Bolthole Index

Salem County, New Jersey

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Alloway Township, New Jersey

Alloway Township, New Jersey requires a construction permit before you build, and the township enforces the state Uniform Construction Code itself1. Zoning is also the township's own, set by its Chapter 75 zoning ordinance rather than by Salem County2. Septic permits come from the Salem County Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Division3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; issued by the township's construction enforcing agency under the state code14
Zoning
Yes, township zoning ordinance with districts and a zoning map2
Septic permit
Salem County Environmental Health Division3
Public sewer and water
None available; onsite septic and onsite water are required5
Certificate of occupancy
Required for new or enlarged buildings6
Lot size, setbacks, height
Set per zoning district in the township's Schedule of District Regulations789
Owner-builder
Owner-built homes need an affidavit filed before a certificate of occupancy; permits still apply10

Who to call

Zoning

Alloway Township Housing and Zoning Official

Zoning map, zoning questions and certificate of occupancy paperwork inside Alloway Township

(856) 935-4080

housingzoning@allowaytownship.com

49 S. Greenwich Street

Septic permits

Salem County Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Division

Reviews applications and issues permits for septic systems, and inspects installations, for addresses in Salem County including Alloway Township

856-935-7510

110 Fifth Street, Suite 500, Salem, NJ 08079

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

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

Yes. Alloway Township divides its land into zoning districts shown on the township zoning map, under Chapter 75 of the township code2. Salem County does not zone; in New Jersey that power sits with municipalities, so the county page for unincorporated land does not apply here11.

Minimum lot area and width, yards and setbacks, lot coverage and building height are all set district by district in the township's Schedule of District Regulations78129. A minimum floor area also applies to every dwelling unit13. We could not confirm the numbers for any one district, so find the parcel's district on the zoning map and ask the Housing and Zoning Official14.

When the township measures a lot's minimum size, it leaves out wetlands, agricultural buffers, steep slopes and riparian buffers7.

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

Yes. New Jersey requires a construction permit for any new construction and for work on existing buildings, with an exception for ordinary maintenance and routine repair4. Alloway Township has established its own enforcing agency, the Alloway Township Construction Administration, with building, plumbing, electrical and fire subcode officials1. The public can deal with that agency at one office location15.

The state requires the enforcing agency to release or deny a complete application within 20 business days16. Construction fees are set by township ordinance, and the code lists a $75 zoning permit fee and a $50 occupancy permit fee17. We could not confirm that those figures are current, so ask the township for its fee schedule. The township's main number is on the contact page14.

Because New Jersey municipalities run building permits, Salem County does not issue them18.

How do septic permits work in Alloway Township?

Salem County, not the township, reviews and permits septic systems here. The Salem County Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Division, issues septic permits and inspects installations319.

The township states that no public sewer or water supply is available, so a new home needs both an onsite septic system and its own water supply5. State law bars a building permit until the board of health certifies the planned water supply and sewage facilities20. In practice, start with the septic application, then apply for the building permit.

Soils make this a real planning step. Only about 0.1% of Salem County's soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system21. A septic tank or field cannot be covered until a health representative inspects it22.

New private wells need a state permit first, then the county well application23.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Alloway Township?

We could not confirm. Alloway Township zones its land, so the answer depends on the district and on the township's trailer rules, and we have not confirmed what they say about long-term RV living, temporary camping or tiny homes. Ask the Housing and Zoning Official before you buy or place anything14.

One thing is settled at the state level: a HUD manufactured home is limited to single-family dwelling use, and the federal government alone oversees its installation in New Jersey24. We could not confirm whether the township's districts allow manufactured homes.

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

  1. Find the parcel's zoning district on the township zoning map and ask the Housing and Zoning Official what the district allows214.
  2. Apply to Salem County Environmental Health for septic approval; the board of health must certify the water and sewage plans before any building permit issues2019.
  3. Get zoning approval and a construction permit from the township; the Uniform Construction Code is enforced by the township's own agency1.
  4. Build with the required inspections, which stop work at set points such as footings and rough plumbing and electrical25.
  5. Pass the final inspection and obtain a certificate of occupancy before anyone uses the building6.
  6. If you built the home yourself, file the owner-built affidavit with the construction official first10.

What stays with Salem County, and what to check before you buy in Alloway Township

Septic permits and well permits stay with Salem County323. County Planning Board review also applies to subdivisions and site plans, in addition to the township's approval26. A driveway onto a county road needs a Salem County Road Access Application filed with the County Engineer's office27, and a driveway onto a state highway needs a state access permit28.

