Harrington Park posts Ordinance 794-26: what changes in Chapter 85

Harrington Park has formally updated its local affordable-housing code.

On March 16, 2026, the Borough Council adopted Ordinance 794-26, which repeals and replaces Chapter 85 (“Affordable Housing”) of the Borough Code. On July 14, 2026, the borough posted the Notice of Adoption for Ordinance 794-26 on its mayor-and-council notices list, and the notice explains that a copy of the ordinance is available on the borough website or at the Borough Clerk’s Office.

What the ordinance adopted on March 16 says it does

The “Notice of Adoption” states that Ordinance 794-26 was adopted on second reading at the March 16, 2026 public meeting after a public hearing. It also says the ordinance is set to take effect upon passage and publication as provided by law.

In the adopted legal text, Ordinance 794-26 states that Chapter 85 is repealed and replaced to read in its entirety—so this is a repeal-and-replace code update, not a minor amendment.

When the change takes effect

In its final section, the ordinance says it “shall take effect immediately after final passage and publication” in the manner provided by law.

What residents and homeowners should look for next in the new Chapter 85

The updated Chapter 85 is built around New Jersey’s affordable-housing framework and the borough’s municipal Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan (HEFSP). For readers who want to understand what the “new code” does in practical terms, the ordinance text points to several areas to review, including:

• Applicability: which kinds of affordable-housing developments and affordable units the chapter covers.
• Affordability controls: the ordinance’s stated goal to apply affordability controls over time and require eligible households to occupy the units under statutory requirements.
• Monitoring and reporting: annual reporting requirements to the Department through the Affordable Housing Monitoring System (AHMS), including that reporting is due on or before February 15 each year for the prior year.
• Trust fund administration: rules describing the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the requirement that spending conform to a Spending Plan approved by Superior Court.
• Affirmative marketing timing: the ordinance states that the Affirmative Marketing Process for available affordable units must begin at least four months (120 days) prior to the expected date of occupancy.

Where to read the adoption notice and the full ordinance text

To verify the exact repeal-and-replace changes to Chapter 85 (and the specific deadlines and process language now in the code), use these borough documents:

• Notice of Adoption (Ordinance 794-26)
• Ordinance 794-26 (Adopted 03-16-2026) — the full adopted text replacing Chapter 85

As Harrington Park moves into administration under the updated chapter, residents and homeowners who follow housing policy may also want to watch for any additional borough steps that flow from the ordinance’s monitoring, reporting, and affirmative marketing requirements.

Sources

• Harrington Park “Notice of Adoption” (Ordinance 794-26) PDF