Bolthole Index

Camden County, New Jersey

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Clementon, New Jersey

The Borough of Clementon, in Camden County, New Jersey, sets its own zoning under Chapter 298 of the borough code1, and a building permit is required for construction under the state Uniform Construction Code2. Zoning approval from the borough comes before construction permits3. Septic permits are a separate approval: the borough code requires a Board of Health permit4, and Camden County's Septic and Wells Unit reviews individual systems5.

At a glance

Zoning
Borough of Clementon zoning ordinance (Chapter 298), 11 zones1
Building permit
Required under the state Uniform Construction Code; zoning approval comes first23
Septic
Board of Health permit required before any system is located, built or altered; Camden County Septic and Wells Unit reviews systems45
Owner-builder
Owner affidavit; permits and inspections still apply6
RV and tiny home living
Borough rules not confirmed; state construction pathway leaves zoning to the borough7
Minimum home size and setbacks
Set by zoning district; figures not confirmed8

Who to call

Zoning

Borough of Clementon, Zoning Department (Borough Hall)

Zoning permit applications for work inside Clementon, reviewed before construction permits

(856) 783-0284

101 Gibbsboro Road Clementon, New Jersey 08021

Septic permits

Camden County Septic and Wells Unit

Plan review, installation, repair and compliance certificates for individual sewage disposal systems; private well test results

(856) 374-6064

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Clementon, NJ have zoning, and what does it mean for your lot?

Yes. Land inside the Borough of Clementon is governed by the borough's own zoning ordinance, Chapter 298 of the borough code1. The ordinance divides the borough into 11 zones1: R-1, R-2, R-3, R-5, B-1, B-2, B-3, M-1, A-P, P, PR and PO/R9. Three are one-family residential zones (R-1, R-2 and R-5), and R-3 is a garden apartment zone9.

Lot size, setbacks, lot coverage, building height and minimum home size are set district by district in New Jersey10, and we could not confirm the Clementon figures for the single-family districts. Ask the borough zoning office which zone your parcel is in and what its bulk standards allow before you buy. Camden County does not zone land; zoning belongs to the municipality11.

Do you need a building permit in Clementon, and who issues it?

Yes, for construction. New Jersey's Uniform Construction Code makes it unlawful to construct, enlarge, alter or demolish a structure without first filing an application and getting the required permit2. Ordinary maintenance is the exception2. Permit applications go to the local enforcing agency, not the county12.

In Clementon, zoning comes first: the borough's zoning application states that zoning approval is required prior to obtaining permits from construction3. The borough zoning department decides within 10 business days of submission3. We could not confirm the borough's construction-office contact or building-permit fees, so call Borough Hall at the number above and ask for the construction official.

How do septic permits work inside Clementon?

Septic is handled separately from building permits. The borough code says no one may locate, construct or alter an individual sewage disposal system until the Board of Health issues a permit4. The code lists a $10 application and plans fee for a new system and a $5 permit fee4. Before a new system is used or the dwelling is occupied, the Board of Health must certify it was built to the permit13.

Camden County's Septic and Wells Unit oversees individual sewage disposal system reviews, including plan review, installation, repair and compliance certificates14. The borough code and the county page both describe the process, and we could not confirm how the two divide the work, so call the county unit before you apply. Whether a given lot must connect to public sewer instead is also unconfirmed; ask the borough. Camden County's soils rarely rate well for conventional drain fields, so expect a site evaluation15.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Clementon?

We could not confirm the borough's rules for living in an RV, camping on private land or placing a tiny home. New Jersey's construction code treats a tiny home as a dwelling needing a construction permit, and it leaves zoning, utility and septic approvals to local authorities7. HUD manufactured homes are limited to single-family use group R-516. Inside Clementon, mobile homes and modular units rented to tenants need a rental occupancy permit or continued certificate of occupancy first17. Ask the borough zoning office about RVs and tiny homes before you commit.

Building a home in Clementon: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the borough zoning office which zone your parcel is in and whether your use is permitted9.
  2. File the borough zoning permit application with a current survey; approval comes before construction permits3.
  3. Get septic approval from the Board of Health, with the Camden County Septic and Wells Unit for plan review414.
  4. Apply to the borough's local enforcing agency for the construction permit12.
  5. Pass the periodic inspections, including footings, rough plumbing and electrical, and framing18.
  6. Obtain the certificate of occupancy before moving in19. An owner who built the home must also file an owner affidavit with the construction official6.

