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Bill > S2481
NJ S2481
NJ S2481"Home Business Jobs Creation Act"; classifies certain home businesses as permitted accessory uses.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill permits a home business to exist in a residential zone as a permitted accessory use, provided that the following conditions are met: (1) the activity is compatible with the residential use of the property and surrounding residential uses; (2) the volume of employees, invitees, or guests who visit the home business is not in excess of what is compatible with residential use in the neighborhood; (3) there is no outside appearance of a home business including, but not limited to, parking, signs, or lights; (4) the volume of deliveries, or truck and other vehicular traffic, or parking, is not in excess of what is normally associated with residential use in the neighborhood; (5) the activity uses no equipment or process that creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical or electronic interference, including interference with radio or television reception, detectable by any neighbors; (6) the activity does not generate any solid waste or sewage discharge, in volume or type, which is not normally associated with residential use in the neighborhood; (7) the activity does not involve any illegal activity; and (8) the home business complies with certain liability insurance provisions. The bill does not supersede provisions of the governing documents of a common interest ownership community that prohibit operation of a home business in a dwelling unit within the common interest ownership community. The bill does not require a municipality to amend an existing ordinance pertaining to home businesses provided that the ordinance does not conflict with the provisions of the bill. The bill allows a municipality, by ordinance, to establish standards for the customary volume of invitees or guests within residential districts, as well as standards for the volume of delivery or truck traffic and parking that are acceptable within residential districts. The bill does not limit the power of a municipality to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its residents, including the investigation and elimination of nuisances.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the "Home Business Jobs Creation Act," aims to allow home businesses to operate as permitted accessory uses in residential zones, meaning they are secondary to the primary residential purpose of the property, provided they meet several conditions designed to ensure compatibility with the neighborhood. These conditions include that the business activity must not negatively impact the residential character of the area, such as by having excessive employees or visitors, an outward appearance of a business (like signs or special parking), or an unusual amount of delivery or vehicular traffic. Furthermore, the business cannot produce noise, vibrations, fumes, odors, or interference with electronics detectable by neighbors, nor can it generate waste or sewage beyond what is typical for a residence, and it must not involve illegal activities. The bill also requires home businesses to comply with specific liability insurance provisions. Importantly, this act does not override existing rules in common interest ownership communities (like HOAs) that might prohibit home businesses, nor does it force municipalities to change their current ordinances unless those ordinances conflict with the bill's provisions. Municipalities are allowed to set specific standards for acceptable levels of visitors and traffic for home businesses, and the bill explicitly preserves a municipality's power to protect public health, safety, and welfare, including addressing nuisances.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S2481 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2500/2481_I1.HTM |
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