Bolthole Index

Gloucester County, New Jersey

Zoning, building permits and septic in Franklin Township, Gloucester County, NJ

Franklin Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey sets its own zoning in Chapter 253 of its township code1. Building permits come from the township's own Construction Department under the state Uniform Construction Code23. Septic permits come from the Gloucester County Health Department, not the township45. Search results often show other Franklin Townships in New Jersey; this guide covers the Gloucester County one.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; issued by the Franklin Township Construction Department26
Zoning
Township zoning districts under Chapter 253 Land Development1
Septic
Gloucester County Health Department, engineer-designed plans47
Owner-builder
Owner-built new homes need an affidavit before a certificate of occupancy8
R-A lot size
1.5 acres minimum for a conventional lot in the R-A district9
Wells
State well-drilling permit required10

Who to call

Building permits

Franklin Township Construction Department

Construction permits, inspections and certificates of occupancy inside Franklin Township

856-694-1234

construction@franklintownship.com

1571 Delsea Drive, Franklinville, NJ 08322

Zoning

Franklin Township Code Enforcement & Land Use (Zoning)

Zoning code review and land use applications for the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment

856-694-1234

zoning@franklintownship.com

1571 Delsea Drive, Franklinville, NJ 08322

Septic permits

Gloucester County Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Health

Septic plan review, installation approval and License to Operate

856-218-4101

204 E Holly Avenue, Sewell, NJ 08080

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 Franklin Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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

Yes. Franklin Township adopts its own zoning districts, and the rules sit inside Chapter 253 (Land Development) of the township code1. New Jersey counties cannot zone, so Gloucester County does not set these rules11.

Rules differ by district. In the R-A Residential Agricultural District, a conventional lot subdivision needs at least 1.5 acres and 150 feet of street frontage9. A conservation subdivision in the same district can use lots of 10,000 square feet with 75 feet of frontage12. Conservation lots must keep front yards of 25 feet, rear yards of 50 feet and side yards of 15 feet each side13; building height is 3 stories or 35 feet14.

We could not confirm the numbers for the township's other districts, minimum home size, accessory dwellings, tiny homes or RV living. Ask the Zoning Officer at Code Enforcement & Land Use before you buy15.

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

Yes. Construction in Franklin Township falls under the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, and the township runs its own enforcing agency, the Franklin Township Construction Code Enforcing Agency2. The Gloucester County government does not issue these permits6.

The township's central permit office receives applications and plan review and issues construction permits and certificates of occupancy16. The township's Construction Department describes its job as permitting, inspecting and monitoring building projects, including new buildings, additions, renovations and demolitions3. The township code sets certificate fees: a certificate of occupancy for new construction costs 10% of the total permit fee17.

For current permit fees on a specific job, call the Construction Department.

How do septic permits work in Franklin Township?

Septic approval comes from Gloucester County, not from the township. The applicant hires a New Jersey professional engineer, who submits the plan with the individual sewage disposal system application form and fees4. The installer then asks the county for required inspections 48 hours in advance18.

Before a new system is used, the county issues a License to Operate5. The township will not issue a certificate of occupancy without well and septic approvals from the county, or certifications with the application15.

Because only a tiny share of Gloucester County soils rate as not limited for conventional drain fields, expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system19. The county flow chart we reviewed did not separately confirm the service area for Franklin Township, so confirm with Environmental Health that your address is covered.

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

We could not confirm. The township code lists chapters on trailer courts and coaches and on private campgrounds, but we could not verify what they allow for living in an RV or tiny home on your own land. Do not assume it is allowed. Call the Zoning Officer at 856-694-1234 and ask for the rule in writing before you buy or park anything15.

For manufactured homes, state rules limit HUD-code manufactured homes to single-family dwelling use, with installation overseen under federal standards20.

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

  1. Ask the Zoning Officer which district your lot is in and whether the lot meets that district's lot size and setbacks15.
  2. Hire a New Jersey engineer for the septic design and submit it to Gloucester County Environmental Health4.
  3. Apply for a construction permit through the Franklin Township Construction Department16.
  4. If you drill a well, a state well-drilling permit is required, and municipal or county health officials issue the well-construction permit10.
  5. Request inspections as work proceeds; permitted work must be performed in accordance with law and the permit conditions21.
  6. If you are building the home yourself, file the owner's affidavit with the construction official before a certificate of occupancy can be issued8.
  7. Get the certificate of occupancy from the township22.

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

Septic and well approvals stay with the county health office, and the township requires them before a certificate of occupancy15. A driveway onto a county road needs a county access permit, while a driveway onto a State highway needs a state access permit2324. Driveway rules for township roads we could not confirm.

