State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Dennis Baker, Defendant-Respondent

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the Appellate Division, holding that Plainfield's zoning ordinance prohibiting more than four unrelated persons in a single-family dwelling violates the New Jersey Constitution because the classification based on biological or legal relationships is not substantially related to the municipality's legitimate goals, and that the Baker household nonetheless satisfies the ordinance's remaining "single non‑profit housekeeping unit" requirement. A dissent argued the decision improperly relies on the state constitution and threatens homeowners' ability to limit multifamily occupancy.