This bill aims to enhance the development and accessibility of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in New Jersey, recognizing their potential to address the state's housing demand. It mandates that municipalities create land use regulations that permit the construction of ADUs on properties zoned for single-family or two-family residential use, ensuring that existing regulations cannot restrict property owners from building these units. The bill defines key terms related to ADUs and outlines specific requirements, including size, height, and parking regulations. It also requires that applications for ADUs be processed as ministerial actions within 60 days, prohibiting unreasonable restrictions from municipalities and homeowners' associations.

Additionally, the bill amends existing housing legislation to clarify definitions and responsibilities related to low and moderate-income housing. It allows associations to impose design or landscaping conditions on ADUs, provided they do not exceed typical conditions or unreasonably increase costs. The legislation emphasizes the need for municipalities to include plans for affordable ADUs in their housing elements and updates the New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund to prioritize funding for these units. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline the approval process for ADUs while promoting affordable housing options for low- and moderate-income households.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:27D-304, 52:27D-311, 52:27D-320