What to check before you buy land in Clementon

Confirm the zone and its bulk standards with the borough, and check whether the lot has public sewer or needs a septic system. A driveway onto a state highway needs a state access permit20. A driveway onto a county road falls under Camden County Public Works permits, where a private access permit fee is $10021. Subdividing land requires county Planning Board review22. For context, Camden County's effective property tax rate is 3.1%23. For land outside the borough, see the Camden County page.

Watch-outs

  • Zoning approval has to be in hand before the borough will move to construction permits3.
  • Septic is split between the borough Board of Health code24 and the Camden County Septic and Wells Unit14; confirm which office takes your application first.
  • We could not confirm Clementon's setbacks, minimum lot size, RV rules or building-permit fees; ask Borough Hall at (856) 783-02843.

Sources

  1. Chapter 298 Zoning, Article IV Zones and Zoning Map (Borough of Clementon Code, eCode360) (Borough of Clementon), quoted and re-checked
  2. N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14, Construction permits—when required (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  3. Borough of Clementon, Zoning Department (Borough Hall) (clementon-nj.com)
  4. Chapter 316 Sewage Disposal Systems, Individual (Borough of Clementon Code, eCode360) (Borough of Clementon), quoted and re-checked
  5. Septic and Wells, quoted and re-checked
  6. N.J.A.C. 5:23, Uniform Construction Code (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. The New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code: General Information, quoted and re-checked
  8. P.L. 2013, c.106 (Municipal Land Use Law amendments) (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Chapter 298 Zoning, Article IV Zones and Zoning Map (Borough of Clementon Code, eCode360) (Borough of Clementon), quoted and re-checked
  10. P.L. 2013, c.106 (Municipal Land Use Law amendments) (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. P.L. 2013, c.106 — Municipal Land Use Law amendments (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. The New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Chapter 316 Sewage Disposal Systems, Individual (Borough of Clementon Code, eCode360) (Borough of Clementon), quoted and re-checked
  14. Camden County Septic and Wells Unit (camdencounty.com)
  15. 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
  16. Manufactured/Modular Buildings Program (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 96 Certificates of Occupancy for Rental Properties (Borough of Clementon Code, eCode360) (Borough of Clementon), quoted and re-checked
  18. New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, New Home Warranty—Consumer Information (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. N.J.A.C. 5:23, Uniform Construction Code (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Major Access Permits (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Camden County Permit Book, quoted and re-checked
  22. Subdivision and Site Plan Review, quoted and re-checked
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Chapter 316 Sewage Disposal Systems, Individual (Borough of Clementon Code, eCode360) (Borough of Clementon), quoted and re-checked

Written October 24, 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 Clementon

Borough of Clementon’s own rules

  • InspectionsRequired

    Tenant-occupied dwellings inside Clementon borough before a rental occupancy permit or continued certificate of occupancy is issued

    • Inspection is made on application by the owner, within five working days of application and payment of the fee.
    • This covers rental occupancy inspection only; new-construction inspections are not established here.

    inspection timing: <= 5 working days (from receipt of application and payment of the proper fee)

    “shall make an inspection of said house, apartment or other structure for which there has been an application for an occupancy permit or continued certificate of occupancy, within five working days from the receipt of such application and the payment of the proper fee.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Dwelling units rented or leased to tenants inside Clementon borough (rental occupancy permit or continued certificate of occupancy; not owner-occupied new construction)

    • Certificate required before a tenant occupies; the landlord must also register with the borough clerk (§ 96-1(b)).
    • Issuance requires compliance with state statutes and borough building, plumbing, electrical, zoning, health, safety, fire and minimum housing ordinances (§ 96-2).

    certificate of occupancy fee, private residence or duplex: 60 USD · certificate of occupancy fee, each apartment unit: 40 USD (per apartment unit) · additional inspection fee, if more than one inspection is required: 30 USD (per inspection)

    “no person, firm, partnership or corporation shall rent, lease, suffer or allow any person or persons, firms, partnerships or corporations to live in or inhabit as a tenant or lessee any house, apartment or other structure, including a mobile home and modular unit, unless said person, firm, partnership or corporation shall first obtain from the borough of clementon an occupancy permit or continued certificate of occupancy”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Clementon borough limits is governed by the borough's own zoning ordinance, Chapter 298 Zoning

