Bolthole Index

Monmouth County, New Jersey

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

Roosevelt, a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, requires a permit from its Zoning Officer before anyone erects, alters or converts a structure or changes how land is used1. Construction permits follow the state Uniform Construction Code2. The borough zones its own land3, and septic systems need a Health Officer permit4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; the Zoning Officer issues the zoning permit and construction permits follow the state code12
Zoning
Yes, borough zoning districts including R-40, R-100, AH, C-40, I-80 and R-AG 4003
Septic
Health Officer permit required before locating, building or altering a system4
Public water and sewer
Required for principal buildings outside the R-AG district5
Certificate of occupancy
Required from the Construction Official before use6
Short-term rentals
Rentals under 30 days prohibited in R-40, R-100 and R-AG 4007

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Borough of Roosevelt (Borough Hall)

Borough offices for Roosevelt, the starting point for zoning permits, construction permits and the Health Officer

609-448-0539

33 North Rochdale Avenue

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

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Do you need a building permit in Roosevelt, NJ?

Yes. Roosevelt's zoning ordinance says no person may erect, alter or convert any structure or building, or alter the use of land, until the proper permit has been issued by the Zoning Officer1. Construction permits are applied for under the Uniform Construction Code8, which New Jersey enforces statewide through each municipality's construction official9. Monmouth County does not issue building permits9.

When the building is finished, no building, structure or land may be occupied or used until the Construction Official issues a certificate of occupancy6. Building anywhere in the flood hazard area adds a separate application to the Floodplain Administrator10.

Does Roosevelt have zoning, and what does it cover?

Yes. The Borough of Roosevelt publishes its own zoning districts and a Schedule of District Regulations covering R-40, R-100, AH, C-40, I-80 and R-AG 4003. Lot, yard, coverage and height controls differ by district, so read the schedule for the exact parcel's district before you plan a building11.

Within Roosevelt, principal-use buildings must connect to the Borough's public water and sewer systems unless they are in the R-AG district5. Rentals of residential structures for periods of less than 30 days are prohibited in the R-40, R-100 and R-AG 400 districts7.

We could not confirm Roosevelt's rules on RV occupancy, tiny homes, manufactured homes, accessory dwellings or minimum dwelling size. Ask Borough Hall before you assume any of them are allowed.

How do septic permits work in Roosevelt, NJ?

The Borough requires a permit from its Health Officer before anyone locates, constructs or alters an individual sewage disposal system4. The application fee is $2 to locate and construct, and $2 to alter an existing system4. The application may need an engineer's certificate stating compliance with N.J.A.C. 7:9A4.

On-site water and sewerage are an option only in the R-AG district, on tracts that conform to that district's standards12. Statewide, the local board of health must certify the sewerage facilities before a building permit can issue13.

Monmouth County's Office of Public Health handles septic approvals and inspections for its member municipalities14. We could not confirm whether Roosevelt is one, so ask Borough Hall which health office to use.

Building a home in Roosevelt: the steps, in order

  1. Find the parcel's zoning district in the borough code and confirm what it allows3.
  2. Settle water and sewer: public connection outside R-AG, or an on-site system with a Health Officer permit in R-AG54.
  3. If you are dividing land, expect subdivision or site-plan review under the Borough's ordinance15.
  4. Get the Zoning Officer's permit and the construction permits under the Uniform Construction Code1.
  5. Check flood hazard status and apply to the Floodplain Administrator if it applies10.
  6. Finish with a certificate of occupancy from the Construction Official6.

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

Monmouth County does not zone land in New Jersey16. The county's own review reaches subdivisions and site plans that affect county roads or drainage17. For land outside the borough, see the Monmouth County page.

If an owner builds their own new home, the construction official must receive an owner's affidavit before a certificate of occupancy issues, and the owner builds without New Home Warranty coverage18. We could not confirm any owner-builder exemption from permits inside Roosevelt.

