Bolthole Index

Bergen County, New Jersey

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Garfield, New Jersey

Garfield, New Jersey requires a building permit before construction, alteration, occupancy or use1. The city administers its own zoning through a city zoning code2, and its Building Department takes permit applications3. Septic authority inside Garfield is unconfirmed; ask the Building Department and Bergen County Health Services before you plan any septic system4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required before construction, alteration, occupancy or use1
Zoning
City of Garfield zoning code with districts and a zoning map2
Who issues permits
Garfield Building Department, with an online permit portal3
Septic
Not confirmed inside Garfield; Bergen County Health Services serves only contracting towns4
Owner-builder
Exempt from builder registration, not from permits5
Certificate of occupancy
Required for initial and continued occupancy and use6

Who to call

Building permits

City of Garfield Building Department

Building permits, certificates of occupancy and zoning inspection requests inside the City of Garfield

973-340-2000 x4040

111 Outwater Lane, Garfield, NJ, 07026

Online permits →

Health department

Bergen County Department of Health Services

Septic plan review for towns that contract with Bergen County Health Services; confirm which health department has jurisdiction for a Garfield parcel

201-634-2600

healthdept@bergencountynj.gov

One Bergen County Plaza, 4th Floor, Hackensack, NJ 07601-7076

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 13, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Garfield means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Garfield, NJ?

Yes. Garfield's code requires a permit before any construction, alteration, occupancy or use listed in its administration article1. Construction or alteration costing more than $100 needs a building permit or certificate of occupancy1. The state Uniform Construction Code adds a permit for new construction and work on existing buildings, with exceptions for ordinary maintenance such as routine repair7.

Owner-builders are not exempt. New Jersey exempts a person building a home for personal use from builder registration and warranty requirements, but not from construction permits or code compliance5. Garfield's own code pages did not show a separate owner-builder exemption, so ask the Building Department before assuming one.

Who issues building permits in Garfield, and how do you reach them?

The City of Garfield Building Department takes applications for building permits and certificates of occupancy, and it offers an online portal for applying and paying3. Call 973-340-2000 x4040 or visit the city at 111 Outwater Lane3.

A written application comes from the owner, authorized agent or contractor and includes a scaled plan showing the structure in relation to lot and street lines8. The Zoning Officer/Building Inspector must grant or refuse a zoning permit within 10 days after receiving the application, and a refusal must state its grounds in writing8. New Jersey also sets a decision deadline of 20 business days for a complete construction permit application9.

Does Garfield have zoning, and what does it mean for setbacks and RVs?

Garfield has its own zoning. The city code covers zoning administration, permits, certificates of occupancy, district regulations and a zoning map2. Bergen County does not zone; New Jersey municipalities, not counties, have the authority to zone land10.

Setbacks depend on the district. Residential districts such as R-1A and R-1 follow an adopted schedule of minimums, and a side or rear yard next to an operating railroad must be doubled but not less than 25 feet from the closest rail11. Minimum dwelling size, lot size, RV occupancy, tiny homes and accessory dwellings are not confirmed in the pages we reviewed; the Zoning Officer through the Building Department can answer them for a specific parcel3.

How do septic permits work in Garfield, NJ?

State law requires the board of health having jurisdiction to certify septic and water facilities before a building permit issues or construction begins12. Septic systems must also be inspected before they are covered13.

Which health department has jurisdiction inside Garfield is not confirmed. Bergen County Health Services reviews septic plans only for the roughly 30 towns that contract with it, not every municipality4. Ask the Building Department which health office signs off, then confirm with Bergen County Health Services at 201-634-260014. Garfield's code lists a sewer chapter, but the connection rule was not confirmed, so ask whether a new home must tie into public sewer.

Building a home in Garfield: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the lot's zoning district and setbacks with the Zoning Officer11.
  2. Get septic or sewer approval from the health department having jurisdiction before a building permit can issue12.
  3. File a written permit application with a scaled plan through the Building Department8.
  4. Schedule the periodic inspections that the Uniform Construction Code requires, including footings, rough plumbing and electrical, and framing15.
  5. Obtain a certificate of occupancy before using or occupying the building6. An owner who built the home files an affidavit with the construction official first16.

What stays with Bergen County, and what to check before you buy in Garfield

Garfield sets zoning and issues building permits inside city limits2. Bergen County handles county planning review of subdivisions and site plans affecting county roads or drainage17. A residential driveway onto a county road carries a $250 road-access permit fee18; a driveway onto a state highway needs a state access permit19.

For land outside Garfield, see the Bergen County page. Before buying, ask the Building Department about the parcel's district, any flood-map issues, and sewer connection; the city publishes flood map information on its website.

Watch-outs

  • Garfield's certificate of occupancy expires if occupancy or use does not begin within 6 months of issuance unless extended in writing6.
  • A dwelling inspection is required on a change of occupancy unless a recent inspection exception applies, so resale buyers should ask the Building Department what applies20.
  • Septic jurisdiction, well permits, RV occupancy and tiny-home rules inside Garfield are unconfirmed; the Building Department and the health department having jurisdiction are the offices to ask3.

