Bolthole Index

Burlington County, New Jersey

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

Florence Township, New Jersey adopts and enforces its own zoning ordinance1, and the township Construction Office enforces the state Uniform Construction Code for building permits2. Septic permits for Burlington County addresses run through the Burlington County Health Department's Septic and Well Program3. Lot size and setbacks depend on the zoning district.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new construction; issued by the Florence Township Construction Office42
Zoning
Yes, set by the township code (Chapter 91), not the county15
Lot size, R district
Public sewer and water: 20,000 sq ft minimum [[place:minimum-lot-size-r-public-sewer-water]]. On-site septic and well: 1 acre minimum [[place:minimum-lot-size-r-on-site-septic-well]]67
Lot size, RA district
Public water and sewer: 10,000 sq ft minimum [[place:minimum-lot-size-ra-public-sewer-water]]. On-site septic: 1 acre minimum [[place:minimum-lot-size-ra-on-site-septic]]89
Septic
Burlington County Health Department, Septic and Well Program310
Owner-builder
Permits and inspections still apply; an owner-built home needs an affidavit before a certificate of occupancy11

Who to call

Building permits

Florence Township Construction Office

Building permits and inspections for construction in Florence Township under the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code

609-499-2130

[email protected]

711 Broad Street, Florence, NJ 08518

Septic permits

Burlington County Health Department, Environmental Health Division

Applications for permits to construct or alter individual subsurface sewage disposal (septic) systems, repair or replacement of components, and well permits under the county Septic and Well Program

609-265-5548

15 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton, NJ 08060

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

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

Florence Township writes and enforces its own zoning in Chapter 91 of the township code, and Burlington County does not zone15. Districts include R Low-Density Residential, RA residential and an agricultural district12.

In the R district, a house on public sewer and water needs a lot of at least 20,000 square feet, with front and rear yards of at least 50 feet and side yards of at least 20 feet613. With on-site septic and a well, the minimum lot is one acre, the rear yard grows to 80 feet and each side yard to 30 feet714.

In the RA district, public water and sewer allow lots of 10,000 square feet, with a 25-foot front yard815. On-site septic in RA means one acre and a 50-foot front yard916.

Both districts cap lot coverage at 20 percent and principal buildings at 35 feet17181920. We did not confirm the rules for the agricultural district, so ask the township before relying on it.

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

Yes. New construction in New Jersey needs a construction permit under the statewide Uniform Construction Code4, and in Florence Township the Construction Office enforces that code2. Applications go to the local enforcing agency, so the township office, not Burlington County, is where a Florence permit application is filed4.

Once a complete application is submitted, the local agency must release or deny it within 20 business days21. A swimming pool of 24 inches or more in depth needs both a building permit and a zoning permit in Florence Township22.

We could not confirm the township's permit fee schedule, so ask the Construction Office23.

How do septic permits work for a home in Florence Township?

A building that uses a septic system needs approval of the septic plan from the health department having jurisdiction before the construction permit is issued24. For Burlington County addresses, the county's Septic and Well Program takes the application for a permit to construct or alter an individual subsurface sewage disposal system2526.

The Burlington County Health Department is the authority the county lists for septic10. We could not confirm whether any part of Florence Township falls under a different health authority, so confirm with the Environmental Health Division before you sign a contract26.

The septic system must also be inspected and approved by the board of health before it is covered27. Soils matter: only about 0.2 percent of county soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field28, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system. That figure covers Burlington County as a whole, not Florence alone.

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

We could not confirm the township's rules on living in an RV, camping on private land or tiny homes. The township code has a chapter on trailers and trailer camps that we did not read, so call the Construction Office before parking or building anything to live in23. Manufactured HUD homes are limited statewide to use group R-5 single-family dwellings29.

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

  1. Confirm the zoning district and lot standards with the township, since Chapter 91 sets them1.
  2. If the home will use septic, get the septic plan approved by the Burlington County Health Department first2426.
  3. File the construction permit application with the Florence Township Construction Office423.
  4. Build with the required inspections, which for a one- or two-family home include footing, foundation, utility and final inspections30.
  5. Request a certificate of occupancy after the final inspection31. An owner who builds their own home must file an affidavit with the construction official before it can be issued11.

