Bolthole Index

Bergen County, New Jersey

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in New Milford, New Jersey

The Borough of New Milford, Bergen County, New Jersey requires a construction permit from its own building department under the statewide Uniform Construction Code1. The borough also adopts and enforces its own zoning ordinance and map2. Septic systems, where public sewer is unavailable, need a permit from the borough Board of Health3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; issued by the borough building department under the state Uniform Construction Code14
Zoning
Yes, the borough zones its own land with published districts and a zoning map25
Septic
Board of Health permit where public sewer is not available; $100 permit fee3
RV living
Not allowed: a stored trailer or camp car may not be used as a dwelling or sleeping place6
Minimum home size
1,000 sq ft of ground area for a one-floor home in Residential A7
Minimum lot
7,500 sq ft building lot in Residential A8
Short-term rentals
Prohibited for stays of 30 days or less9
Wells
State drilling permit from NJDEP; borough rule unconfirmed10

Who to call

Building permits

Borough of New Milford Building Department

Construction permits and inspections under the state Uniform Construction Code inside New Milford

201-967-5044

930 River Road, New Milford, NJ 07646

Zoning

Borough of New Milford Zoning Officer

Zoning permits and fence permits inside New Milford; forms are brought to the zoning officer at the Department of Public Works

201-967-5044

930 River Road, New Milford, NJ 07646

Health department

New Milford Health Department (Board of Health)

The borough Board of Health, the office whose permit the borough code requires for septic tanks; ask here which health agency reviews a septic plan

201-967-5044

930 River Road, New Milford, NJ 07646

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 Borough of New Milford means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in New Milford, NJ?

Yes. In the Borough of New Milford, New Jersey, a construction permit is required before building, enlarging, altering or demolishing a structure4. The borough keeps its own local enforcing agency for New Jersey's Uniform Construction Code, so the permit comes from the borough, not from Bergen County1. Inspections happen at set stages, such as footings, rough plumbing and electrical, and framing11. When the work passes final inspection, the construction official issues a Certificate of Occupancy12.

A zoning permit or fence permit is a separate form that the borough's zoning officer handles13.

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

The Borough of New Milford Building Department issues building permits and schedules inspections at Borough Hall, 930 River Road, New Milford, NJ 07646, phone 201-967-504414. The department asks for at least 24 hours' notice to schedule an inspection, with your permit number ready14.

For land outside the borough, see the Bergen County page.

Does New Milford have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and homes?

Yes. New Milford zones its own land through a borough zoning ordinance and a zoning map2. The code establishes districts including Residential A, B, C, D and E, Business, Office/Service, Light Industrial Park and a Mixed Use Planned Unit Development zone5. Bergen County has no zoning power of its own over municipal land15.

Rules differ by district. In the Residential A zone, each building lot must have an average width of at least 75 feet, which the code ties to a minimum area of 7,500 square feet8. A one-family home in Residential A needs at least 1,000 square feet of ground area if all living space is on one floor, or 500 square feet per floor if it is split across two; finished basement or attic space does not count7.

The borough zoning officer can tell you which district a parcel is in13.

How do septic permits work in New Milford?

The borough code bars new cesspools, privy vaults and septic tanks on land where public sewer is available16. Where sewer is not available, a septic tank needs a permit from the borough Board of Health, with a $100 fee for the construction and inspection of each tank3. The permit can be refused where soil and topography make sewage disposal difficult3.

New Jersey law also bars a building permit for a new structure until the septic or sewer plan is approved, and a septic system may not be covered until it has been inspected1718. Ask the borough health department which agency reviews the plans for a given lot19.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in New Milford?

No, not in a stored RV. New Milford allows no more than one trailer or camp car stored on a premises, and a stored trailer or camp car may not be used as a dwelling or sleeping place, even temporarily6. Parking a camp car on a street or public property is unlawful6.

We could not confirm a borough rule that specifically addresses tiny homes, manufactured homes or accessory dwellings. Ask the zoning officer before planning one13.

Short-term rentals of 30 days or less are prohibited in the borough9.

Building a home in New Milford: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the zoning district and its lot-size and dwelling-size rules with the zoning officer13.
  2. If the lot has no public sewer, get the Board of Health septic approval first, because the state bars a building permit until sewerage is approved17.
  3. Check whether the site is in a flood hazard area; development there needs an application to the Floodplain Administrator, possibly in addition to the building permit20.
  4. Apply for the construction permit with the borough Building Department14.
  5. Call for the required stage inspections11.
  6. Obtain the Certificate of Occupancy after final inspection12.

A person building a new home for their own use is exempt from new-home builder registration, but the owner must file an affidavit with the construction official before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued2122.