Sources

  1. Article XVI: Administration - City of Garfield, NJ (Garfield), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 341: Zoning - City of Garfield, NJ (Garfield), quoted and re-checked
  3. City of Garfield Building Department (garfieldnj.org)
  4. bergencountynj.gov, quoted and re-checked
  5. Builder Registration and New Home Warranty for Builders (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. Article XVI: Administration - City of Garfield, NJ (Garfield), quoted and re-checked
  7. N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14, Construction permits—when required (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Article XVI: Administration - City of Garfield, NJ (Garfield), quoted and re-checked
  9. Uniform Construction Code General Information, quoted and re-checked
  10. Bergen County Standards for Sustainable Land Development—Site Plans, quoted and re-checked
  11. Article VIII: Bulk, Height and Other Requirements - City of Garfield, NJ (Garfield), quoted and re-checked
  12. New Jersey Statutes, R.S. 58:11-23 through 58:11-43 (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. New Jersey Statutes, R.S. 58:11-23 through 58:11-43 (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Bergen County Department of Health Services (bergencountynj.gov)
  15. New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, New Home Warranty—Consumer Information (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. N.J.A.C. 5:23, Uniform Construction Code (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Bergen County Standards for Sustainable Land Development—Subdivisions, quoted and re-checked
  18. Fee Schedule for Site Plan Application, quoted and re-checked
  19. Major Access Permits (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Chapter 114: Construction Codes, Uniform - City of Garfield, NJ (Garfield), quoted and re-checked

Written October 13, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Garfield

Garfield’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, erection, or alteration of buildings and specified land or building uses inside Garfield city.

    • A permit is required before construction, alteration, occupancy, or use listed in § 341-61(B).
    • Construction or alteration costing more than $100 requires a building permit or certificate of occupancy.
    • No excavation for a building may begin until application has been made for a zoning permit.
    • Applications must be made in writing by the owner, authorized agent, or contractor and include a scaled plan showing the structure or use in relation to lot and street lines.

    construction cost threshold: > 100 USD (The code states construction or alteration costing more than $100.)

    “prior to any construction, alteration, occupancy or use”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Building-code and dwelling inspections inside Garfield city.

    • The City has a Department of Inspections with construction, building, plumbing, electrical, fire-protection, and elevator subcode officials.
    • A dwelling inspection is required upon a change of occupancy, subject to the listed exceptions for a recent inspection and registered garden or multidwelling properties.
    • Owners and tenants must provide access for required dwelling inspections.

    recent inspection exception period: <= 11 months (The prior dwelling inspection must have been conducted within 11 months of the new occupancy and/or sale.)

    “an inspection of the dwelling unit shall be required upon any change of occupancy”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Initial and continued occupancy and use of buildings or land inside Garfield city.

    • A certificate of occupancy is required for both initial and continued occupancy and use.
    • If occupancy or use does not commence within six months after issuance, the occupancy permit expires unless extended in writing; extensions beyond 90 days require Board of Adjustment approval.
    • A certificate may be issued after inspection for an existing building or use dating from adoption of the chapter.

    commencement deadline: 6 months (A longer period may be authorized in writing because of unforeseen conditions; an extension beyond 90 days requires Board of Adjustment approval.)

    “required for both initial and continued occupancy and use”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Zoning administered inside Garfield city.

    • The code includes zoning administration, permits, certificates of occupancy, district regulations, and a zoning map.
    “HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Garfield 12-20-1960 by Ord. No. 1266 (Ch. 247 of the 1979 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Garfield zoning and building permit process.

    • Applications are written and may be submitted by the owner, authorized agent, or contractor.
    • The application must state the use or intended use and include a scaled plan showing the proposed structure or use relative to lot and street lines.
    • The Zoning Officer/Building Inspector must grant or refuse a zoning permit within 10 days after receipt; refusals must state grounds in writing.

    zoning permit decision period: 10 days (Measured after receipt of the application.)

    “Every application for a building permit shall be made in writing by the owner, his authorized agent or contractor and shall include a statement of the use or intended use of the structure or vacant land and shall be accompanied by a plan, drawn to scale, showing the proposed structure or use in its exact relation to lot and street lines. The Zoning Officer/Building Inspector shall grant or refuse a zoning permit within 10 days after receipt of the application. If the Zoning Officer/Building Inspector refuses to issue a permit hereunder, he shall state in writing the grounds of his refusal.”

Rules another office applies inside Garfield

Garfield does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential districts including R-1A and R-1 inside Garfield city; setbacks are controlled by the adopted district schedule.

    • The schedule contains minimum requirements unless modified by special provisions.
    • Railroad-adjacent residential side or rear yards must be doubled, but not less than 25 feet from the closest rail.
    • Certain street-widening lines affect the computation of front or side yards.
    “The regulations listed in said schedule for each district are hereby adopted and prescribed for such district and, unless otherwise indicated, shall be deemed to be the minimum requirements in every instance of their application, except as modified by the following special provisions: [...] Development near railroads. In the event that any side or rear yard of any residential premises within any zone is adjacent to an operating railroad right-of-way or siding or spur which provides railroad services within any twelve-month period at any one occasion, then and in that event the minimum yard dimensions of such side or rear yard shall be double the minimum yard dimensions required but not less than 25 feet as measured from the closest rail.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Garfield or Bergen County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions from Garfield building permits or inspections.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Garfield city residential districts.
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside Garfield city.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Garfield city.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Garfield city.
11 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Garfield publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Bergen County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Bergen County: county rules, score and offices