Bolthole Index

Camden County, New Jersey

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Gloucester Township, New Jersey

Gloucester Township, New Jersey requires a construction permit for building work, issued by the township's own construction code enforcing agency under the state Uniform Construction Code1. The township writes its own zoning in its Land Development ordinance, Chapter 5002, and living in an RV or trailer is prohibited3. Septic permits come from the township Board of Health4, and Camden County's Septic and Wells Unit reviews individual sewage disposal systems5.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; issued by the township construction code enforcing agency1
Zoning
Township zoning under Land Development Chapter 500; Camden County does not zone26
Septic
Board of Health permit; county Septic and Wells Unit reviews systems45
RV living
Prohibited as a residence3
Minimum lot (R-1)
1 acre for a single-family detached home7
Owner-builder
Available for a home built for personal use; permit and inspections still required89
Short-term rental
Prohibited in all residential districts10

Who to call

Building permits

Gloucester Township Department of Community Development and Planning

Zoning division (zoning permits), construction division (construction permits under the Uniform Construction Code), planning and zoning boards

856-374-3500

1261 Chews Landing-Clementon Rd., Laurel Springs, 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 23, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Gloucester Township, NJ have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, lot size and setbacks?

Yes. Gloucester Township adopts its own zoning in Chapter 500, Land Development, and the zoning officer administers it2. Camden County does not zone land in New Jersey, so the township is the only zoning authority for a lot inside its limits6. The zoning division handles zoning permits for new dwellings, additions, decks, pools, sheds, garages and fences11.

Rules depend on the district. In R-1, the main single-family district, a detached house needs a 1 acre lot, with a 50 foot front yard, 25 foot side yard and 75 foot rear yard712. Building coverage is capped at 15% and lot coverage at 30%13, and height at 35 feet14. In the ER environmental residential district, a detached house needs 80,000 square feet, with a 100 foot front yard1516. Where no public sewer is available, the township's minimum lot size is 1 acre in every district17.

Occupying a recreational vehicle or trailer as a residence is prohibited in Gloucester Township3, and short-term rentals are prohibited in all residential districts10. We could not confirm tiny-home or accessory-dwelling rules; ask the zoning division at 856-374-350011.

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

Yes. Construction work in Gloucester Township needs a permit under the state Uniform Construction Code, and the township's own enforcing agency issues it, not Camden County118. The township's construction division administers all construction activity under that code11. Appeals of enforcing agency decisions go to the Camden County Construction Board of Appeals1.

Fees are published in the township's Chapter 20: new buildings and additions are charged $0.034 per cubic foot with a minimum fee of $20019. Fees for alterations, certificates and each subcode are set in the same chapter, so ask the construction division for a figure on your project19.

A person building a home for personal use can use the owner-builder route, which replaces a licensed builder registration with an owner affidavit; the permit and inspections still apply9. Gloucester Township's own code has no owner-builder provision that we found, so confirm the process with the construction division11.

How do septic permits work in Gloucester Township?

Outside sewered areas, nobody may construct, reconstruct, erect or relocate a privy, cesspool or other excrement receptacle without a permit from the secretary of the township Board of Health204. The application must show construction details and location, and the secretary weighs well locations on the property and neighboring properties20. The secretary may hold the permit until an inspection is made21.

Camden County also runs a Septic and Wells Unit that oversees individual sewage disposal system reviews, including plan review, installation, repair and compliance certificates22. Which of the two reviews your system first is not spelled out in the township code we read, so call both before you buy or design anything.

Where a township sewer line runs past a property, each building must connect, and a privy may not be kept on a sewer-connected property1723. Soils matter too: USDA rates 0% of Camden County soils as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system24.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Gloucester Township?

No to an RV. Occupying a recreational vehicle or trailer as a residence is prohibited inside Gloucester Township3. Storing an RV is a separate matter: storage is allowed in residential districts, but a stored unit may not be hooked up to utility services3.

We could not confirm a tiny-home rule or a rule for temporary camping in the township. A tiny home meant as a dwelling would still need a construction permit and zoning approval, so ask the township's community development office before you buy1125.

Building a home in Gloucester Township: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the zoning district and lot size with the zoning division; a house needs 1 acre in R-1 and a 1 acre minimum anywhere without public sewer71711.
  2. Ask the Board of Health secretary whether your lot is sewered, and plan a septic system with the county Septic and Wells Unit if it is not422.
  3. Apply for a zoning permit with the zoning division11.
  4. Apply for a construction permit with the construction division, and expect plan review111.
  5. Pass the required inspections during construction26.
  6. Obtain a certificate of occupancy before moving in; new buildings need one statewide27.

What stays with Camden County, and what to check before you buy

The township decides zoning and construction permits inside its limits, while Camden County reviews individual sewage disposal systems and private well test results22. For land outside the township, see the Camden County page.

