
Required area or space cannot be reduced. The area
or dimension of any lot, yard, parking area or other space shall not
be reduced to less than the minimum required by this chapter, and,
if already existing as less than the minimum required by this chapter,
said area or dimension may be continued and shall not be further reduced.
F.Â
Frontage upon a street. Every principal building shall
be built upon a lot with the minimum required frontage upon an improved
and approved street in accordance with the street standards established
by the Township of Morris.
A.Â
General application. No building or structure shall
have a greater number of feet in height than are permitted in the
zone where such building or structure is located.
[Amended 8-14-1985 by Ord. No. 27-85]
B.Â
Permitted exceptions. Subject to the requirements of this Subsection B, height limitations stipulated elsewhere in this chapter shall not apply to the following:
[Amended 12-19-2012 by Ord. No. 21-12; 12-16-2020 by Ord. No. 27-20]
(1)Â
Spires, belfries, cupolas, domes, monuments, historic edifices and
flagpoles, provided that they do not extend more than 15 feet above
the adjoining roof surfaces.
(2)Â
Chimneys, provided that they extend no higher above the top of the
roof section to which they are attached than the greater of four feet
or the minimum vertical distance required to conform to Uniform Construction
Code requirements.
(3)Â
Fire towers within public parklands.
(4)Â
Private radio and antennas, but only to the extent required to conform
to applicable Federal Communications Commission requirements.
(5)Â
Tanks, towers, and standpipes used to store public water supplies
for domestic consumption, industrial use, or firefighting.
(6)Â
Overhead distribution systems for electric, cable television, and/or
communications services subject to regulations by the Board of Public
Utilities.
(7)Â
Elevator penthouses, stair towers, and roof-mounted tanks and mechanical
equipment, such as condensers, exhaust fans, other air-conditioning
equipment, and other similar equipment, provided that they extend
no more than 15 feet above the roof surface.
(a)Â
Do not extend more than 15 feet above the adjoining roof surface;
(b)Â
Cover no more than 20% of the building's roof area; and
(c)Â
Are properly shielded from view from adjoining streets and properties
by a screen or parapet wall extending not more than 15 feet above
the adjoining roof surface.
(8)Â
Parapets, railings, copings, balustrades, cornices, and other similar
roof projections up to three feet in height above the roof surface.
A.Â
General.
(1)Â
Required yards shall be open to the sky, unobstructed
except for the ordinary projection of parapets, windowsills, door
posts, rainwater leaders and similar ornamental or structural fixtures
which may not project more than one foot into such yards or as may
otherwise be permitted in this chapter. Parking is permitted except
where otherwise prohibited by this chapter.
(2)Â
Cornices, eaves, bay windows, balconies
and uncovered stairways may project not more than two feet over any
required yard. No variance from the front yard setback requirements
of the Zoning Ordinance shall be required for an open porch added
to an existing detached single-family dwelling, provided that the
following conditions are met:
[Amended 12-18-2019 by Ord. No. 29-19]
(b)Â
The porch shall not exceed a width
of eight feet or a depth of five feet. The height shall be such that
the underside of the porch covering is not more than 10 feet above
the porch floor.
(c)Â
The porch shall not protrude more
than six feet into the minimum required front yard for the zone in
which it is located.
(3)Â
Chimneys, flues, or outdoor barbecues may be erected
within any yard, provided that they do not exceed 75 square feet in
aggregate external area. Patios may not be located closer than five
feet to any property line.
B.Â
Front yard requirements affected by Official Map or
Master Plan. Where any lot fronts on a street right-of-way which is
proposed to be widened as indicated on the Official Map of the Township
of Morris, in the Master Plan of the Township of Morris, in the Master
Plan of Morris County or by the State of New Jersey, as adopted by
the appropriate agency pursuant to law, the front and rear yard of
any interior lot or side yard of a corner lot in such zone shall be
measured from such proposed future right-of-way line.
C.Â
Side yard exceptions. Any corner lot shall provide
a side street setback line which shall be the same as the minimum
front yard required on any adjoining lot fronting on the side street.
Parking may be permitted within this area, except that in the OL Zones
the parking shall not be closer than 25 feet to a right-of-way line.
[Amended 12-12-1979 by Ord. No. 39-79]
A.Â
The maximum lot coverage on each lot shall not be
greater than is permitted in the zone where such buildings and structures
are located and shall include all porches, chimneys, extensions and
accessory buildings and structures.
B.Â
In all zones, in connection with every industrial,
business, institutional, recreational, residential or other use, the
maximum permitted lot coverage of principal and accessory buildings
and structures and improved areas, including off-street parking and
loading areas, driveways and other impervious surfaces, shall not
exceed 75% of the total lot or parcel, except where otherwise provided.
[Amended 3-28-1979 by Ord. No. 2-79]
There shall not be more than one principal structure
on each lot in any zone, except as permitted for development groups.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
chapter, no building or structure shall hereinafter be erected, moved,
altered, added to or enlarged within a distance of 25 feet from the
high-water mark of a watercourse or other body of water. In addition,
an easement of not less than 15 feet along each side or edge of said
watercourse or other body of water shall be provided. No building,
structure or other impervious areas shall be permitted to be constructed
within said easement or restricted area.