Bolthole Index

Burlington County, New Jersey

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Bass River Township, New Jersey

Bass River Township, New Jersey adopts its own zoning and requires a zoning permit before you build or change how land is used1. Building permits are also required, and the township sends applicants to the Tuckerton Borough Construction Office2. Septic permits come from the Burlington County Health Department, not the township3.

At a glance

Zoning
Township zoning ordinance (Title 17) with a zoning permit from the zoning officer1
Zoning permit fee
$75 for the zoning permit application4
Building permit
Required; issued by Tuckerton Borough Construction Office under a service-sharing agreement2
Septic
Burlington County Health Department, Environmental Health Division3
Minimum lot (R-1 / Rural Development)
1 acre with septic in R-1; 3.2 acres in Rural Development5
Mobile homes on separate lots
Prohibited throughout the township6
Owner-builder
Exempt from builder registration only; permits and inspections still apply7

Who to call

Zoning

Bass River Township (zoning and planning applications)

Zoning permit applications, variances and land-use applications before the Planning Board

1-609-296-3337

clerk@bassriver-nj.org

PO Box 307 New Gretna, NJ 08224

Building permits

Tuckerton Borough Construction Office (building, zoning & code enforcement)

Construction (building) permits for Bass River Township under a service-sharing agreement

609-296-4916

420 East Main Street Tuckerton, NJ 08087

Septic permits

Burlington County Health Department, Environmental Health Division

Applications for permits to construct or alter individual subsurface sewage disposal (septic) systems, repair or replacement of components, and well applications

609-265-5548

15 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton, NJ 08060

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 23, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Bass River Township, NJ have zoning, and what does it mean for lots and setbacks?

Yes. Bass River Township, in Burlington County, enforces its own zoning ordinance, and no one may erect, locate or alter a building, or change the use of land, without a zoning permit from the zoning officer1. The county does not zone for the township8. The township publishes a schedule with districts including Pinelands Preservation, Forest, Rural Development, Village Residential, R-1 and Special Agricultural Production9.

Rules depend on the district. In R-1, the minimum lot is 1 acre with a septic system and 15,000 square feet with public sewer; in Rural Development it is 3.2 acres5. R-1 principal-building setbacks are 35 feet front, 20 feet side and 50 feet rear; Rural Development requires 175 feet front, 25 feet side and 50 feet rear, plus a 200-foot scenic-corridor setback10. Maximum lot coverage is 25 percent for R-1 septic lots, 30 percent for R-1 sewer lots and 30 percent in Rural Development11. Height tops out at 35 feet in both districts12. Check your parcel's district on the township zoning map before you rely on any of these.

Do you need a building permit in Bass River Township, and who issues it?

Yes. After zoning approval from Bass River Township, building permits come from the Tuckerton Borough Construction Office, which issues construction permits for the township under a service-sharing agreement2. All construction in New Jersey falls under the statewide Uniform Construction Code, which has building, electrical, fire protection and plumbing subcodes13. A permit is required before you construct, enlarge, alter or change the use of a structure, with exceptions such as ordinary maintenance14.

A complete application must be released or denied within 20 business days15. Construction must stop for required inspections, including footings and rough plumbing and electrical before framing is covered16. The township's published fee is for the zoning permit application only: $754. We could not confirm the construction office's fees, so ask Tuckerton Borough directly17.

How do septic permits work in Bass River Township?

Septic is not a township decision. Burlington County's Septic and Well Program, run by the Burlington County Health Department, handles applications to construct or alter an individual subsurface sewage disposal system, with separate applications for repairs and a certificate of compliance318. New Jersey law bars a building permit until the board of health having jurisdiction certifies the sewerage facilities19, and the construction official must see that approval before issuing a construction permit20. A health official must inspect the system before it is covered21.

Soils matter here. Only about 0.2% of Burlington County soils rate "not limited" for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system22. We could not confirm a Bass River-specific septic inspection rule or any mandatory sewer-connection rule, so ask the county Environmental Health Division at18.

Can you live in an RV, tiny home or mobile home in Bass River Township?

Mobile homes or trailers used for human habitation on separate lots are prohibited throughout Bass River Township6. For long-term RV living, temporary camping, tiny homes and accessory dwellings, we could not confirm an operative township rule, so do not assume any of them is allowed. Ask the zoning officer before you buy or park anything23. State law limits HUD manufactured homes to single-family dwelling use24.

Building a home in Bass River Township: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm your parcel's zoning district and the lot, setback and coverage limits that apply to it9.
  2. Get septic plan approval from the Burlington County Health Department, because the construction official requires it before a construction permit2018.
  3. Submit a zoning permit application to Bass River Township with the $75 fee4. If it is disapproved, a variance request goes to the Planning Board, with application copies filed at least 15 business days before the meeting25.
  4. If you are subdividing, file with the Planning Board secretary at least 21 days before the regular monthly meeting26.
  5. Apply for building permits at the Tuckerton Borough Construction Office217.
  6. Pass the stage inspections, then get a Certificate of Occupancy27.