What stays with Burlington County, and what to check before you buy in Florence Township

Zoning and building permits belong to the township; septic and well permits stay with the county health program13. Subdivisions are reviewed by the Burlington County planning board where they affect county roads or drainage32. The Burlington County page covers land outside the township.

A private well needs a New Jersey DEP drilling permit plus a well construction permit from municipal or county health officials33. A driveway onto a state highway needs a state access permit34.

Burlington County's effective property tax rate is 2.4 percent35. We could not confirm floodplain, sewer-connection or driveway rules inside Florence Township, so ask the Construction Office about each23.

Watch-outs

  • Florence Township's agricultural district was not reviewed, so zoning for farm or larger-lot uses is unconfirmed; ask the township before buying12.
  • Dimensional rules differ by district and by whether the lot uses public sewer and water or on-site septic and a well7.
  • Statewide, minimum dwelling size is set by each municipality's zoning ordinance; we could not confirm Florence Township's figure36.
  • Septic fee amounts are published in a county PDF; we could not confirm them, so ask the Environmental Health Division37.

Sources

  1. Township of Florence Code, Chapter 91 Part 3 Zoning, Article XXVI R Low-Density Residential District (eCode360) (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Township of Florence, Construction Office (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Environmental Health, quoted and re-checked
  4. Uniform Construction Code General Information, quoted and re-checked
  5. P.L. 2013, c.106 — Municipal Land Use Law amendments (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. Township of Florence Code, Chapter 91 Part 3 Zoning, Article XXVI R Low-Density Residential District (eCode360) (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Township of Florence Code, Chapter 91 Part 3 Zoning, Article XXVI R Low-Density Residential District (eCode360) (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Township of Florence Code, Chapter 91 Part 3 Zoning, RA district (eCode360) (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  9. Township of Florence Code, Chapter 91 Part 3 Zoning, RA district (eCode360) (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Environmental Health (2026 county census)
  11. N.J.A.C. 5:23, Uniform Construction Code (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Township of Florence Code, Chapter 91 Part 3 Zoning, Article XXVI R Low-Density Residential District (eCode360) (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. Township of Florence Code, Chapter 91 Part 3 Zoning, Article XXVI R Low-Density Residential District (eCode360) (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. Township of Florence Code, Chapter 91 Part 3 Zoning, Article XXVI R Low-Density Residential District (eCode360) (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  15. Township of Florence Code, Chapter 91 Part 3 Zoning, RA district (eCode360) (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  16. Township of Florence Code, Chapter 91 Part 3 Zoning, RA district (eCode360) (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. Township of Florence Code, Chapter 91 Part 3 Zoning, Article XXVI R Low-Density Residential District (eCode360) (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  18. Township of Florence Code, Chapter 91 Part 3 Zoning, RA district (eCode360) (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  19. Township of Florence Code, Chapter 91 Part 3 Zoning, Article XXVI R Low-Density Residential District (eCode360) (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  20. Township of Florence Code, Chapter 91 Part 3 Zoning, RA district (eCode360) (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  21. Uniform Construction Code General Information, quoted and re-checked
  22. Township of Florence Code, Chapter 91 Part 3 Zoning, Article XXVI R Low-Density Residential District (eCode360) (Florence Township), quoted and re-checked
  23. Florence Township Construction Office (florence-nj.gov)
  24. Bulletin 79-7 Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  25. Environmental Health, quoted and re-checked
  26. Burlington County Health Department, Environmental Health Division (burlingtoncountynj.gov)
  27. New Jersey Statutes, R.S. 58:11-23 through 58:11-43 (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. 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
  29. Manufactured/Modular Buildings Program (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  30. New Jersey Department of Community Affairs consumer construction information, quoted and re-checked
  31. Uniform Construction Code General Information, quoted and re-checked
  32. New Jersey State Hazard Mitigation Plan Capability Assessment, quoted and re-checked
  33. Bulletin 88-10: Private On-Site Water Supply Systems (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  34. Major Access Permits (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  35. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  36. P.L. 2013, c.106 (Municipal Land Use Law amendments) (New Jersey statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  37. Environmental Health, quoted and re-checked

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 Florence Township

Florence Township’s own rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Temporary portable pools (including inflatable pools) on residential property in Florence township; this is the only general permit statement located, not a township-wide permit rule

