PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton is moving ahead with an ordinance that would expand and clarify allowable business uses in zoning districts across the municipality.
The Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2026-18 at its Monday night meeting, which would amend sections of the former Borough of Princeton and former Township of Princeton codes.
Supporters of the ordinance shared that the changes could reduce uncertainty for business owners and help fill vacant storefronts.
Bill Hare, chair of the economic development team of Experience Princeton, said the group spent more than two years studying barriers that keep businesses from opening in town.
"For residents of Princeton, we should see fewer empty storefronts throughout Princeton because it will be easier to get a new business to open," Hare said.
Resident Caleb Firing called the proposal "a modest but important step toward a more diverse, lively, and walkable system."
Planning Director Justin Lesko told the Council that the proposal grew out of work by Experience Princeton and a consultant, along with municipal staff review.
He said the ordinance makes narrower changes now while broader zoning work continues.
"The changes proposed in this ordinance to uses allowed in certain business zones are probably more modest than some would like," Lesko said. He also said staff recommended waiting on larger changes "until the full code harmonization and modernization process takes shape over the next two years."
The measure adds or clarifies permitted uses in several districts, including craft production, spas, tutoring, test prep, fitness instruction, museums, some medical and dental offices, and certain research and development offices.
"It's important to business owners, as we've heard, looking to come to Princeton, that the use is allowed and that they won't get a surprise after they've already poured time and money into opening a business here," said Lesko.
He added that if a business "had to choose between Princeton and a town like Redbank or Somerville or Montclair to open, and they see their use listed in another town, but not exactly in Princeton's code, they'll take the certainty of the other town and open up there instead of here. And we obviously don't want that."
Lesko said the ordinance explicitly creates a category for certain craft uses in zones near Nassau Street and clarifies that uses already seen around town, including spas, tutoring, and gyms, are permitted.
He also said the ordinance would allow museums and similar cultural uses in the central business zone, adjust where medical and dental offices can operate in some zones, and permit some first-floor office use in the service business zone on the east end of Nassau Street, subject to limits.
The Planning Board reviewed the ordinance last week and found it substantially consistent with the master plan, according to Lesko.
Councilman Leighton Newlin said he supports addressing business and zoning issues, but raised concerns about how more tutoring, medical, and appointment-based uses could affect downtown.
He said he wants more community input on "what we, the people in Princeton, want our downtown to be."
Council President Michelle Pirone noted that "this is the beginning."
"This is a step in the right direction. Couldn't agree more that we need more input, more stakeholder input, and more planning, but this has been a big undertaking, and I think a learning experience," said Pirone.
View the full ordinance below:
ORDINANCE #2026-18 by Alexis Tarrazi
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