What to check before you buy land in Bass River Township

Much of the township's development is governed by the Pinelands, and no one may carry out development in the Pinelands area without approval from an approval agency under the township ordinance28. Ask the Planning Board whether your parcel needs that review. Agricultural or horticultural structures are excepted from that one procedure, but other local or state review may still apply29.

If you plan to build the house yourself, New Jersey exempts a person building a home for personal use from builder registration, but UCC and local permit requirements still apply7. For land outside Bass River, see the Burlington County page. Burlington County's effective property tax rate is 2.4%30. A driveway onto a state highway needs a state access permit31.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm Bass River rules on long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny homes, accessory dwellings or short-term rentals; ask the zoning officer through the township before you rely on any of them23.
  • Zoning approval and building permits are separate steps with two offices: Bass River Township handles zoning and Tuckerton Borough handles building permits2.
  • Pinelands development approval can apply on top of the zoning permit, so confirm with the Planning Board early28.

Sources

  1. Bass River Township Zoning Ordinance, Title 17 (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Planning – Bass River Township (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Environmental Health, quoted and re-checked
  4. Planning – Bass River Township (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Schedule of District Regulations – Bass River Township, Burlington County, NJ (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Bass River Township Zoning Ordinance, Title 17 (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. New Jersey Department of Community Affairs – Consumer Information for New Home Buyers (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. P.L. 2013, c.106 — Municipal Land Use Law amendments (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Schedule of District Regulations – Bass River Township, Burlington County, NJ (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Schedule of District Regulations – Bass River Township, Burlington County, NJ (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. Schedule of District Regulations – Bass River Township, Burlington County, NJ (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. Schedule of District Regulations – Bass River Township, Burlington County, NJ (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. New Jersey Department of Community Affairs – Consumer Information for New Home Buyers (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14, Construction permits—when required (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Uniform Construction Code General Information, quoted and re-checked
  16. New Jersey Department of Community Affairs – Consumer Information for New Home Buyers (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. Tuckerton Borough Construction Office (building, zoning & code enforcement) (tuckertonborough.com)
  18. Burlington County Health Department, Environmental Health Division (burlingtoncountynj.gov)
  19. New Jersey Statutes, R.S. 58:11-23 through 58:11-43 (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Bulletin 79-7 Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  21. New Jersey Statutes, R.S. 58:11-23 through 58:11-43 (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Bass River Township (zoning and planning applications) (bassriver-nj.org)
  24. Manufactured/Modular Buildings Program (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Planning – Bass River Township (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  26. Bass River Township Zoning Ordinance, Title 17 (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  27. Construction Code FAQs for New Home Buyers, quoted and re-checked
  28. Bass River Township Zoning Ordinance, Title 17 (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  29. Bass River Township Zoning Ordinance, Title 17 (Bass River Township), quoted and re-checked
  30. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Major Access Permits (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 23, 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 Bass River Township

Bass River Township’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Development proceeding through Bass River Township approval inside the township.

    • Bass River directs applicants to Tuckerton Borough Construction Office under a service-sharing agreement.
    “Step 3: After Bass River Township approval, you MUST get BUILDING PERMITS from Tuckerton Borough Construction Office. We have a Service Sharing Agreement with them to provide construction permits.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Bass River Township.

    • Zoning permits must conform to Title 17 or an authorized written order.
    “No person shall, hereafter erect, locate or alter any building or portion thereof, or begin or change the use of any land, without first obtaining a zoning permit therefor from the zoning officer.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Bass River Township.

    • The Township publishes a schedule containing PP, Forest, Rural Development, Village Commercial, Village Residential, Coastal Wetlands, Highway Commercial, Special Agricultural Production, R-1, Infill Residential, and Infill Commercial districts.
    “Pinelands Preservation (PP) [...] Forest(F)* [...] Rural Development (RD)* [...] Village Commercial (VC) [...] Village Residential (VR) [...] Coastal Wetlands (CW) [...] Highway Commercial (HC) [...] Special Agricultural Production (SAP) [...] Residential-1 (R-1) [...] Infill Residential (IR) [...] Infill Commercial (IC)*”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential districts inside Bass River Township, including R-1 and Rural Development districts.

    • R-1 minimum lot area is 1 acre with septic and 15,000 square feet with public sewer; Rural Development minimum lot area is 3.2 acres.
    • Schedule footnote 8 states clustering on one-acre lots is required whenever two or more dwelling units are proposed.

    R-1 septic-system minimum lot area: 1 acre · R-1 public-sewer minimum lot area: 15000 sq ft · Rural Development minimum lot area: 3.2 acre

    “Rural Development (RD)* 3.2 acres [...] Residential-1 (R-1) - (Septic System) 1.0 acres [...] (Public Sewer System) 15,000 s.f.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential districts inside Bass River Township, including R-1 and Rural Development districts.