A new well needs a state drilling permit and a municipal or county health official's construction permit19. We could not confirm Roosevelt's own well rules or driveway rules, so ask Borough Hall.

Watch-outs

  • Planning and zoning application fees are non-refundable and exclude professional consultant costs unless the fee schedule says otherwise20.
  • A zoning permit and a Uniform Construction Code permit are separate approvals, so a zoning sign-off alone does not let you start work1.
  • Subdivision and site-plan applications follow the Borough's ordinance and the Residential Site Improvement Standards, so splitting a parcel adds its own review15.

Sources

  1. Article XI: Administration and Enforcement - Borough of Roosevelt, NJ (Borough of Roosevelt), 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. Article IV: District Use and Development Regulation - Borough of Roosevelt, NJ (Borough of Roosevelt), quoted and re-checked
  4. Chapter 25: Health Regulations - Borough of Roosevelt, NJ (Borough of Roosevelt), quoted and re-checked
  5. Article IV: District Use and Development Regulation - Borough of Roosevelt, NJ (Borough of Roosevelt), quoted and re-checked
  6. Article XI: Administration and Enforcement - Borough of Roosevelt, NJ (Borough of Roosevelt), quoted and re-checked
  7. Article IV: District Use and Development Regulation - Borough of Roosevelt, NJ (Borough of Roosevelt), quoted and re-checked
  8. Article XI: Administration and Enforcement - Borough of Roosevelt, NJ (Borough of Roosevelt), quoted and re-checked
  9. NJ DCA - The New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code (2026 county census)
  10. Chapter 14: Flood Damage Prevention - Borough of Roosevelt, NJ (Borough of Roosevelt), quoted and re-checked
  11. P.L. 2013, c.106 (Municipal Land Use Law amendments) (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Article IV: District Use and Development Regulation - Borough of Roosevelt, NJ (Borough of Roosevelt), quoted and re-checked
  13. New Jersey Statutes, R.S. 58:11-23 through 58:11-43 (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Office of Public Health Consumer Public Health/Inspection Services, quoted and re-checked
  15. Chapter 21: Subdivision and Site Plan - Borough of Roosevelt, NJ (Borough of Roosevelt), quoted and re-checked
  16. P.L. 2013, c.106 — Municipal Land Use Law amendments (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Monmouth County Development Regulations Volume I, quoted and re-checked
  18. N.J.A.C. 5:23, Uniform Construction Code (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Bulletin 88-10: Private On-Site Water Supply Systems (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Article XI: Administration and Enforcement - Borough of Roosevelt, NJ (Borough of Roosevelt), quoted and re-checked

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 Roosevelt

Borough of Roosevelt’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Erection, alteration, conversion of structures or buildings, and alteration of land use inside Roosevelt borough.

    • A proper permit must be issued by the Zoning Officer before the covered work or land-use alteration.
    • Applications must comply with the Uniform Construction Code.
    “To insure compliance with the provisions of this ordinance, no person shall erect, alter or convert any structure or building, or part thereof, nor alter the use of land, subsequent to the adoption of this ordinance, until the proper permit has been issued by the Zoning Officer.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupation or use of any building, structure, or land inside Roosevelt borough.

    • No building, structure, or land may be occupied or used until a certificate of occupancy is issued by the Construction Official.
    • A temporary certificate may be issued where site-plan approval exists but conditions remain outstanding, subject to Planning Board approval.
    “No building, structure or land shall be occupied or used until such time as a certificate of occupancy is issued by the Construction Official.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Roosevelt borough.

    • The code publishes district use and development regulations and a Schedule of District Regulations.
    • Published districts include R-40, R-100, AH, C-40, I-80, and R-AG 400.
    “District Regulation | R-40 | R-100 | AH | C-40 | I-80 | R-Ag 400”
  • Septic permitRequired

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

    • A Health Officer permit is required before locating, constructing, or altering the system.
    • The permit application may need an engineer's certificate stating compliance with N.J.A.C. 7:9A.

    application fee to locate and construct: 2 USD · application fee to alter existing system: 2 USD · permit issuance fee: no fee

    “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 Health Officer.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    On-site water and sewerage systems for buildings inside Roosevelt borough.

