Skip to content
Jersey City

Jersey City Zoning Map & Districts 2026

Explore zoning districts, official map resources, and recent rezoning activity in Jersey City, NJ. ZoneWire monitors council meetings to track every zoning change.

Live records updated through August 11, 2026

Key facts: Jersey City land-use record

  • Jersey City approved 73% of 192 land-use decisions in the last 24 months.
  • Jersey City has 2 rezoning-related records across 2 recent public meetings tracked by ZoneWire.
  • The most recent tracked meeting in Jersey City was on August 11, 2026.

Updated with meetings through August 11, 2026.

Recent Rezoning Activity in Jersey City

Meetings
2
Rezoning Mentions
2
Last Detected
Mar 9, 2026

Zoning Districts in Jersey City

Zoning classifications used in this jurisdiction, from the adopted local code.

RH-1Residential Housing District (large lots)

Preserves the pattern, quality and architectural individuality of existing detached one- and two-unit structures on lots larger than the standard 25x100, discouraging subdivision and demolition.

RH-2Residential Housing District (typical lots)

Preserves the pattern, quality and architectural individuality of existing structures and discourages subdivision and demolition on typical-size lots.

R-1Neighborhood Housing District

Accommodates existing housing, encourages compatible in-fill and preserves the streetscape and on-street parking where lot frontage is narrow; applies across every ward in the city.

R-2Multi-Unit Attached Housing District (four stories or less)

Recognizes the existing pattern of attached multi-unit housing development and promotes compatible infill development.

R-3Multi-Unit Mid-Rise District

Provides a broad range of multi-unit housing (mid-rise buildings of three to eight stories) in areas served by arterial streets, mass transit, neighborhood commercial uses and community facilities, relating buildings to the street.

R-4Multi-Unit High-Rise District

Accommodates low, medium and high-rise multi-family housing in locations served by mass transit and adequate infrastructure to promote a mix of uses and dense urban activity.

RC-1Residential Commercial District 1 (three and four stories)

Recognizes historic mixed-use neighborhood business districts and continues to permit a mix of uses consistent with neighborhood centers along historic corridors.

RC-2Residential Commercial District 2 (four and five stories)

Recognizes and promotes the historic mixed-use neighborhood business districts that form distinct neighborhood centers throughout the city.

RC-3Residential Commercial District 3 (narrow lots, three and four stories)

Provides development regulations contextual to the existing predominantly two- to four-story multifamily neighborhood with occasional retail venues.

NC-1Neighborhood Commercial District 1 (five stories or less)

Recognizes the importance of neighborhood business districts and provides ground-floor commercial in mixed-use buildings to promote walkability.

NC-2Neighborhood Commercial District 2 (six stories or less)

Recognizes the importance of neighborhood business districts and provides ground-floor commercial in mixed-use buildings to promote walkability.

NC-3Neighborhood Commercial District 3 (110 feet or less)

Fosters a vibrant, accessible citywide activity district serving as a local and regional destination for business, retail, education, government, entertainment and transportation in a high-intensity urban context.

HCHighway Commercial District

Promotes desirable highway commercial uses, improves the appearance of the streetscape, buffers adjacent neighborhoods and reinforces the area's function as a gateway to Jersey City.

C/ACommercial/Automotive District

Upgrades the appearance and function of the Communipaw Avenue corridor through screening, buffering and sensitive site planning while accommodating retail and automotive-oriented uses.

IIndustrial District

Acknowledges areas with an existing concentration of industrial activity or where future industrial activity is planned.

PIPort Industrial District

Enhances and accommodates the city's working waterfront in Greenville, providing an area for current and future port activity served by extensive transportation facilities with buffering to protect nearby neighborhoods.

UUniversity District

Accommodates existing colleges and universities while preserving neighborhood stability and residential quality of life in areas bordering institutions of higher education.

MMedical District

Recognizes and accommodates existing and planned medical facilities.

GGovernment District

Recognizes the presence of government uses in neighborhoods throughout the city and identifies existing and planned government facilities of citywide significance.

P/OSParks/Open Space District

Acknowledges the city's existing inventory of parks and open space.

WPDWaterfront Planned Development

Identifies areas where redevelopment of water-oriented commercial, residential and recreational uses has occurred or has potential to occur, including high-cube warehousing in designated areas.

CCemetery District

Recognizes the presence of large and smaller historic cemeteries and their influence on land use in the surrounding areas.

DTDestination Tourism District

Supports the further development of the area as a national tourist attraction.

HHistoric District

Recognizes the special significance of neighborhoods with varied and well-preserved historic character.

Recent rezoning decisions in Jersey City

These parcels came up for a zoning decision in Jersey City in the last 30 days, often before they hit the market. See what changed, how the vote went, and hear the moment it happened. According to ZoneWire's analysis of official public meeting records, each decision below links to its timestamped source.

Jersey City · Aug 11, 2026

Approved · Unanimous

Preliminary and final major site plan at 547-555 Summit Avenue

Preliminary and final major site plan at 547-555 Summit Avenue, approved unanimously on Aug 11, 2026 in Jersey City.

Entitlement

Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.

Jersey City · Aug 11, 2026

Approved · Unanimous

Minor subdivision at 627 Palisade Avenue

Minor subdivision at 627 Palisade Avenue, approved unanimously on Aug 11, 2026 in Jersey City.