What to check before you buy land in New Milford, NJ

Floodplain: development in a flood hazard area inside the borough needs a permit from the Floodplain Administrator20. Wells: New Jersey requires a drilling permit from the state environmental department, and we could not confirm a separate borough well rule10. Driveways: access onto a state highway needs a state access permit23. Taxes: Bergen County's effective property tax rate is about 1.7%, with a median bill near $10,001 a year2425.

These are county-level figures and the borough's own rate may differ; the borough tax collector can give the exact figure for a parcel.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm a borough rule on private wells, accessory dwellings, tiny homes or driveway permits; ask the Building Department or zoning officer before you rely on any of them14.
  • Short-term rentals of 30 days or less are prohibited in New Milford, which matters if you plan to rent a home for income9.
  • The county's rules for unincorporated land do not apply inside the borough; the borough's own zoning and building permits govern2.

Sources

  1. Chapter 10 Building and Housing (Borough of New Milford), quoted and re-checked
  2. Article IV Zoning Regulations (Borough of New Milford), quoted and re-checked
  3. Chapter BH10 Privy Vaults, Cesspools and Manure Pits (Borough of New Milford), quoted and re-checked
  4. N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14, Construction permits—when required (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  5. Article IV Zoning Regulations (Borough of New Milford), quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 22 Camp Cars, Trailers, Boats and Watercraft (Borough of New Milford), quoted and re-checked
  7. Residential A Zone Requirements (Borough of New Milford), quoted and re-checked
  8. Residential A Zone Requirements (Borough of New Milford), quoted and re-checked
  9. Short Term Rental Property Prohibition (Borough of New Milford), quoted and re-checked
  10. Bulletin 88-10: Private On-Site Water Supply Systems (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Consumer Information for New Home Buyers (Borough of New Milford), quoted and re-checked
  12. New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Consumer Information for New Home Buyers (Borough of New Milford), quoted and re-checked
  13. Borough of New Milford Zoning Officer (newmilfordnj.gov)
  14. Borough of New Milford Building Department (newmilfordnj.gov)
  15. Bergen County Standards for Sustainable Land Development—Site Plans, quoted and re-checked
  16. Chapter 17 Sewer and Water (Borough of New Milford), quoted and re-checked
  17. New Jersey Statutes, R.S. 58:11-23 through 58:11-43 (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. New Jersey Statutes, R.S. 58:11-23 through 58:11-43 (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. New Milford Health Department (Board of Health) (newmilfordnj.gov)
  20. Chapter 25 Flood Protection and Prevention (Borough of New Milford), quoted and re-checked
  21. Builder Registration and New Home Warranty for Builders (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. N.J.A.C. 5:23, Uniform Construction Code (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Major Access Permits (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

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 Borough of New Milford

Borough of New Milford’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside New Milford borough.

    • The borough code identifies an interim zoning ordinance and establishes zoning districts and a zoning map.
    “Pursuant to Section 77, Chapter 291, Laws of New Jersey 1975, and pending the adoption of a Zoning Ordinance, the Zoning Ordinance of the Borough adopted September 20, 1949, as amended, including every amendment thereof heretofore passed, is hereby readopted in its entirety as an interim Zoning Ordinance so that the same shall read as follows.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Land inside New Milford borough.

    • The code identifies Residential A, Residential B, Residential C/Multifamily, Residential D/Townhouse, Residential E/Multi-Family Townhome, Business, Office/Service, Light Industrial Park, and Mixed Use Planned Unit Development zones.
    • The zoning map is incorporated into the chapter.
    “Such districts shall have the boundaries and areas as shown on the map accompanying this chapter and made a part hereof and entitled "Zoning Map Borough of New Milford, Bergen County accompanying Zoning Ordinance 1949 as amended, map revised May 1, 1992" and the several districts as therein laid out are hereby established.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    One-family dwellings in Residential A Zones.

    • For one-floor living space, minimum ground area is 1,000 square feet exclusive of porches and garages.
    • For living spaces equally divided on two floors, minimum is 500 square feet per floor; 75% of the second-floor area must have a ceiling height of at least 7 feet 6 inches.
    • Finished basement or attic living space does not count.

    minimum ground area: >= 1000 square feet (one-floor living space; exclusive of porches and garages) · minimum area per floor: >= 500 square feet (living spaces equally divided on two floors)

    “No one-family dwelling hereafter erected shall occupy a ground area of less than 1,000 square feet, exclusive of porches and garages, where all living spaces are located on one floor, and not less than 500 square feet per floor where living spaces are equally divided on two floors.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential A Zones.

