Bolthole Index

Passaic County, New Jersey

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

The Borough of Bloomingdale, in Passaic County, New Jersey, runs its own zoning under Chapter 92 of the borough code1. Construction permits are required under the statewide Uniform Construction Code2, and the borough Building Department is the office to call3. Septic systems need board of health certification before a building permit can issue4. Passaic County does not zone land5.

At a glance

Building permit
Required under New Jersey's Uniform Construction Code; apply to the borough Building Department23
Zoning
Borough zoning (Chapter 92), not county zoning15
Largest-lot district
R-130: 3 acres minimum, 250 feet of frontage6
Main single-family district
R-10: 10,000 square feet minimum lot7
Septic
Board of health certification required; banned within 100 feet of a public sewer48
Owner-builder
Owner may prepare own plans by affidavit; permit and inspections still required9

Who to call

Building permits

Bloomingdale Building Department

Construction, zoning and subcode officials for the borough, the office to ask about building permits and zoning approval

973-838-7995

101 Hamburg Turnpike, Bloomingdale, NJ 07403

Health department

Bloomingdale Board of Health

Borough health department; ask here about septic certification and well permits

973-838-0778 x241

101 Hamburg Turnpike, Bloomingdale, NJ 07403

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

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Does Bloomingdale, NJ have zoning?

Yes. The Borough of Bloomingdale zones its own land under Chapter 92 of the borough code1. Passaic County has no zoning authority of its own, so the borough, not the county, decides what can be built on a lot5.

The one-family districts include R-130, R-40, R-20, R-20U, R-10 and R-40-TH10. The borough has no separate agricultural or rural-residential zone6. In R-130, the largest-lot district, a lot needs at least three acres, 250 feet of frontage and 350 feet of depth6. In R-10, the lot needs at least 10,000 square feet, 75 feet of frontage and 100 feet of depth7.

Setbacks and coverage differ by district. R-130 principal structures need a 50-foot front yard and 50-foot rear yard11, and total lot coverage is capped at 12 percent12. R-10 requires a 25-foot front yard and 25-foot rear yard13, with lot coverage capped at 45 percent14. Principal buildings in both districts top out at 35 feet1516. Check the borough zoning map for your parcel's district.

Can you live in an RV, tiny home or accessory building in Bloomingdale?

We could not confirm Bloomingdale's rules on long-term RV living, camping or tiny homes, so ask the Building Department before you plan on any of them3. One rule is clear: accessory structures such as detached garages and sheds may not be used as a dwelling17. A residential lot may hold one principal dwelling and no more than two accessory structures17. Manufactured HUD homes statewide are limited to use group R-5, single-family dwellings18; whether Bloomingdale's zoning allows one on a given lot is unconfirmed.

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

Yes. New Jersey law makes it unlawful to construct, enlarge, alter or demolish a structure without first filing an application with the construction official and obtaining the permit2. In Bloomingdale that is the borough Building Department, which lists a construction and zoning official and building, electrical, plumbing and fire subcode officials3. Ordinary maintenance does not need a permit, and minor work is treated separately2.

An owner building a single-family home for personal use may prepare the plans personally and file an affidavit to waive the sealed-plan requirement, but the construction permit and inspections still apply9. Fee amounts are set by borough ordinance, and we have not confirmed Bloomingdale's current schedule19. Statewide, the plan-review fee runs from five percent to 25 percent of the construction-permit fee20.

How do septic permits work in Bloomingdale?

Septic approval comes from the board of health, not the Building Department. State law bars any municipality from issuing a building permit until the board of health certifies that the proposed sewerage facilities comply with state and local standards4. The board's authorized representative must also inspect a septic tank or tile field before it is covered21. Bloomingdale's health office is reached through the board of health secretary22.

Sewer comes first where it is available. Septic tanks and cesspools are unlawful where a public sewer lies within 100 feet of the property line8, and the borough requires connection within 120 days of official notice23. Where no sewer is available, private systems are allowed at the owner's expense under state health standards8. Soil is a real constraint: about 11.4 percent of Passaic County soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so most rural lots need a site evaluation24. Private wells need a state drilling permit plus a municipal or county health official's construction permit25.

Building a home in Bloomingdale: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the lot's zoning district and check minimum lot size, setbacks and coverage against your plans with the Building Department3.
  2. Ask whether a public sewer is within 100 feet of the property line; if so, plan to connect rather than install septic8.
  3. If no sewer is available, get board of health certification of your septic and water plans before applying for the building permit4.
  4. Subdividing a lot goes through borough Chapter 69 site plan and subdivision rules26, and subdivisions that touch county roads also go to the Passaic County Planning Board27.
  5. File the construction permit application with the construction official; no permit issues until all required state, county and local approvals are in place28.
  6. Stop work for inspections at the footing, rough plumbing and electrical, and framing stages29.
  7. Obtain the certificate of occupancy after final inspection30. An owner-built home also needs an affidavit filed with the construction official31.