Variance

Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.

Jersey City · Aug 11, 2026

Approved · Unanimous

Preliminary major site plan with C variances at 714-716 Grand Street

Preliminary major site plan with C variances at 714-716 Grand Street, approved unanimously on Aug 11, 2026 in Jersey City.

VarianceEntitlement

Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.

Jersey City · Aug 6, 2026

Approved · 7-0

Variances and site plan for 12 Harman Street

Variances and site plan for 12 Harman Street, approved by a 7-0 vote on Aug 6, 2026 in Jersey City.

VarianceEntitlementDensity +

Your move: Higher-intensity use now allowed. Comp the parcel before the owner reprices.

Jersey City · Jul 28, 2026

Approved · Unanimous

Major subdivision at 235 16th Street (Holland Gardens Revitalization)

Major subdivision at 235 16th Street (Holland Gardens Revitalization), approved unanimously on Jul 28, 2026 in Jersey City.

Entitlement

Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.

Jersey City · Jul 28, 2026

Approved · Unanimous

Major site plan at 235 16th Street (Holland Gardens Revitalization)

Major site plan at 235 16th Street (Holland Gardens Revitalization), approved unanimously on Jul 28, 2026 in Jersey City.

Entitlement

Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.

What gets approved in Jersey City

In Jersey City, 73% of land-use board decisions were approved over the last 24 months. Variance clear 76%, Commercial / office / retail 83%. ZoneWire analyzed 192 land-use board decisions in Jersey City over the last 24 months. Here are the most active project types and how often each one clears.

Project typeDecisionsApproval rate
Variance5876%
Commercial / office / retail1283%
Land use / comp-plan amendment2556%
Multifamily / attached housing1968%
Mixed-use1894%
Single-family homes1173%
Subdivision / plat967%

3 decisions that went against the odds

These are the denials and deferrals in categories that usually sail through, the deals worth understanding before you commit capital.

Get free county alerts

Frequently Asked Questions

The official Jersey City zoning map is maintained by the local planning department. You can access the interactive GIS map at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/63717e4171904651a65fe9827fcb5571. ZoneWire also tracks rezoning activity discussed in council meetings.

Zoning districts in Jersey City include RH-1 (Residential Housing District (large lots)), RH-2 (Residential Housing District (typical lots)), R-1 (Neighborhood Housing District), R-2 (Multi-Unit Attached Housing District (four stories or less)), R-3 (Multi-Unit Mid-Rise District), R-4 (Multi-Unit High-Rise District), RC-1 (Residential Commercial District 1 (three and four stories)), RC-2 (Residential Commercial District 2 (four and five stories)). Each district has specific permitted uses, setbacks, and density requirements set by the local code.

ZoneWire reads every council meeting in Jersey City to detect rezoning discussions, variances, and zoning amendments. Start a free trial to receive alerts when rezoning activity is detected.

Zoning and land use in Jersey City are administered by the Department of Housing, Economic Development & Commerce, primarily through its Division of City Planning and Division of Zoning. Land use applications are decided by three volunteer boards: the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the Historic Preservation Commission. The Division of Zoning enforces and interprets the city's Zoning and Land Use Ordinances as well as Jersey City's redevelopment plans.

Jersey City's zoning regulations are set out in Chapter 345 (Zoning) of the city's Code of Ordinances, which is published online in the Municode Library. Chapter 345 covers the land use boards, zoning districts, and zoning and design standards. Related land development rules appear in other chapters of the Code, such as Chapter 299 (Subdivision of Land) and Chapter 56 (Planning Board).

The Division of Zoning issues two main types of approvals. A Zoning Determination Letter (ZDL) answers use-classification and ordinance-interpretation questions and is typically processed within 10 business days after assignment. A Zoning Review Application (ZRA) is required for anyone undertaking new construction, rehabilitation, tenant fit-out, solar panel installation, or other work that needs building permits. All applications are submitted through the Jersey City Online Permitting and Licensing Portal; the division does not accept in-person submissions.

The Planning Board hears applications such as site plans, subdivisions, site plan amendments, extensions, and signage-only reviews. The Zoning Board of Adjustment hears variances (with or without a site plan), appeals of zoning decisions, plus site plans, subdivisions, amendments, extensions, and signage-only reviews that require relief from the zoning ordinance. Applications for both boards are filed through the city's online permitting portal via the Division of City Planning.

The Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Historic Preservation Commission have historically met in person at the City Hall Annex Boardroom, 4 Jackson Square (also listed as 39 Kearny Avenue), Jersey City, NJ 07305. Beginning June 2026 the boards transitioned to online meetings held via Zoom. All meetings are conducted in accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, and agendas are posted on the Jersey City Open Data portal along with a published annual meeting calendar.

Yes. ZoneWire Free sends New Meeting Alerts for Jersey City at no cost, with the agenda for each meeting. ZoneWire Pro adds full transcripts, zoning and development analysis, and keyword alerts for $129 per market per month.

Never Miss a Zoning Change in Jersey City

ZoneWire monitors every council meeting in Jersey City and alerts you when zoning changes are discussed.

7-day free trial. Cancel anytime.

Get free alerts for Jersey City zoning meetings

Get an email when a new meeting is posted for Jersey City, with the agenda. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll email you an activation link — one click, no password, unsubscribe anytime.

or