    • Zone boundaries are set by the zoning map adopted in Chapter 298 (§ 298-5); the map itself was not opened in this research.
    • Dimensional and use limits are in later articles of Chapter 298 and were not verified in this record (see the dimensional claims).
    “for the purpose of this chapter, the borough of clementon is hereby divided into 11 zones, differentiated according to use and building regulations and to be designated as follows:”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zones of the Borough of Clementon, NJ (all land inside borough limits)

    • The zone list is from § 298-4; the zoning map is adopted by § 298-5 and is on file in the borough offices, and was not opened in this research.
    • Zone districts are R-1, R-2, R-3, R-5, B-1, B-2, B-3, M-1, A-P, P, PR and PO/R.
    “r-1 one-family residential zone r-2 one-family residential zone r-3 garden apartment zone r-5 one-family residential zone b-1 commercial zone (central) b-2 commercial zone (highway) b-3 commercial zone (regional shopping center) m-1 light industrial zone a-p amusement park zone p parkland zone pr planned residential po/r professional office/residential”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Mobile homes and modular units used as tenant housing inside Clementon borough

    • Applies only to tenant occupancy; a rental occupancy permit or continued certificate of occupancy is required first (§ 96-1).
    • Does not establish whether manufactured homes are permitted in any zoning district.
    “including a mobile home and modular unit, unless said person, firm, partnership or corporation shall first obtain from the borough of clementon an occupancy permit or continued certificate of occupancy”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    Individual sewage disposal systems on land inside Clementon borough

    • The borough Board of Health adopts and administers the individual sewage disposal code under state enabling law (N.J.S.A. 26:3-69.1 to 26:3-69.6).
    • The adopted code text is incorporated by reference and was not read here.
    “[history: adopted by the board of health of the borough of clementon 11-22-1967. amendments noted where applicable.]”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Locating, constructing or altering an individual sewage disposal system inside Clementon borough

    • Permit issued by the Board of Health before any system is located, constructed or altered (§ 316-4).

    application and plans fee, new individual system: 10 USD · permit fee, locate/construct or alter: 5 USD

    “no person shall locate, construct or alter any individual sewage disposal system until a permit for the location, construction or alteration of said sewage disposal system shall have been issued by the board of health.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    New individual sewage disposal systems and dwellings relying on them inside Clementon borough

    • Board of Health must issue a certificate that the system was built in compliance with the permit and code before it is placed in operation or the dwelling is sold or occupied (§ 316-5).
    • Certificate not required for alterations to an existing system.
    • Reinspection fee applies if work does not comply with the permit (§ 316-9 d); the code does not spell out the inspection steps.
    “issuance of such certificate shall not be required for alterations to an existing individual sewage disposal system.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Homes inside Clementon borough that rely on an individual septic system instead of public sewer

    • Individual systems are allowed only with a Board of Health permit and a compliance certificate before occupancy (§ 316-4, § 316-5).
    • Public sewer connection rules (Chapters 226/291) were not verified, so whether a home must connect to public sewer is unresolved.
    “no person shall locate, construct or alter any individual sewage disposal system until a permit for the location, construction or alteration of said sewage disposal system shall have been issued by the board of health.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Board of Health septic permit fees and rental certificate of occupancy fees inside Clementon borough (building-permit fees under Chapter 105 not verified)

    • Fees are as stated in the cited sections; the Chapter 125 fee schedule was not opened, so later amendments are unverified.

    septic application and plans fee, new system: 10 USD · septic permit fee, locate/construct or alter: 5 USD · rental certificate of occupancy fee, private residence or duplex: 60 USD

    “for the filing of an application and plans for a permit to locate and construct an individual sewage disposal system, $10.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Septic permit and certificate process before the Board of Health inside Clementon borough

    • Covers septic only; building-permit, zoning and rental processes are not verified.
    “in case any permit or certificate required by this chapter is denied by the board of health, a hearing shall be held thereon before the board within 15 days after request therefor is made by the applicant”

Still unanswered

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

  • Building permit — New construction and alterations inside Clementon borough (building permits under the Uniform Construction Code)
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders constructing a home inside Clementon borough
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Clementon borough (R-1, R-2 and R-5 districts)
  • Minimum lot size — Main single-family residential districts inside Clementon borough (R-1, R-2 and R-5)
  • Setbacks — Main single-family residential districts inside Clementon borough (R-1, R-2 and R-5)
12 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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 Borough of Clementon publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Camden County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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