Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Borough of Andover, New Jersey

Borough of Andover’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Andover borough limits: the Borough's own zoning ordinance (Chapter 134, Zoning) governs uses and dimensions in the Borough's zoning districts.

  • Chapter 134 history states it was adopted by the Borough mayor and council on 8-9-1971 and amended since; the code index says legislation is included through 06-08-2026.
  • Use-level rules for RV, manufactured, tiny-home, accessory-dwelling and temporary-camping occupancy were not read and are not answered by this claim.

  “[history: adopted by the mayor and council of the borough of andover 8-9-1971. [1] amendments noted where applicable.]”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts of Andover borough

  • The Chapter 134 table of contents lists districts R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3, C-1, P, C-3, IP and a zoning map (§ 134-11); district text for each was not fully read.
  • Zoning map itself not opened.

  “article iii classification of districts § 134-10 enumeration of districts.”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Setbacks for accessory uses in the Borough's R-2 residential zone

  • Accessory-use setbacks are set by the Schedule of Dimensional Regulations, which is an attachment to Chapter 134 and was not opened, so the numeric distances are not recorded.
  • Principal-use setbacks in R-1, R-1A, R-2 and R-3 remain unanswered.

  “all setback requirements for accessory uses shall be those indicated in the schedule of dimensional regulations.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  New construction and substantial improvement of habitable buildings located in flood hazard areas inside Andover borough

  • Lowest floor must be at or above the local design flood elevation (§ 74-12) and be confirmed by an elevation certificate.
  • Enclosures below grade on all sides are prohibited for habitable structures.
  • Source is the Borough flood damage prevention provisions (Chapter 74); the chapter was not opened in full.

  “all new construction and substantial improvement of any habitable building (as defined in article ix) located in flood hazard areas shall have the lowest floor, including basement, together with the attendant utilities (including all electrical, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and other service equipment) and sanitary facilities, elevated to or above the local design flood elevation as determined in § 74-12, be in conformance with asce chapter 7, and be confirmed by an elevation certificate.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Construction permit fees inside Andover borough

  • Fees are set by Chapter 66 § 66-2 for construction permits; other fees (zoning permit, development, sign permit) are in the same chapter.
  • Plan review fee is 20% of the construction permit fee.

  minimum building permit fee: >= 30 USD (minimum under any § 66-2 category)

  “the minimum fee for any building permit shall be $30 under any of the categories set forth in this section.”

• Permit processPartial

  Construction permit application and fee process inside Andover borough

  • Only the fee and payment-timing rules were read (Chapter 66 § 66-2); application forms, review steps and the enforcing agency in Chapter 51 were not read.

  “it shall be applicable to all subcodes and fees listed herein except as noted and shall be paid at the time of application for a permit if required by the construction official.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for owner-occupied construction inside Andover borough
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area in Andover borough residential districts
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot area for the Borough's R-1 and R-2 residential districts
• Lot coverage — Maximum lot coverage in Andover borough residential districts
• Building height — Maximum building height in Andover borough residential districts

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.

Off-grid gear

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

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.