Before buying, check a few things. We could not confirm the township's floodplain rules, so ask the community development office whether the lot is in a flood zone11. A driveway onto a state highway needs a state permit28. Gloucester Township sits in Camden County, where the effective property tax rate is 3.1% and the median bill is $8,063 a year2930. The nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 13 miles from the county center31.

Watch-outs

  • The township code lists a $10 septic application fee, but a 1958 editor's note may be outdated, so confirm the current fee with the Board of Health20.
  • Short-term rentals are prohibited in all residential districts, a rule added in 202410.
  • We could not confirm well permits, floodplain permits or driveway access rules inside the township; ask the community development office at 856-374-350011.

Sources

  1. Chapter 20 Uniform Construction Codes, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 500 Land Development, Article IV Zoning District Regulations, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Chapter 500 Land Development, Article IV Zoning District Regulations, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. Chapter 85 Cesspools and Privies, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Septic and Wells, quoted and re-checked
  6. P.L. 2013, c.106 — Municipal Land Use Law amendments (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Chapter 500 Land Development, Article IV Zoning District Regulations, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Construction Code FAQs for New Home Buyers, quoted and re-checked
  9. NJ DCA - The New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code (2026 county census)
  10. Chapter 500 Land Development, Article IV Zoning District Regulations, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. Gloucester Township Department of Community Development and Planning (glotwp.com)
  12. Chapter 500 Land Development, Article IV Zoning District Regulations, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. Chapter 500 Land Development, Article IV Zoning District Regulations, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. Chapter 500 Land Development, Article IV Zoning District Regulations, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  15. Chapter 500 Land Development, Article IV Zoning District Regulations, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  16. Chapter 500 Land Development, Article IV Zoning District Regulations, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 98 Sanitary Sewer Connections, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  18. N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14, Construction permits—when required (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Chapter 20 Uniform Construction Codes, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  20. Chapter 85 Cesspools and Privies, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  21. Chapter 85 Cesspools and Privies, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  22. Camden County Septic and Wells Unit (camdencounty.com)
  23. Chapter 85 Cesspools and Privies, Township of Gloucester, NJ (eCode360) (Gloucester Township), quoted and re-checked
  24. 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
  25. The New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code: General Information, quoted and re-checked
  26. New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, New Home Warranty—Consumer Information (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. N.J.A.C. 5:23, Uniform Construction Code (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. Major Access Permits (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data

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 Gloucester Township

Gloucester Township’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    New construction, alterations and repairs inside Gloucester township, enforced by the township's Construction Code Enforcing Agency under the state Uniform Construction Code

    • Chapter 20 establishes the township's state Uniform Construction Code enforcing agency; the code itself is the state UCC adopted through N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq. as cited in the township's editor's note.
    • Appeals from enforcing agency decisions go to the Camden County Construction Board of Appeals (§ 20-2).
    “there is hereby established in the township of gloucester a state uniform construction code enforcing agency”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Gloucester township limits, under the township's own Land Development ordinance (Chapter 500) including its zoning district regulations

    • Chapter 500 is titled Land Development on eCode360 and its Article IV is titled Zoning District Regulations; the zoning officer administers the zoning permits referenced in the chapter.
    • Overlay districts (inclusionary affordable apartment, little pond) and the ER environmental residential district are listed in the same article and were not individually analyzed here.
    • Some zoning-only topics below were not answered because the referenced sections were not opened within the research budget.
    “the r-1 residential district is intended for single-family detached uses on one-acre lots.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts of Gloucester township under Chapter 500 Article IV

    • The article lists general regulations, the ER environmental residential district, R-1 through R-4, RA, APT, inclusionary affordable apartment and little pond overlays, SCR, GCR, OR, OF, CR, NC and HW districts, among others.
    “§ 500-401 general regulations. § 500-402 er - environmental residential district. § 500-403 r-1 residential district.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family detached dwelling in the ER environmental residential district (the large-lot rural-residential district) inside Gloucester township

    • The ER district is for low-intensity uses on large lots to limit development on environmentally sensitive land; maximum density is one unit per two acres.
    • Where no public sewer is available, the minimum lot size is one acre under § 500-401.

    minimum lot size: 80000 square feet (single-family detached, ER district)

    “minimum lot size 80,000 square feet 20,000 square feet 1 acre 5 acres”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Principal single-family detached building in the ER environmental residential district inside Gloucester township

    • Table values for the single-family detached column of the ER bulk table.

    front yard: 100 feet (single-family detached, ER) · side yard: 30 feet (single-family detached, ER) · rear yard: 75 feet (single-family detached, ER)

    “front yard 100 feet 50 feet 100 feet 100 feet side yard 30 feet 15 feet 30 feet 30 feet rear yard 75 feet 40 feet 75 feet 75 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Single-family detached lot in the ER environmental residential district inside Gloucester township

    • Building coverage and lot coverage are separate limits; both apply to the single-family detached column.

    maximum building coverage: 10 percent (single-family detached, ER) · maximum lot coverage: 20 percent (single-family detached, ER)

