Secaucus moves to require homes in its two main residential zones to be at least 25 feet wide; Planning Board reviews it tonight

SECAUCUS — The Secaucus Planning Board meets tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 20, to review an ordinance that would add a 25-foot minimum dwelling width to the town’s A Residential and B Residential zones.

Ordinance 2026-34 amends Section 135-7.1 of the town’s zoning code, which sets height, area and bulk rules for residential uses. It adds the same new line to the rules for both zones: “Minimum Dwelling Width: The minimum dwelling width shall be 25 feet.” The ordinance makes no change to the Low Density Residential Zone, according to the text in the council’s Oct. 13 agenda packet.

The ordinance gives one reason for the change: the Mayor and Council “have determined an amendment to Chapter 135 is necessary to properly regulate residential zoning in the Town regarding dwelling width.” The ordinance text does not define “dwelling width,” and it does not say how the new minimum would apply to existing homes narrower than 25 feet. Hudson TV will add the town’s explanation if it provides one.

How it got here

The council introduced the ordinance on first reading on Oct. 13. The same night, it passed a resolution referring the ordinance to the Planning Board for its recommendations under the state Municipal Land Use Law. The resolution says the board must send the council a report within 35 days. The resolution describes the proposal as changes to Sections 135-7.1 and 135-7.2 of the town code, but the ordinance text in the packet amends only Section 135-7.1.

The ordinance is the only business item on tonight’s Planning Board agenda, which lists “consideration of ordinance amending Chapter 135 ‘Zoning’ of the Code of the Town of Secaucus” regarding dwelling width. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in Chambers II at Secaucus Town Hall, 1203 Paterson Plank Road, according to the board’s web page and meeting schedule.

What happens next

The town clerk’s legal notice, published Oct. 19, sets the ordinance’s final public hearing and possible adoption for the council’s Nov. 10 meeting at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Government Center, 1203 Paterson Plank Road. Residents can speak for or against it then. The notice says copies of the ordinance are available from the town clerk.

Hudson TV asks: Should Secaucus require new homes in its A and B residential zones to be at least 25 feet wide? Reply A: Yes, set the minimum. Reply B: No, leave the rules as they are.
Share your take in the comments.

Have a tip? Send it to Hudson TV at hudsontv.com.

Curious what your Secaucus home is worth? Get a free estimate for your address at gardenstate.ai/value.