What stays with Passaic County and the state, and what to check before you buy?

The county's role is limited. Passaic County reviews subdivisions through its Planning Board27 but does not zone land32. A driveway onto a state highway needs a state access permit33. For land outside Bloomingdale, see the Passaic County page.

County-level numbers frame the cost: the typical home value is about $604,08334, and the effective property tax rate is 2.3 percent35. Passaic County is dense, with about 2,760 people per square mile36.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm who issues septic permits in Bloomingdale or what its board of health ordinance requires, so call the board of health secretary before you buy a lot that is not on sewer22.
  • Rules on RVs, camping, tiny homes and minimum house size inside Bloomingdale were not confirmed; ask the Building Department before you rely on any of them3.
  • The borough's rules apply only inside Bloomingdale; land across the line in a neighboring town follows that town's zoning5.

Sources

  1. Chapter 92 Zoning, Article XII Schedule of Regulations (eCode360) (Borough of Bloomingdale), 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. Bloomingdale Building Department (bloomingdalenj.net)
  4. New Jersey Statutes, R.S. 58:11-23 through 58:11-43 (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  5. P.L. 2013, c.106 — Municipal Land Use Law amendments (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 92 Zoning, Article XII Schedule of Regulations (eCode360) (Borough of Bloomingdale), quoted and re-checked
  7. Chapter 92 Zoning, Article XII Schedule of Regulations (eCode360) (Borough of Bloomingdale), quoted and re-checked
  8. Chapter 18 Sewers (eCode360) (Borough of Bloomingdale), quoted and re-checked
  9. N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.15A Construction permit for a single-family residence, quoted and re-checked
  10. Chapter 92 Zoning, Article XII Schedule of Regulations (eCode360) (Borough of Bloomingdale), quoted and re-checked
  11. Chapter 92 Zoning, Article XII Schedule of Regulations (eCode360) (Borough of Bloomingdale), quoted and re-checked
  12. Chapter 92 Zoning, Article XII Schedule of Regulations (eCode360) (Borough of Bloomingdale), quoted and re-checked
  13. Chapter 92 Zoning, Article XII Schedule of Regulations (eCode360) (Borough of Bloomingdale), quoted and re-checked
  14. Chapter 92 Zoning, Article XII Schedule of Regulations (eCode360) (Borough of Bloomingdale), quoted and re-checked
  15. Chapter 92 Zoning, Article XII Schedule of Regulations (eCode360) (Borough of Bloomingdale), quoted and re-checked
  16. Chapter 92 Zoning, Article XII Schedule of Regulations (eCode360) (Borough of Bloomingdale), quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 92 Zoning, Article IV Supplementary Lot, Height and Yard Regulations (eCode360) (Borough of Bloomingdale), quoted and re-checked
  18. Manufactured/Modular Buildings Program (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. ecode360.com (Borough of Bloomingdale), quoted and re-checked
  20. New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23 (New Jersey statewide rule), 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. Bloomingdale Board of Health (bloomingdalenj.net)
  23. Chapter 18 Sewers (eCode360) (Borough of Bloomingdale), 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. Bulletin 88-10: Private On-Site Water Supply Systems (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Borough of Bloomingdale, NJ code table of contents (eCode360) (Borough of Bloomingdale), quoted and re-checked
  27. Passaic County Subdivision Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  28. New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23 (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, New Home Warranty—Consumer Information (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  30. N.J.A.C. 5:23, Uniform Construction Code (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  31. N.J.A.C. 5:23, Uniform Construction Code (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  32. Passaic County NJ State Plan Cross-Acceptance Response, quoted and re-checked
  33. Major Access Permits (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  34. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  35. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  36. Population density: 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 Borough of Bloomingdale

Borough of Bloomingdale’s own rules

  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Residential premises inside Bloomingdale borough, per the § 11-1.6 heading (certificate of continued occupancy)

    • Only the section heading was verified; the triggers, inspection steps and fees in § 11-1.6 were not opened.
    • This is a continued-occupancy certificate, not a new-construction CO; new-build CO rules were not verified.
    “no person shall occupy or use any portion of a commercial, industrial or residential building after such building or portion thereof has been vacated or sold, or which there has been a change of occupancy, until the owner/landlord shall have applied for and secured a certificate of occupancy therefor from the construction official or his designee of the borough.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Bloomingdale borough limits; the borough's own Chapter 92 Zoning zone districts

    • Chapter 92 Zoning is the borough's adopted zoning chapter (§ 92-1 to § 92-66 per the code index); zone-by-zone rules are in Article XII.
    “the following regulations shall apply in the r-130 zone: a. principal permitted uses.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zone districts of the borough's Chapter 92 Zoning inside Bloomingdale borough