    • No permit is required under the uniform construction code for a pool less than 24 inches in depth.
    • A homeowner must obtain an initial permit from the construction code office and zoning office; the annual certificate of compliance fee is $20.

    pool depth requiring permit: >= 24 inches (temporary portable pools; shallower pools need no UCC permit)

    “a building permit and zoning permit are required for any new pool that is 24 inches or more in depth. no permit shall be required under the uniform construction code for any pool that is less than 24 inches in depth.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction in Florence township, enforced by the township Construction Office under the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code

    • The code enforced is the state-set New Jersey Uniform Construction Code; the township code lists Chapter 64, Construction Codes, Uniform, in its table of contents (text of Chapter 64 not opened).
    “the florence township construction department is responsible for ensuring that all construction work in the township complies with the requirements of the new jersey uniform construction code.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Florence township's limits, under the township's own zoning ordinance in Chapter 91 (Land Development), Part 3 Zoning

    • Zoning districts, uses and dimensional rules are set by the township code, not the county.
    • Zoning-only topics are answered from the township's R and RA district articles where they apply.
    “the purpose of this district is to provide moderate growth area for single-family residential dwellings and accessory uses incidental thereto”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts of Florence township, Chapter 91 Part 3 (including the R Low-Density Residential and RA residential districts, and an AGR agricultural district)

    • Only the R and RA district articles were opened; other districts (including AGR) are not summarized here.
    “maximum gross density for the ra district is four dwelling units per acre.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family detached dwellings in the R Low-Density Residential district with public sewer and water, noncluster (§ 91-180.a)

    • Maximum density two units per acre; 25% of the tract set aside for open space under article XX.
    • Clustered developments approved before May 25, 1999 use separate bonus-density bulk rules (§ 91-180.c).

    lot size: >= 20000 square feet (public sewer and water, noncluster) · lot width: >= 125 feet (public sewer and water, noncluster) · lot depth: >= 160 feet (public sewer and water, noncluster)

    “(a) lot size: 20,000 square feet minimum. (b) lot width: 125 feet minimum. (c) lot depth: 160 feet minimum.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family detached dwellings in the R district with public sewer and water, noncluster (§ 91-180.a)

    • Accessory structures have separate setbacks under § 91-178 (e.g., garages 5 feet from rear or side lines; sheds 2 feet).

    front yard: >= 50 feet (public sewer and water) · rear yard: >= 50 feet (public sewer and water) · side yard: >= 20 feet each (public sewer and water)

    “(e) front yard: 50 feet minimum. (f) rear yard: 50 feet minimum. (g) side yard: 20 feet each minimum.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family detached dwellings in the R district, public sewer and water or on-site septic and well variants (§ 91-180.a(2)(d) and b(2)(d))

    • An additional 5% coverage is allowed only for decks, patios, sheds and/or swimming pools.
    • Principal building, driveway and any expansion must not exceed the maximum without a variance.

    lot coverage: <= 20 percent (both R variants)

    “(d) lot coverage: 20% maximum. the principal building, driveway and any expansion, enlargement or addition thereto shall not exceed the maximum without a variance. for residential lots, an additional lot coverage of 5% shall be allowed only for decks, patios, sheds and/or swimming pools.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — Residential dwellings in the RA district, public water and sewer or on-site septic variants (§ 91-189.a(4) and b(4))
      “(4) lot coverage: 20% maximum. the principal building, driveway and any expansion, enlargement or addition thereto shall not exceed the maximum without a variance. for residential lots, an additional lot coverage of 5% shall be allowed only for decks, patios, sheds and/or swimming pools.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Principal dwellings in the R district (§ 91-180.a and b)

    • Accessory buildings are limited to 20 feet in height under § 91-178.d; private garages and carports to 20 feet under § 91-178.b.

    building height: <= 35 feet (both R variants)

    “(e) front yard: 50 feet minimum. (f) rear yard: 50 feet minimum. (g) side yard: 20 feet each minimum. (h) height: 35 feet maximum.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permitting in Florence township
  • Inspections — Inspections for new dwellings in Florence township
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for new dwellings in Florence township
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum floor area of a dwelling in Florence township
  • Living in an RV — Occupancy of an RV on private land in Florence township
16 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees
  • 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 Florence Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Burlington County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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