For land outside Alloway, see the Salem County page. Salem County's median property tax bill is $6,757 a year29, and the typical home value is $304,02030. We could not confirm flood-hazard rules inside the township, so ask the township before you buy near water.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm the numeric lot size, setback, height and minimum floor area for any Alloway zoning district, so get the figures for your parcel from the Housing and Zoning Official before you close7.
  • The permit fees we found come from the township code as last amended in 2011, so ask the township for its current schedule17.
  • RV living, tiny homes, accessory dwellings and short-term rentals are unconfirmed inside the township, so ask the Housing and Zoning Official before relying on any of them14.
  • No public sewer or water is available, so budget for a septic system and a well, and for soils that rate poorly for conventional drain fields521.

Sources

  1. Chapter 52 Construction Codes, Uniform (eCode360) (Alloway Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 75 Land Use, Part 2 Zoning and attachments (eCode360) (Alloway Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Sewage Systems, Salem County Department of Health and Human Services (Alloway Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. The New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code — General Information, quoted and re-checked
  5. Article IX District Regulations, Chapter 75 (eCode360) (Alloway Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Article XII Administration and Enforcement, Chapter 75 (eCode360) (Alloway Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Article IX District Regulations, Chapter 75 (eCode360) (Alloway Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Article IX District Regulations, Chapter 75 (eCode360) (Alloway Township), quoted and re-checked
  9. Article IX District Regulations, Chapter 75 (eCode360) (Alloway Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. N.J.A.C. 5:23, Uniform Construction Code (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. Article IX District Regulations, Chapter 75 (eCode360) (Alloway Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. Article IX District Regulations, Chapter 75 (eCode360) (Alloway Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. Alloway Township Housing and Zoning Official (allowaytownship.com)
  15. Chapter 52 Construction Codes, Uniform (eCode360) (Alloway Township), quoted and re-checked
  16. The New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code, quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 52 Construction Codes, Uniform (eCode360) (Alloway Township), quoted and re-checked
  18. NJ DCA - The New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code (2026 county census)
  19. Salem County Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Division (health.salemcountynj.gov)
  20. New Jersey Statutes, R.S. 58:11-23 through 58:11-43 (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. 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
  22. New Jersey Statutes, R.S. 58:11-23 through 58:11-43 (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Well Permits and Private Well Testing Act Program, quoted and re-checked
  24. Manufactured/Modular Buildings Program (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, New Home Warranty—Consumer Information (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Land Development Standards of the County of Salem, New Jersey, quoted and re-checked
  27. Salem County Road Access Application Package, quoted and re-checked
  28. Major Access Permits (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data

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 Alloway Township

Alloway Township’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside Alloway township limits, under the New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code as enforced by the township

    • Enforced by the 'Alloway Township Construction Administration' with construction, building, plumbing, electrical and fire subcode officials.
    • Chapter 52 was adopted by Ord. No. 161 on 1-31-1977; the state code applies by statute.
    “there is hereby established in alloway township a state uniform construction code enforcing agency to be known as”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New, changed, converted or enlarged buildings and premises inside Alloway township limits

    • Certificate is countersigned by the zoning officer, who may also act as township building inspector (§ 75-62).
    • Temporary certificate of occupancy fee is $25 and continued certificate fee is $75 per § 52-2(a)(12)-(13).
    • Chapter 50 (Certificates of Occupancy) is listed in the code index and was not opened.
    “it shall be unlawful to use or occupy or to permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises, or both, or part thereof, hereinafter created, erected, changed, converted or wholly or partly enlarged in its use or structure until a certificate of occupancy shall have been countersigned by the zoning officer”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Alloway township limits, where the township administers its own zoning ordinance (Chapter 75, Part 2 Zoning)

    • Use lists, dimensional limits and coverage are set by the Schedule of District Regulations, which is adopted by reference and is attached to Chapter 75; its figures were not retrieved.
    • Zoning permits and certificates of occupancy are administered by the zoning officer under Article XII.
    “alloway township is hereby divided into zoning districts as shown on the alloway township zoning map, originally dated january 18, 1977, or as may be subsequently amended.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Dwelling units inside Alloway township limits; the minimum habitable floor area figure is NOT extracted here

    • A minimum habitable floor area applies to every dwelling unit; the numeric figure is set in the zoning schedule and was not retrieved.
    “no dwelling unit shall be smaller in habitable floor area;”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Lots inside Alloway township limits; the numeric minimum for the main single-family residential district and the agricultural or rural-residential district is NOT extracted here (see followups)