    • Article XII lists one-family zones R-130, R-40, R-20, R-20U, R-10, R-40-TH, and multifamily/business/industrial zones after § 92-48; zone boundaries are on a separate eCode360 zone-boundary page not opened.
    “§ 92-44 r-130 one-family residential zone. § 92-45 r-40 one-family residential zone.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Main single-family district R-10 One-Family Residential Zone (§ 92-47), inside Bloomingdale borough

    • Principal permitted uses are all uses permitted in the R-20 zone; the lot standards apply per the R-10 subsection d.

    minimum lot area: >= 10000 square feet · minimum lot frontage: >= 75 feet · minimum lot depth: >= 100 feet

    “d. minimum lot size. (see article iv) (1) minimum lot area: 10,000 square feet. (2) minimum lot frontage: 75 feet. (3) minimum lot depth: 100 feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Large-lot one-family district R-130 One-Family Residential Zone (§ 92-44), inside Bloomingdale borough; the borough has no separate agricultural or rural-residential zone in the Article XII list
      “d. minimum lot size. (see article iv) (1) minimum lot area: three acres. (2) minimum lot frontage: 250 feet. (3) minimum lot depth: 350 feet.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Principal structures in the R-10 One-Family Residential Zone (§ 92-47), inside Bloomingdale borough

    • Accessory structures follow § 92-17 setbacks (for lots under three acres: front 50 feet, interior side 5 feet, rear 5 feet, and 10 feet from principal structure), per the Article IV page.

    front yard: >= 25 feet · side yard, one side: >= 8 feet · side yard, both sides: >= 20 feet · rear yard: >= 25 feet

    “(a) front yard: 25 feet. (b) side yard: [1] one: eight feet. [2] both: 20 feet. (c) back yard: 25 feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    R-10 One-Family Residential Zone (§ 92-47), inside Bloomingdale borough

    • Lot coverage is measured as defined in § 92-43 and capped per § 92-15.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 45 percent · maximum building coverage: <= 25 percent

    “(2) maximum lot coverage: 45%. (see § 92-15) (3) maximum building coverage: 25%”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Principal structures in the R-10 One-Family Residential Zone (§ 92-47), inside Bloomingdale borough

    • Accessory structures are limited separately to 1 1/2 stories or 15 feet (§ 92-17a(1)).

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet · maximum stories: <= 2.5 stories

    “f. maximum building height for principal structures. (see article iv) (1) feet: 35. (2) stories: two and one-half (2 1/2).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Residential lots inside Bloomingdale borough: accessory structures (detached buildings) may not be used as a dwelling

    • Each residential zone lot may have not more than one principal dwelling structure and not more than two accessory structures, including a private garage (§ 92-16).
    • The code text reviewed does not address an accessory apartment inside the principal dwelling; that question is not answered by this claim.
    “c. accessory structures shall not be utilized as a dwelling structure.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private sewage disposal (privy, septic tank, cesspool, private sewerage plant) inside Bloomingdale borough

    • Where no public sewer is available or planned, private cesspools with disposal tanks or beds and private treatment plants are permitted at the owner's expense, built strictly to NJ State Board of Health requirements.
    • Once a public sewer is constructed in such an area, connection is required within 90 days after official notice.
    • Where a public sewer is within 100 feet of the property line, construction or maintenance of a septic tank, cesspool or similar facility is unlawful (§ 18-5.2).

    distance from public sewer for septic ban: <= 100 feet (septic and similar facilities unlawful where public sewer is within this distance)

    “it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, private sewerage plant system or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage where a public sewer is within 100 feet of the property line.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    New homes and buildings abutting a street with a borough public sanitary sewer inside Bloomingdale borough

    • Connection is required only where the public sewer is within 100 feet of the property line of the property to be served.
    • Connection is due within 120 days after official notice from the borough.
    • Governing body may waive the requirement by resolution after public hearing on hardship and adequacy of an existing septic system (§ 18-5.5).
    • Water connection is not addressed by this claim; Chapter 17 Water was not opened.

    distance from public sewer to property line: <= 100 feet (connection required only where sewer is within this distance) · connection deadline after official notice: <= 120 days

    “within 120 days after the date of official notice to do so, provided that the public sewer is within 100 feet of the property line of properties to be served.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside Bloomingdale borough

    • Chapter 69 Site Plan Review and Subdivision of Land is in the code index; its text was not opened, so thresholds and procedures are not stated here.
    “chapter 69 site plan review and subdivision of land (§ 69-1 &ndash; § 69-75)”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Construction permit fees inside Bloomingdale borough

    • Section § 11-1.2 'fees' exists in the code; the fee amounts in that section were not opened and are not stated here.
    • Fee schedule currency not verified.
    “§ 11-1.2 fees. § 11-1.3 fire districts established. § 11-1.4 percolation test.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Building permit — New residential construction inside Bloomingdale borough
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permitting inside Bloomingdale borough
  • Inspections — Construction inspections inside Bloomingdale borough
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum habitable floor area for single-family dwellings inside Bloomingdale borough
  • Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside Bloomingdale borough
10 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit process

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

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