Accessory Building Construction in Point Pleasant, NJ

You’re looking for Accessory Building Construction because you ran out of room. Living in Point Pleasant Beach, Manasquan, or the Jersey Shore is great, but space is tight. You need room for guests, bikes, or surfboards, but you don’t want an ugly box in the yard and you don’t want to move. A custom designed and built ADU could be the perfect solution.

Whether you want a new detached garage or pool house, a “backyard bungalow” for the in-laws, or a “coastal cottage” for rental income, we design the structure to fit your property. If you live in a classic shore town like Bay Head or Mantoloking, we can match your main home’s cedar shake siding so it looks original, or build something unique that really stands out.

Building near the ocean is tough because of Strict Zoning Rules and Impervious Surface Limits. If you cover too much grass with concrete, the town will say no. Gambrick Construction has been building here for over 30 years, so we handle the math for you. We check the FEMA Flood Maps and soil conditions—often installing wood or helical piles for stability—and manage the CAFRA permits so you get the space you need without the headache.

What Counts as an Accessory Building?

An Accessory Building is basically any structure that isn’t your main house. But at the Jersey Shore, we aren’t talking about plastic sheds. We’re talking about high-end, custom living spaces that add real value to your property.

Here are the most popular types we build in Ocean County and Monmouth County:

1. Custom Pool Houses & Guest Cabanas

Summer is why we live here. We build custom Pool Houses that serve as the hub for your backyard entertaining. Unlike a simple pavilion, these can be built with electric, plumbing, and HVAC, as well as durable, storm-ready materials like James Hardie Siding, Azek trim, and impact-resistant windows from Andersen or Marvin to handle the salt air and seasonal storms.

The Local Rule: In towns like Point Pleasant Beach, you generally cannot have a full kitchen stove in a pool house (that makes it a rental unit). However, we design legal “Guest Cabanas” with changing rooms, bathrooms with full showers, and wet bars that give your guests total comfort while keeping the Zoning Officer happy.

2. Garage Conversions & Carriage Houses

In towns like Manasquan, Avon, and Sea Girt, parking can be hard to find in summer. You don’t want to lose your garage, but you need more room. The solution is a Carriage House. We build a new finished space right on top of your existing detached garage. You keep the parking spots below, but gain a home office, gym, or guest suite above. It’s the most cost-effective way to double your usable space.

3. Detached Guest Cottages

Popular in Bay Head and Mantoloking on larger lots, these are standalone structures built behind the primary house. We design them to match the main house perfectly—using the same cedar shakes, roof pitch, and trim. It gives your guests total privacy while keeping the property looking high-end.

Many cottages feature all the amenities of the main house including a kitchen, multiple small bedrooms, full bathrooms, and a living room.

4. “Mother-in-Law” Suites

Families are coming back together. A Mother-in-Law Suite has its own separate entrance, even when attached to the main house. It is designed for “aging in place,” meaning we can install wider doors and accessible bathrooms so your parents can live independently while staying close by.

5. Garden Studios & “She Sheds”

You need a quiet place to work or relax, but your house is full of summer guests. We build custom Garden Studios—often called “She Sheds”—that give you a private retreat in the backyard. These aren’t flimsy kits from a box store. We frame them like a real house with insulation, electric, built-in storage, and mini-split heating/cooling so you can use them all year. Some larger “She Sheds” can even have a bathroom.

The Hard Part: Permits, Zoning & ADU Rules

Most builders hate accessory structures because they’re hyper-local. In New Jersey, there is no statewide law for ADUs. Local Rules are King. Every town, from Point Pleasant Beach to Long Branch, writes its own code, so it pays to hire a local Jersey Shore builder like Gambrick Construction. We’ve been building ADUs at the Shore for over 3 decades and understand local zoning regulations, rules, and permit requirements.

Even within a single town, the rules for an ADU can vary. Here in Point Pleasant Beach, regulations change block by block. Main Street, known for its shops, boutiques, cafes, and famous antique stores, has different rules than the Boardwalk, the Library Section, or the Lakes.

Here are the big hurdles we handle for you:

1. The “Fine Print” for ADUs

If you want to build a living space with a kitchen (an ADU), the rules get strict. While Asbury Park allows them with specific licenses, towns like Manasquan or Bay Head have different caps. Here is what we usually face:

• Size Limits: Most towns cap detached units around 800 sq ft. They don’t want a second mansion in your backyard.
• Owner Occupancy: This is a big one. To stop investors from turning neighborhoods into hotels, many towns require you (the owner) to live in either the main house or the ADU.
• Parking: You usually need to provide 1 off-street parking spot for the new unit. If your driveway is already full, we have to get creative.
• Design Matching: It’s not just about style; it’s often the law. Many zoning boards require the new structure to match the siding, roof pitch, and colors of your main home exactly.