For land outside Franklin Township, see the Gloucester County page. County figures: Gloucester County's effective property tax rate is 2.8%25, and typical home value is about $389,89826. Flood rules and mandatory sewer or water connection in Franklin Township we could not confirm; ask the Construction Department.

Watch-outs

  • Many New Jersey townships are called Franklin; make sure any office you call is the Franklin Township in Gloucester County, with its offices at 1571 Delsea Drive in Franklinville3.
  • We could not confirm township rules for RV living, tiny homes, well permits or flood areas; ask the Zoning Officer and Construction Department before you commit15.
  • Lot and setback numbers in the R-A district differ between conventional and conservation subdivisions, so ask which option applies to your parcel9.

Sources

  1. Chapter 253: Land Development - Township of Franklin, NJ (Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 190: Construction Codes, Uniform - Township of Franklin, NJ (Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Franklin Township Construction Department (franklintownshipnj.org)
  4. Septic New Construction or Alteration Flow Chart (Gloucester County Health Department) (Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Gloucester County Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Health (gloucestercountynj.gov)
  6. NJ Department of Community Affairs - Uniform Construction Code (NJAC 5:23) (2026 county census)
  7. Submission Requirements for Wells & Septic Systems (2026 county census)
  8. N.J.A.C. 5:23, Uniform Construction Code (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. R-A Residential Agricultural District - Township of Franklin, NJ (Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Bulletin 88-10: Private On-Site Water Supply Systems (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. R-A Residential Agricultural District - Township of Franklin, NJ (Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. R-A Residential Agricultural District - Township of Franklin, NJ (Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. R-A Residential Agricultural District - Township of Franklin, NJ (Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  15. Franklin Township Code Enforcement & Land Use (Zoning) (franklintownshipnj.org)
  16. Chapter 190: Construction Codes, Uniform - Township of Franklin, NJ (Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 190: Construction Codes, Uniform - Township of Franklin, NJ (Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  18. Septic New Construction or Alteration Flow Chart (Gloucester County Health Department) (Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  19. 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
  20. Manufactured/Modular Buildings Program (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Chapter 190: Construction Codes, Uniform - Township of Franklin, NJ (Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  22. Chapter 190: Construction Codes, Uniform - Township of Franklin, NJ (Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  23. Manual of Specifications and Procedures for County Roadway Access and Opening Permits, quoted and re-checked
  24. Major Access Permits (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Typical home value (Zillow): 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 Franklin Township

Franklin Township’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside Township of Franklin (Gloucester County) under the state Uniform Construction Code enforced by the township agency

    • Adoption and amendment history: adopted 2-21-1977 by Ord. No. O-2-77; amended in its entirety 2-8-2022 by Ord. No. O-3-22 (no effective date is stated as such; effective_at left null).
    “there is hereby established in the township of franklin a state uniform construction code enforcing agency to be known as the "franklin township construction code enforcing agency,"”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction under a permit inside Township of Franklin (Gloucester County)

    • Only the section heading of § 190-6 was retrieved; the inspection schedule and stop-construction rules are not confirmed in text and should be checked.
    “to ensure that the construction or alteration is performed in accordance with law and with the conditions of the construction permit.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New construction and occupancy changes inside Township of Franklin (Gloucester County) handled by the central permit office

    • Certificates of occupancy are issued by the central permit office.
    • Separate fees apply to continued and temporary certificates (see permit_fees claim).
    • Certificate of occupancy transfer for existing dwellings is a separate chapter (Chapter 178) not opened.
    “this office shall receive applications for construction permits and plan review; issue construction permits and certificates of occupancy; collect fees, penalties and fines; and issue notices and orders.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Township of Franklin (Gloucester County) limits: the township's own zoning districts and land-use rules, codified in its Chapter 253 Land Development

    • Zoning articles sit inside Chapter 253 (Land Development), per the code table of contents.
    • Franklin township code only; does not govern unincorporated county land.
    “article ix establishment of zoning districts § 253-86 classes of districts. § 253-87 boundaries; zoning map.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Township of Franklin (Gloucester County) limits

    • Article IX lists the classes of districts and the zoning map; the R-A Residential Agricultural District page was opened.
    • Other district pages (main single-family residential, neighborhood commercial and others) were not opened within the research budget.
    “article ix establishment of zoning districts § 253-86 classes of districts. § 253-87 boundaries; zoning map.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-A Residential Agricultural District inside Township of Franklin, type 2 conservation subdivision

    • Applies only where a type 2 conservation subdivision is used under § 253-107 of the R-A district.
    • Minimum open space is 50% of net developable acreage per the same section.

    minimum lot area: >= 10000 square feet (type 2 conservation subdivision in R-A district) · minimum street frontage: >= 75 feet (type 2 conservation subdivision in R-A district)