    “maximum building coverage 10% 20% 30% 5% maximum lot coverage 20% 35% 75% 15%”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Principal single-family detached building in the ER environmental residential district inside Gloucester township

    maximum height: <= 35 feet (single-family detached, ER)

    “maximum height 35 feet 35 feet 40 feet 35 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Occupying a recreational vehicle or trailer as a residence on land inside Gloucester township

    • Recreational vehicle and trailer storage is separately allowed in residential districts, but storage units may not be hooked up to utility services and must be stored behind homes at least five feet from rear or side lines (§ 500-401.j).
    • This applies to the use as a residence, not to temporary camping, which was not separately verified.
    “(2) the occupation of recreational vehicles and trailers for residential purposes.”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    Privies, cesspools and other excrement receptacles on land inside Gloucester township outside sewered areas

    • The township Board of Health, through its secretary, issues the permits (Chapter 85, Part III Board of Health ordinances).
    • Camden County Department of Health or any septic-system role was not verified; the search surfaced no official county septic page for this township.
    “no privy, cesspool or other receptacle for human excrement shall be constructed, reconstructed, erected or relocated unless a permit therefor shall have been first obtained from the secretary of the board of health.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, reconstruction, erection or relocation of a privy, cesspool or other excrement receptacle in Gloucester township

    • Application must show construction details and location, and the secretary considers well locations on the property and adjacent properties (§ 85-5).
    • Fee of $10 per application under § 85-5 is stated in the chapter text; a 1958 editor's note lists septic tank and cesspool construction permits at $10 each and may be outdated.
    • The 1958 editor's note states that each new house, or relocated building, in a nonsewer district must install a septic tank and a dry well.

    permit application fee: 10 USD (per application under § 85-5)

    “no privy, cesspool or other receptacle for human excrement shall be constructed, reconstructed, erected or relocated unless a permit therefor shall have been first obtained from the secretary of the board of health.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Privy, cesspool or excrement receptacle installations in Gloucester township that need a Board of Health permit

    • The inspection is discretionary: the secretary may withhold the permit until an inspection is made.
    • No separate septic tank inspection schedule was located in Chapter 85.
    “the secretary may withhold issue of such permit until satisfactory information is furnished and an inspection of the premises made.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Privy or cesspool sanitation on land inside Gloucester township

    • A privy may not be maintained on a property connected to a sewer (§ 85-3), and none may be installed along a sewer line (§ 85-4).
    • Outside sewered areas, a permit from the Board of Health is required (§ 85-5) and the 1958 editor's note calls for a septic tank and dry well in new nonsewer houses.
    • Connection to a sewer is required where a sewer is available (Chapter 98).
    “no privy shall be maintained upon any property having a connection with a sewer.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Buildings on properties along the line of a township sewer inside Gloucester township

    • Connection is required for each building on a property along the line of any sewer (§ 98-2); the Board of Health orders owners to connect once the township or the sewerage authority notifies it that a sewer is available (§ 98-4).
    • The connection date is 730 days after initial operation of the sewer for existing buildings, or 60 days after completion or initial occupancy for new buildings (§ 98-1).
    • The chapter sets no fixed distance from the main. Where no public sewer is available, the zoning minimum lot size is one acre (Land Development § 500-401).
    • Water connection requirements were not verified.
    “the owner of each property along the line of any sewer now or hereafter constructed in the township shall connect each building on such property”
  • Short-term rentalsProhibited

    Short-term rentals in all residential use districts inside Gloucester township

    • Listed in the specifically prohibited uses paragraph of Article IV, added 8-12-2024 by ord. no. o-24-13.
    • The list position was read from adjacent page text; reviewer should confirm the paragraph heading before relying on it.
    • Bed-and-breakfast appears in the same numbered list (item 11); its status was not analyzed separately.
    “(10) short-term rentals in all residential use districts. [added 8-12-2024 by ord. no. o-24-13]”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Construction permit fees for new buildings and additions inside Gloucester township

    • Fee schedule amended by ord. no. o-24-08 on 4-8-2024 per the chapter history note; plan review fee is 10% of the overall permit fee (§ 20-3.b(1)).
    • Alterations and repairs are charged $30 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost with a $75 minimum (§ 20-3.c(1)(b)).
    • Certificate, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and other subcode fees are set in § 20-3 and not all were restated here. The sewer connection fee in Chapter 51 (Article XV) was not verified.

    new building and addition fee rate: 0.034 USD per cubic foot (all use groups; $0.027 for single-story open space over 100,000 sq ft) · new building and addition minimum fee: 200 USD (minimum for all new buildings and additions)

    “new building and/or addition fee(s) for all use groups shall be charged based on volume at a rate of $0.034 per cubic foot.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction of a home inside Gloucester township
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum floor area of a single-family dwelling inside Gloucester township
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Gloucester township
  • Tiny homes — Tiny home occupancy inside Gloucester township
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured home occupancy inside Gloucester township
5 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain

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 Gloucester Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Camden County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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