    • Average lot width must be at least 75 feet, calculated with the code's 100-foot distance-from-street-line rule.
    • There may be no more than one dwelling on a lot.

    minimum lot area: >= 7500 square feet (Residential A Zone dwelling lot) · minimum average lot width: >= 75 feet (portions more than 100 feet distant from the street line are disregarded)

    “In Residential A Zones, each dwelling hereafter erected, together with its accessory buildings and structures shall be located on a lot having an average width of not less than seventy-five (75') feet, provided that, in calculating the average width of a lot, the portions thereof more than one hundred (100') feet distant from the street line shall be disregarded, it being intended that each building lot shall have a minimum area of 7,500 square feet.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Camp cars and trailers on premises inside New Milford borough.

    • No more than one trailer or camp car may be stored on a premises.
    • A stored trailer or camp car may not be used as a dwelling or sleeping place, temporary or otherwise.
    • Parking a camp car on a street or public property is unlawful.
    “It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or partnership to permit the storage of more than one trailer or camp car on any premises within the limits of the Borough. Any such trailer or camp car being stored shall not be used by any person as a dwelling or sleeping place (temporary or otherwise).”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of septic tanks and related wastewater facilities inside New Milford borough where public sewer is not available.

    • No privy vault or cesspool may be constructed or maintained where access to a public sewer is available, except a temporary privy vault during erection of a new building.
    • Permits may be refused where soil and topographic conditions make sewage disposal difficult.

    permit fee: 100 USD (for construction and erection and inspection of each privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or manure pit)

    “The fee for the permit for the construction and erection and inspection of each and every privy vault, septic tank, cesspool and manure pit shall be $100.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid wastewater disposal inside New Milford borough.

    • A private wastewater facility is barred where access to a public sewer is available.
    • Where sewer is unavailable, construction remains subject to a Board of Health permit and applicable location and soil restrictions.
    “No cesspool privy, privy vault, septic tank or other facility intended or used for the disposal of wastewater shall be built or maintained on such land, nor shall the Health Department issue any permit for any cesspool on land so situated.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in a flood hazard area inside New Milford borough.

    • An application must be made to the Floodplain Administrator and the required permit obtained.
    • A floodplain development permit or approval may be required in addition to a building permit depending on the nature and extent of development.
    • Applications require the specified site, construction, grading, filling and valuation information.
    “Any person, owner or authorized agent who intends to conduct any development in a flood hazard area shall first make application to the Floodplain Administrator and shall obtain the required permit. Depending on the nature and extent of proposed development that includes a building or structure, the Floodplain Administrator may determine that a floodplain development permit or approval is required in addition to a building permit.”
  • Short-term rentalsProhibited

    Paid occupancy of a dwelling unit for 30 days or less inside New Milford borough.

    • The prohibition does not prevent an otherwise lawful occupancy for more than 30 days.
    • Short-term occupancy without consideration by a member of the owner's housekeeping unit, such as a house guest, is permitted.

    maximum prohibited rental period: <= 30 days (housekeeping-unit member occupancy without consideration)

    “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Borough Code, it shall be unlawful for an owner, lessor, sub-lessor, any other person(s) or entity(ies) with possessory or use right(s) in a dwelling unit, their principals, partner or shareholders, or their agents, employees, representatives and other persons(s) or entity(ies), acting in concert or a combination thereof, to receive or obtain actual or anticipated consideration for soliciting, advertising, offering, and/or permitting, allowing, or failing to discontinue the use or occupancy of any dwelling unit, as defined herein, for a period of 30 days or less.”

Rules another office applies inside Borough of New Milford

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

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside New Milford borough under New Jersey's State Uniform Construction Code.

    • The borough maintains a local enforcing agency for the statewide code.
    “All construction work performed in the State is regulated by the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), which contains rules relating to the administration and enforcement of the code as well as four basic technical subcodes: building, electrical, fire protection, and plumbing.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction projects inside New Milford borough.

    • Inspections are periodic and occur at required construction stages; inspectors need not be continuously present.
    “During construction, the code official or inspector conducts regular inspections to ensure that the work performed complies with the UCC. The code requires construction work to stop so that certain inspections can be performed at particular points in construction, namely inspection of the bottom of footing trenches before placement of footings and inspection of the rough plumbing and electrical wiring before the framing inspection of framing system before they are covered with finishes.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Completed construction inside New Milford borough.

    • A certificate is issued after final inspections and verifies completion in accordance with the UCC.
    • For resale, the borough separately requires a continuing certificate for residential premises in Zoning District A.
    “Once a construction project passes final inspections, the builder certifies that the project complies with the UCC and the construction official issues a Certificate of Occupancy. A Certificate of Occupancy verifies that the construction work has been completed in accordance with the UCC.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemptions inside New Milford borough.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside New Milford borough.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy inside New Milford borough.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory-dwelling occupancy inside New Milford borough.
  • Well permit — Private wells inside New Milford borough.
3 more unanswered
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access

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 Borough of New Milford publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Bergen County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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