    “(b) minimum lot area: 10,000 square feet. (c) minimum street frontage: 75 feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — R-A Residential Agricultural District inside Township of Franklin, type 1 conventional lot subdivision
      “b. dimensional standards for type 1 - conventional lot subdivision. (1) minimum lot area: 1.5 acres. (2) minimum street frontage: 150 feet.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-A Residential Agricultural District inside Township of Franklin, type 2 conservation subdivision

    • Applies only where a type 2 conservation subdivision is used under § 253-107.

    minimum front yard setback: >= 25 feet (type 2 conservation subdivision in R-A district) · minimum rear yard setback: >= 50 feet (type 2 conservation subdivision in R-A district) · minimum side yard setback: >= 15 feet each side (type 2 conservation subdivision in R-A district; 35 feet total)

    “(d) yard regulations: [1] minimum front yard setback: 25 feet. [2] minimum rear yard setback: 50 feet. [3] minimum side yard setback: 15 feet each side, 35 feet total.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-A Residential Agricultural District inside Township of Franklin, type 2 conservation subdivision

    • Applies only where a type 2 conservation subdivision is used; type 1 lot-and-building coverage text was truncated in retrieval.
    • Impervious coverage and building coverage are separate limits.

    maximum impervious lot coverage: <= 30 percent (type 2 conservation subdivision in R-A district) · maximum building coverage: <= 20 percent (type 2 conservation subdivision in R-A district)

    “(e) maximum impervious lot coverage: 30%. (f) maximum building coverage: 20%.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-A Residential Agricultural District inside Township of Franklin, type 2 conservation subdivision

    • Applies only where a type 2 conservation subdivision is used under § 253-107 of the R-A district.

    maximum building height: <= 3 stories (type 2 conservation subdivision in R-A district; or 35 feet) · maximum building height: <= 35 feet (type 2 conservation subdivision in R-A district; or 3 stories)

    “(g) maximum building height: 3 stories or 35 feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Land divided into lots inside Township of Franklin (Gloucester County)

    • Minor subdivisions, plat filing and sale-before-approval rules are in Chapter 253 Article IV.
    • Subdivision approval is required before a plat is filed or lots are sold (§ 253-44 heading).
    “§ 253-43 filing of subdivision plats. § 253-44 sale prior to approval; penalty.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Construction permit, certificate and temporary certificate fees inside Township of Franklin (Gloucester County)

    • Fees are set in the Chapter 190 schedule and are established under N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.18(b) per the code text.
    • The construction code official prepares a biannual report recommending fee changes to the township committee (§ 190-3).
    • Exception fee is $0 for a temporary certificate at first issuance provided the certificate fee is paid on time.

    certificate of occupancy fee for new construction: 10 percent of total permit fee (plus other fees in § 190-2) · continued certificate of occupancy fee, residential: 168 USD ($250 when work performed without a construction permit) · first temporary certificate of occupancy (60 days): 30 USD (exception fee $0 at first issuance if paid on time) · plan review fee: >= 5 percent of construction permit fee (minimum) (maximum 25 percent of construction permit fee)

    “(c) the fee for a certificate of occupancy for new construction shall be 10% of the total permit fee and the fee for a continued certificate of occupancy for a residential property shall be $168, and $250 when work has been performed without a construction permit.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Construction permit application process inside Township of Franklin (Gloucester County)

    • Central permit office at the enforcing agency receives applications and plan review (§ 190-1(d)).
    • Application, expiration and cancellation rules (§ 190-5) and the public-counter details were not read.
    “this office shall receive applications for construction permits and plan review; issue construction permits and certificates of occupancy; collect fees, penalties and fines; and issue notices and orders.”

Rules another office applies inside Franklin Township

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

  • Septic permitRequired

    New or altered onsite septic systems on land inside Township of Franklin (Gloucester County)

    • Applicant engages a New Jersey professional engineer; plans are submitted with the individual sewage disposal system application form and fees.
    • Applies to new construction and alterations per the county flow chart; the county service area for the township was not separately confirmed.
    “engineer designs septic system and submits one copy of plan & survey to cme electronically (along with completed individual sewage disposal system application form and fees).”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Installation of new or altered onsite septic systems on land inside Township of Franklin (Gloucester County)

    • Installer must request the required inspections 48 hours in advance; the county issues the license to operate after inspection.
    • Applies per the county flow chart; township service area not separately confirmed.

    inspection notice: >= 48 hours (advance request to county by installer)

    “installer emails cme for required inspections 48 hours in advance”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Township of Franklin (Gloucester County)
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area inside Township of Franklin (Gloucester County)
  • Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside Township of Franklin (Gloucester County)
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Township of Franklin (Gloucester County)
  • Tiny homes — Tiny home occupancy inside Township of Franklin (Gloucester County)
9 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • 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 Franklin Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Gloucester County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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