Chester Borough · Morris County
Real Estate & Housing
Chester Borough is a compact 1.6-square-mile housing market wrapped around a historic village. Its homes range from older houses near Main Street and the historic district to established residential streets, small-lot neighborhoods and selected townhouse, multifamily and affordable-housing opportunities.
Because Chester Township completely surrounds the Borough and shares ZIP code 07930, buyers should confirm the legal municipality before relying on market statistics, property taxes, zoning, school information or municipal requirements.
Chester Borough Housing Guide2026 market snapshot
2026 reassessment
Property taxes
Buying due diligence
Smoke/CO resale inspection
Zoning & permits
Historic district
Water, sewer, wells & septic
Flood-risk review
Affordable housing
Schools & commuting
Real estate professionals
Chester Borough is not the same housing market as Chester Township. Both use Chester, NJ 07930 addresses, but the Borough is the compact historic municipality while the Township is a much larger surrounding residential and rural municipality. Always verify the block/lot and municipality for a property.
2026 Chester Borough Market Snapshot
Small municipalities can produce volatile monthly housing statistics because only a handful of transactions may close in a given period. NJTGO therefore labels the source and time period clearly.
$513,920Median Sale PriceRedfin Chester market · 3 months ending June 2026
22 daysMedian Days on MarketRedfin · 3-month calculation through June 2026
4Homes Sold in JuneRedfin · June 2026
$327/sq. ft.Median Sale Price / Sq. Ft.Redfin · June 2026
Use ZIP-wide figures carefully: Realtor.com's June 2026 data for ZIP 07930 shows a median listing price of about $1.124 million and median sold price of about $1.05 million, but that ZIP includes both Chester Borough and the much larger Chester Township. Those ZIP-wide figures should not be treated as Borough-only market values.
The Borough's small sales volume means property type, historic character, lot size, condition and proximity to downtown can have an outsized effect on any monthly median. Recent comparable sales within Chester Borough are more useful than a broad ZIP-code average.
Major 2026 Issue: Borough-Wide Reassessment
Chester Borough is implementing a Borough-wide property reassessment for tax year 2026.
The Borough Tax Assessor states that the reassessment is being conducted with Appraisal Systems Inc. as a continuation of the Borough's ongoing reassessment program and is intended to update property values to reflect current market trends.
Assessment ≠ Sale PriceA reassessed value is used for property-tax allocation; it should not automatically be interpreted as the asking price or expected market price.
Check the Current RecordBuyers should obtain the newest assessment rather than relying on a prior-year listing or tax record.
Appeal RightsProperty owners who disagree with an assessment should use current Morris County/Borough appeal procedures and deadlines.
Borough OnlyChester Township has a separate assessor and tax structure; never mix its assessments or tax rate with Chester Borough.
Chester Borough Tax Assessor
Property Taxes & Assessments
The latest certified Morris County rate currently available for Chester Borough is the 2025 general tax rate of 2.328 per $100 of assessed value.
Tax Due DatesQuarterly property taxes are due February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1, subject to the Borough's current grace-period rules.
Tax AssessorThe Assessor establishes taxable property values and administers assessment records, deductions and reassessment information.
Tax CollectorThe Collector bills and collects municipal, school, regional-school and county property taxes through one combined tax bill.
Current ReassessmentBecause 2026 reassessment work is underway, buyers should ask for the latest assessment information before projecting future taxes.
Chester Borough Tax Collector50 North Road
908-879-3660 ext. 2121
Tax Information
Morris County Board of TaxationCounty tax rates, appeal information and assessment resources.
Board of Taxation
Housing Character
Historic Village HomesOlder houses near Main Street and within the Borough's historic setting can offer architectural character and walkability but may require extra renovation due diligence.
Established Residential StreetsThe Borough contains conventional detached-home neighborhoods beyond the commercial core, often on smaller lots than surrounding Chester Township.
Compact MunicipalityChester Borough's approximately 1.6-square-mile footprint means residential areas are much closer to downtown shopping and services than many Township properties.
Townhouse / Multifamily OptionsThe Borough's land-use planning includes residential, multifamily, affordable and inclusionary housing opportunities in selected zones and redevelopment areas.