    • Minimum lot area and width are set per zoning district in the Schedule of District Regulations.
    • § 75-34(b) excludes wetlands, agricultural buffers, streetscape buffers, NJDEP wetland transition areas, steep slopes and riparian buffers when calculating the minimum size of a parcel created.
    “no lot shall be smaller in area or width than the minimum lot area and width requirements for the zoning district in which it is located, as shown on the zoning map and the schedule of district regulations.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Yards and setbacks for lots inside Alloway township limits; per-district yard numbers for the main single-family residential and agricultural or rural-residential districts are NOT extracted here (see followups)

    • Yard minimums are set per zoning district in the Schedule of District Regulations (§ 75-35).
    • Cluster developments face a 150-foot setback from external roads per Article X, not yet verified.
    “no yard shall have a horizontal dimension measured according to directions contained in article v, definitions, less than the minimum yard dimensions specified for the zoning district in which such lot is located as shown on the zoning map and the schedule of district regulations.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Aggregate building coverage on lots inside Alloway township limits; per-district maximums for the main single-family residential and agricultural or rural-residential districts are NOT extracted here (see followups)

    • Maximum coverage is set per zoning district in the Schedule of District Regulations (§ 75-36).
    “no aggregate of buildings on a lot shall exceed the coverage for the zoning district in which such lot is located as specified on the zoning map and the schedule of district regulations.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Structure height on lots inside Alloway township limits; per-district maximums for the main single-family residential and agricultural or rural-residential districts are NOT extracted here (see followups)

    • Maximum height is set per zoning district in the Schedule of District Regulations (§ 75-36); height exceptions are in § 75-23, not yet read.
    “no structure on a lot shall exceed the maximum height;”
  • Mandatory utility hookupNone (with conditions)

    New dwellings inside Alloway township limits, which the township states have no public sewer or water service available

    • Onsite septic disposal and onsite water supply are therefore required; see septic and well topics.
    • The statement sits in the growth-share section (§ 75-36.1(e)(4)) but describes the township generally.
    • Chapter 30 (municipal sewer utility) and Chapter 96 (sewers) exist in the code index and were not opened; they should be checked for any service-area exception.
    “because no public sewer or water supply systems are available in the township thereby requiring onsite provision of septic disposal and water supply systems”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Construction, zoning and occupancy permit fees inside Alloway township limits

    • Construction fees are per cubic foot or per $1,000 of cost, with minimums (§ 52-2(a)(1)).
    • Plan review fee is 25% of the construction permit fee, paid before plan review (§ 52-2(a)(5)).
    • Surcharge: $0.00334 per cubic foot of new construction, and $1.70 per $1,000 for other work (§ 52-2(c)).
    • Figures are from the code as amended through Ord. No. 454 (2011); the page did not state a newer schedule.

    zoning permit fee: 75 USD · occupancy permit fee: 50 USD · temporary certificate of occupancy fee: 25 USD · continued certificate of occupancy fee: 75 USD · demolition permit fee: 40 USD

    “(11) the fee for a zoning permit shall be $75.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permit process inside Alloway township limits, handled by the township construction enforcing agency

    • The public may transact business with the enforcing agency at one office location, except in emergencies (§ 52-1(c)).
    • Application forms, review timing and zoning-permit application steps (§ 75-68) were not read in full.
    “the public shall have the right to do business with the enforcing agency at one office location”

Rules another office applies inside Alloway Township

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

  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Onsite subsurface sewage disposal (septic) for land inside Alloway township, which lies within Salem County; the Salem County Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Health Division, reviews and permits these systems

    • Inspectors review applications and issue permits under state standards for design, installation and maintenance (page cites N.J.A.C. 7:9A rules effective April 2, 2012).
    • Alloway's own Chapter 95 (Sewage Disposal Systems, Individual) was listed in the code index but not opened, so any township role is unconfirmed.
    • The county page does not name Alloway specifically; the link to Alloway is county-wide jurisdiction.
    “inspectors review applications and issue permits for subsurface sewage disposal systems (septic systems).”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Onsite septic installations inside Alloway township, field-inspected by Salem County

    • The county performs field inspections of installations and responds to complaints; the page does not state a mandatory inspection for every system.
    • Separate department-recognized inspections are required for real-property transfers under N.J.A.C. 7:9A protocol.
    “inspectors also perform field inspections of installations.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for homeowner-performed construction inside Alloway township
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Alloway township limits
  • Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside Alloway township limits
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Alloway township limits
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Alloway township limits
8 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • 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 Alloway Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Salem County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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