    • On-site water and sewerage systems may be used for buildings or structures in the R-AG zoning district on tracts conforming to that district's standards.
    • Individual sewage disposal systems also require Health Officer permitting and compliance with N.J.A.C. 7:9A.
    “Buildings or structures in the R-AG zoning district on tracts of land conforming to the standards of that district may utilize on-site water and sewerage systems.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Principal-use buildings or structures inside Roosevelt borough.

    • Except for the R-AG district, construction of a principal-use building or structure requires provision for connection to Borough public water and sewer systems.
    • R-AG conforming tracts may use on-site water and sewer systems.
    “No construction of a building or structure used for a principal use in any zoning district, other than the R-AG district, shall be undertaken in the Borough of Roosevelt unless provision has been made for said building or structure to be connected to the Borough public water and sewerage systems.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and site-plan applications inside Roosevelt borough.

    • Review and approval are governed by the incorporated Model Subdivision and Site Plan Ordinance, subject to the Borough's modifications.
    • Residential Site Improvement Standards at N.J.A.C. 5:21-1 et seq. are enforced in conjunction with the chapter.
    • A minor subdivision is a division into not more than two lots, subject to stated exclusions.
    “Except as otherwise provided in the Residential Site Improvement Standards adopted by rule by the Commissioner of Community Affairs pursuant to section 4 of P.L. 1993, c. 32 (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-40.4) and set forth at N.J.A.C. 5:21-1 et seq., which regulations shall be enforced in conjunction with this chapter, all review and approval of subdivision and site plan applications shall be governed by the provisions of the "Model Subdivision and Site Plan Ordinance"”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in flood hazard areas inside Roosevelt borough.

    • The applicant must apply to the Floodplain Administrator and obtain the required permit before development.
    • A floodplain development permit or approval may be required in addition to a building permit.
    • Necessary federal or state permits must be obtained before approval.
    “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.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Residential rentals for fewer than 30 days in the R-40, R-100, and R-AG 400 districts inside Roosevelt borough.

    • The prohibition applies to rentals of residential structures or individual residences, in whole or part.
    • Other Borough Code requirements, including certificates of occupancy and residential rental property licensing, remain applicable.

    minimum rental period: >= 30 days

    “All rentals of residential structures, in whole or part, or individual residences, in whole or part, in the R-40, R-100 and the R-AG 400 Districts for periods of less than 30 days are prohibited.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Planning and zoning application fees inside Roosevelt borough.

    • Fees are non-refundable.
    • Fees exclude professional consultant expenses unless Schedule A states otherwise.
    • Combined approvals require the sum of the fees for each approval element.
    “The fees set forth in Schedule A shall be non-refundable and are for the purpose of offsetting in-house administrative, clerical and technical costs, exclusive of expenses for professional consultants, such as legal, planning, engineering and other professional fees, costs and expenses, except as otherwise noted in Schedule A, The fee to be paid shall be the sum of the fees for the component elements of the plat or plan.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning and development applications inside Roosevelt borough.

    • Applications are made under the Uniform Construction Code for construction permits.
    • Development applications require the prescribed fee and complete application materials.
    • If the secretary does not notify the applicant within 45 days that an application is incomplete, it is deemed complete as of submission.
    “Unless the applicant, is informed in writing by the secretary of the Planning Board within 45 days of the actual submission of the application that it is incomplete, said application shall be deemed complete as of the date it was submitted.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from construction permitting inside Roosevelt borough.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Roosevelt borough.
  • Living in an RV — Occupancy of land or housing by recreational vehicles inside Roosevelt borough.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Roosevelt borough.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Roosevelt borough.
5 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 Roosevelt publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Monmouth County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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