Older Infrastructure MixWater, sewer, private well and septic conditions vary by location, making utility verification important during a purchase.
Historic + Modern DevelopmentCurrent housing policy has to balance historic preservation with New Jersey affordable-housing obligations and redevelopment planning.
Buying in Chester Borough: Due Diligence
Confirm the MunicipalityA 07930 address is not enough. Verify that the property is legally in Chester Borough rather than Chester Township.
Check the 2026 AssessmentAsk for the newest Borough assessment/reassessment record and current tax bill.
Review Open PermitsAdditions, decks, finished basements, pools, sheds, retaining walls, HVAC, electrical upgrades and prior remodels may have required permits.
Verify ZoningConfirm setbacks, lot coverage, permitted use and accessory-structure rules before planning an addition, pool, fence or home occupation.
Check Historic StatusFor properties in or near the historic district, determine whether proposed exterior work may require historic-preservation review.
Verify Water & WastewaterDetermine whether the property uses public water, Borough sewer, private well, septic or a combination of systems.
Review Flood InformationUse the newest FEMA and Morris County flood maps for the actual parcel; revised preliminary Morris County maps were released in November 2025.
Inspect Older-Home SystemsEvaluate foundation, drainage, roof, electrical, plumbing, heating/cooling, buried tanks and prior renovations based on the particular property.
Selling a Home: Smoke & Carbon-Monoxide Compliance
One- and two-family home sales require smoke-detector and carbon-monoxide alarm compliance through Chester Borough Fire Prevention.
The Borough Construction Department specifically directs home sellers to Fire Prevention to submit the application, pay the applicable fee and schedule the inspection.
Schedule EarlyThe current application uses a sliding fee based on the number of business days remaining before the change of occupant.
10+ Business DaysThe current application lists a $45 fee when the inspection can be scheduled at least 10 business days ahead.
Shorter Notice Costs MoreThe current form lists higher fees for requests made 5–9 business days or 1–4 business days before occupancy changes.
ReinspectionThe current application also lists a separate reinspection fee.
Fire Prevention
Construction Department
Rentals & Landlords
Chester Borough maintains a Landlord Registration form through the Clerk's Office. Rental owners should also determine whether state lead-safe inspection requirements, smoke/CO requirements, construction approvals, zoning restrictions and liability-insurance rules apply to the specific property.
Before leasing: Owners should use current Borough and New Jersey requirements rather than assuming a prior lease, old registration or earlier inspection remains sufficient for a new tenancy.
Borough Clerk Forms
Zoning, Additions & Property Improvements
The Chester Borough Zoning Department regulates the use of land and structures. Its current guidance requires a properly scaled property survey with zoning applications and specifically identifies patios, fences, decks, pools, basements, alterations and sheds as common zoning-permit situations.
Property SurveyApplications should show proposed work to scale with setbacks, dimensions, height and other required information.
ShedsThe Borough states that shed permits are required regardless of shed size.
Pools & DecksSetbacks, lot coverage, safety and construction standards can all affect a proposed project.
Construction PermitsThe Construction Department separately administers building, electrical, plumbing, fire and mechanical code requirements.
Borough Zoning
Construction
Historic District Considerations
Chester Borough's historic village is a central part of the local housing market. The Historic Preservation Committee advises the Borough Council and land-use boards on matters involving historic preservation.
Exterior ChangesOwners of historic properties should determine whether additions, exterior materials, windows, demolition or major facade changes trigger historic review.
Zoning Still AppliesHistoric review does not replace zoning or construction approval; a project may involve more than one Borough department.
Property-Specific ResearchDo not assume that every older house is formally designated historic—or that a newer-looking property is outside a historic district. Verify the parcel.
Historic Preservation
Water, Sewer, Wells & Septic
Utility conditions vary within Chester Borough. The Borough lists New Jersey American Water for properties in the public-water service area and operates Borough sewer service for properties in the sewer service area. Municipal planning documents also acknowledge existing residential areas that rely on private wells and individual septic systems.
Public Utility Properties
- Public water is available only within the applicable service area.