2. Lot Coverage (The “Impervious” Limit)

This is the number one reason projects get denied. Towns limit how much of your land can be covered by things that water can’t soak through (like concrete, asphalt, and roofs)—this is called impervious coverage. If you are already at your limit with your driveway, main home, and a pool, adding a garage might be illegal without a variance.

We calculate this exact number first. If you are over the limit, we may be able to help by replacing solid concrete with permeable pavers to make the math work.

3. Side Yard Setbacks

You usually cannot build a structure right up to your fence. Fire codes often require a 5-foot or 10-foot gap between your new Carriage House and the property line. In Sea Girt, these rules change depending on your specific street. We survey your property lines before we design so you don’t have to tear it down later.

4. Variances & CAFRA

Sometimes, what you want to build technically breaks a rule. That means you need a Variance. This involves going before the town planning board to ask for permission. If you are near the water, you might also need a CAFRA permit from the state. We handle these applications for you and talk to the Zoning Officer directly so you get definitive answers, not guesses.

How We Build Accessory Structures (The Process)

Building an ADU or Pool House at the Jersey Shore is complex. It’s governed by local town ordinances, not just state law. While some towns are starting to embrace them, most coastal areas have strict rules about impervious lot coverage, flood zones, and parking.

Here is how we navigate the process, from the first soil boring to the final coat of paint.

Phase 1: Feasibility & The “Shore” Factors

Before we draw a single line, we have to see if your land can handle the structure. We look at:

• Zoning Check: We review the specific code for your town (e.g., Manasquan vs. Bay Head). Does your lot allow a detached structure? What are the setbacks?
• The Water Table: In coastal towns, the water is often just a few feet down. We check if we can pour a standard slab or if we need to elevate the structure.
• Sewer vs. Septic: If you aren’t on city sewer, the Ocean County Health Department might block a new bathroom unless you upgrade your septic system. We check this first.

Phase 2: Design & Engineering (Looks + Durability)

Once we know what’s legal, we focus on what looks good. An accessory building shouldn’t look like an afterthought. We design the roof lines, siding, and trim details to match your existing home perfectly.

Built for the Salt Air:
An ADU has to look great, but it also has to survive the Jersey Shore weather. We specify high-end, low-maintenance materials that won’t rot, fade, or degrade from the salty air:

• Windows & Doors: We use impact-rated units from Andersen or Marvin that can handle hurricane-force winds.
• Siding & Trim: We often use real cedar shakes for that classic shore look, James Hardie fiber cement for more durability, or Azek trim that never needs painting.
• Decks & Roofs: We install Trex composite decking for durability and often use metal roofing accents to add a modern, high-end touch that can withstand wind speeds of over 130 mph.

The Engineering:
Because we’re in a high-wind zone, we design for Coastal Storms. This means calculating wind loads and designing a strong foundation based on the specific soil conditions in your yard. We also plan the utilities—deciding if the new unit needs its own electric meter (smart for rentals) or if we can trench from the main house.

Phase 3: Permits & Variances

This is where projects usually stall, but we keep them moving. We submit the Zoning Permit application first. If your design fits the rules, great. If not (maybe you are 2 feet too close to the fence), we apply for a Variance.

We handle the hearings with the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Once zoning is cleared, we submit the detailed architectural, plumbing, and electric plans to get the final green light.

Phase 4: The Build (Foundations & Framing)

Building by the ocean is different than building inland.

• Foundation: In flood zones (V-Zone or A-Zone), we often use a “pier-and-beam” foundation or helical piles to lift the structure above the BFE (Base Flood Elevation).
• Framing: We use corrosion-resistant hardware. That means stainless steel nails and hurricane straps that won’t rot out in the salt air.
• Siding: We install durable materials like James Hardie or NuCedar that mimic wood but survive the weather.

Phase 5: The Finish Line

After the municipality passes our framing, electric, and plumbing inspections, we finish the interior. The final step is the Certificate of Occupancy (CO). Without this piece of paper, no one can legally sleep there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Service Areas

Gambrick Construction is proudly based in Point Pleasant, NJ. To maintain our high standards of quality control and daily site supervision, our core service area focuses on the coastal communities of Monmouth and Ocean County.

Statewide Projects: While our daily operations are concentrated along the Jersey Shore, we accept select large-scale custom home and renovation projects throughout New Jersey, including Bergen, Essex, and Mercer Counties, on a case-by-case basis.

Ready to Get Started? Let’s talk about how we can help.

Call 732-892-1386 or contact us online today.