    • R-1 schedule entries are front 35 feet, side 20 feet, rear 50 feet, accessory side/rear 10 feet.
    • Rural Development schedule entries are front 175 feet, side 25 feet, rear 50 feet, accessory side/rear 10 feet; scenic-corridor setback is 200 feet.

    R-1 principal front/side/rear setbacks: 35/20/50 ft · Rural Development principal front/side/rear setbacks: 175/25/50 ft

    “Min. Yard Setback Requirements (feet) [...] Rural Development (RD)* 3.2 acres [...] 175 25 50 10 10 200 [...] Residential-1 (R-1) - (Septic System) 1.0 acres 100 35 20 50 10 10”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential districts inside Bass River Township, including R-1 and Rural Development districts.

    • R-1 maximum lot coverage is 25 percent for septic-system lots and 30 percent for public-sewer lots.
    • Rural Development maximum lot coverage is 30 percent.

    R-1 septic-system maximum lot coverage: <= 25 percent · R-1 public-sewer maximum lot coverage: <= 30 percent · Rural Development maximum lot coverage: <= 30 percent

    “Max Lot Coverage (%) [...] Rural Development (RD)* 3.2 acres [...] 20% 30% [...] Residential-1 (R-1) - (Septic System) [...] 25% [...] (Public Sewer System) [...] 30%”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential districts inside Bass River Township, including R-1 and Rural Development districts.

    • Both R-1 and Rural Development schedule rows specify 35-foot maximum building height.

    R-1 maximum building height: <= 35 ft · Rural Development maximum building height: <= 35 ft

    “Max. Building Height (feet) [...] Rural Development (RD)* [...] 35 [...] Residential-1 (R-1) - (Septic System) [...] 35”
  • Manufactured homesProhibited

    Mobile homes or trailers used for human habitation on separate lots inside Bass River Township.

    “In addition, the following uses are prohibited throughout the Township: [...] Mobile homes or trailers used or human habitation on sperate lots.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural or horticultural structures in the Pinelands area inside Bass River Township.

    • The exception is from the §17.32.070 Pinelands development-approval procedure only; other local or State review may still apply.
    • Historic resources designated by the Pinelands Commission are excluded from the listed procedural exceptions.
    “Except as provided in subsection C, the following shall not be subject to the procedures set forth in this section: [...] The improvement, expansion, construction, or reconstruction of any structure used exclusively for agricultural or horticultural purposes;”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision applications inside Bass River Township.

    • Development applications must be filed at least 21 days before the regular monthly Planning Board meeting and according to the subdivision or site-plan ordinance.

    filing lead time: >= 21 days (Before the regularly scheduled monthly meeting)

    “Development applications shall be filed with the secretary of the planning board at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Applications shall be filed in accordance with the requirements of the subdivision or site plan ordinance.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development within the Pinelands area inside Bass River Township, including floodplain development.

    • Listed exceptions include specified single-family improvements, accessory structures, agricultural/horticultural structures, limited clearing, specified additions, and repair or replacement of an existing on-site wastewater system.
    • Exceptions do not apply to historic resources designated by the Pinelands Commission.
    “No person shall carry out any development within the Pinelands area without obtaining approval from an approval agency and without obtaining development approval in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Bass River zoning permit applications.

    • The published fee is for the zoning permit application; construction-office fees are not established by this evidence.

    zoning permit application fee: 75 USD

    “A $75 fee is required with the: Zoning Permit Application”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning and land-use applications inside Bass River Township.

    • If the zoning application is disapproved, the applicant may seek a variance before the Planning Board.
    • Fifteen copies of the land-use application and supporting forms must be filed and delivered to Township professionals at least 15 business days before the applicable meeting.

    land-use filing lead time: >= 15 business days (Prior to the meeting at which the application is considered)

    “Step 2: If it is disapproved, but you have reason to pursue permission, submit a 15 copies of the Land Use Application along with supporting forms and go before the Planning Board to seek approval for a Variance. Application and forms must be filed with the Township and delivered to the professionals by the applicant for review at least fifteen (15) business days prior to the meeting at which the application is to be considered.”

Rules another office applies inside Bass River Township

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

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable

    A person constructing a new home for that person's own personal use in New Jersey, including Bass River Township.

    • This is an exception to the State new-home-builder registration requirement; UCC and local permit requirements still apply.
    “Under New Jersey law, all new home builders are required to be registered with the Dept. of Community Affairs. This includes those who build single-family homes, townhouses, duplexes, cooperatives, condominiums, factory-built and modular residences. The only exception is a person who constructs a new home for his or her own personal use.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction in New Jersey, including construction inside Bass River Township.

    • Enforcement for Bass River is provided through its shared-services construction office.
    “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

    UCC-regulated construction in New Jersey, including Bass River Township.

    • Inspections occur at required construction stages and periodically during work.
    “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.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Bass River Township or Burlington County directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Bass River Township.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside Bass River Township.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Bass River Township.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Bass River Township.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Bass River Township.
4 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • 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 Bass River Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Burlington County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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