- Borough sewer charges apply to properties connected to the municipal wastewater system.
- For a property sale, Borough sewer billing transfers after the deed change; the Borough says it does not perform a final sewer meter reading.
Well / Septic Properties
- Confirm well location, testing history and water quality.
- Review septic age, design, repairs and maintenance records.
- The Borough Board of Health maintains current well, septic, septic-repair and abandonment applications.
- Future sewer expansion or infrastructure changes may affect some neighborhoods.
Utility Information
Board of Health
Flood & Environmental Due Diligence
Morris County released revised preliminary FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps in November 2025. Because inland flood risk can vary parcel by parcel, Chester Borough buyers should review the actual property using the latest effective and preliminary flood information rather than relying on a seller's general description.
Check Both Map SetsMorris County currently provides tools for comparing effective FEMA maps with the newer preliminary mapping.
Insurance RequirementsA lender may require flood insurance for certain mapped properties; insurance needs can change as mapping changes.
Drainage Still MattersBasement moisture, grading, sump systems and stormwater behavior deserve inspection even outside a mapped high-risk zone.
Highlands SettingChester Borough lies within the Highlands planning environment, where water-resource protection and infrastructure capacity influence development policy.
Morris County Flood Maps
Affordable Housing & Current Housing Planning
Chester Borough adopted a Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan in 2025 and continued implementing it through zoning and public actions in 2026. The current plan addresses the Borough's state affordable-housing obligations while accounting for the municipality's small land area, infrastructure constraints and historic character.
Fourth Round PlanThe Borough's adopted plan identifies a Present Need obligation and prospective affordable-housing obligation under current New Jersey law.
2026 Zoning ActionsThe Borough has continued adopting land-use changes tied to its Fourth Round housing plan, including inclusionary mixed-use overlay zoning.
Rehabilitation ResourcesThe Borough's affordable-housing files include Morris County housing-rehabilitation program information for qualifying properties.
Availability ChangesAffordable units and application processes can change; use current municipal or administrative-agent information rather than relying on an old waitlist.
Affordable Housing Documents
Schools Serving Chester Borough
Chester Borough and Chester Township share the Chester School District for Kindergarten through grade 8. Borough students then attend West Morris Mendham High School through the West Morris Regional High School District.
Dickerson Elementary SchoolGrades K–2
Shared Chester School District
Bragg Intermediate SchoolGrades 3–5
Shared Chester School District
Black River Middle SchoolGrades 6–8
Shared Chester School District
West Morris Mendham High SchoolGrades 9–12
Serves Chester Borough, Chester Township, Mendham Borough and Mendham Township.
Boundary note: The Chester K–8 campuses are outside the compact Borough boundary, but Borough children attend them through the shared district. School assignment should always be verified directly with the district before a purchase.
Chester School District
West Morris Mendham High School
Commuting & Location
Route 24 / Main StreetThe Borough's principal east-west road connects downtown Chester with Mendham, Morristown-area routes and surrounding communities.
U.S. Route 206Major north-south regional corridor for commuting toward Mount Olive/Flanders and south toward Somerset County.
No Borough Rail StationChester Borough has no NJ TRANSIT passenger-rail station, so most commuters drive to work or to a regional rail station.
MorristownMajor healthcare, government, finance and professional-services employment center east of Chester.
Routes 80, 287 & 78Regional highway access expands commuting options, but actual drive time varies substantially by direction and traffic.
Walkable Daily LifeHomes near historic Main Street can have uncommon western-Morris-County walkability to restaurants, shopping and services.
Current Chester Borough Real Estate Offices
The following real-estate offices were verified as currently operating from Chester Borough. Standard NJTGO directory references do not include external commercial website links.
Coldwell Banker Realty191 Main Street, Suite 2
Chester, NJ 07930
908-879-4900
Weichert, Realtors - Chester142 Main Street
Chester, NJ 07930
908-879-7010
NJTGO does not endorse a particular brokerage, agent, attorney, inspector, mortgage company or contractor. Consumers should independently verify current New Jersey licensing, experience and services before hiring a professional.
Real Estate Advertising Opportunities
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