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

Borough of Riverdale’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Riverdale borough; Riverdale adopts and administers a municipal zoning chapter.

  • The code states that Chapter 168 was adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Riverdale and amended in its entirety in 2014.

  “The Zoning Board reviews applications that propose to utilize property in a manner not consistent with municipal zoning laws.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts and dimensional schedules inside Riverdale borough.

  • The zoning chapter publishes permitted uses, accessory or conditional uses, prohibited uses, and bulk requirements.
  • Schedule D was amended on May 11, 2016 and November 25, 2024.

  “Attachment 1 - Schedule A: Permitted Uses Attachment 2 - Schedule B: Accessory, Conditional Uses (Section 168-9) Attachment 3 - Schedule C: Probihited Uses (Section 168-10) Attachment 4 - Schedule D: Bulk Requirements (Section 168-11)”

• Who permits septicLocal

  Individual sewage disposal systems inside Riverdale borough; the Borough Health Department administers approval.

  • Chapter 177 is identified as adopted by the Borough Board of Health.
  • The chapter adopts New Jersey Administrative Code standards in addition to local administration.

  “No person shall locate, construct, or alter any individual sewage disposal system, nor shall a completed or altered system be backfilled without the approval of the Health Department.”

• Septic permitRequired

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

  • Health Department approval is required.
  • Applications are examined and approved or denied within 20 business days, subject to the stated extension rule.
  • At least 24 hours' notice of start of work is required.
  • Permit conditions include payment of fees, conformity with approved plans, compliance with regulations, and assistance with inspections.

  application review period: 20 business days (The period may be extended with the applicant's consent.) · notice of start: >= 24 hours · permit fee for filing application and plans: 150 USD (Individual sewage disposal system locate, construct, alter, or repair application.) · permit fee for baffle, connecting pipe, or distribution box repair: 25 USD

  “The Health Department shall examine all applications for permits, and approve or deny in whole or in part the application, within 20 business days.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Sanitation and sewage disposal inside Riverdale borough.

  • Discharge to a natural outlet is unlawful except where suitable treatment has been provided under the article or the Riverdale Board of Health Sanitary Code.
  • Individual sewage systems require Health Department approval, permits, and a certificate before operation or occupancy.

  “It shall be unlawful to discharge to any natural outlet within the Borough of Riverdale or in any area under the jurisdiction of said Borough any sanitary sewage, industrial wastes or other polluted waters, except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with subsequent provisions of this article or in accordance with the Sanitary Code of the Riverdale Board of Health.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Residential properties inside Riverdale borough where a public sewer is available within 100 feet of the property line.

  • Commercial, industrial, and residential properties with three or more dwelling units must connect within two years after notice of availability.
  • Single- and two-family properties must connect after notice if the individual system fails.
  • Single- and two-family properties with public sewer availability within 100 feet must submit a connection application and pay the applicable connection fee in full before transfer of ownership.
  • Connection permits require written Borough approval and, where applicable, approval from PRBRSA and TBA.

  public sewer availability threshold: <= 100 feet from property line · connection deadline for commercial, industrial, or 3+ dwelling-unit properties: 2 years after notice

  “All single or two family residential properties shall be required to connect to the sanitary sewer system, after being notified by the Health Officer of the availability of a public sewer within 100 feet of the property line, upon transfer of ownership of the property or upon failure of an individual sanitary sewerage system serving the property.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land and site-plan review inside Riverdale borough.

  • The chapter was adopted December 15, 1986; the source states that amendments are noted where applicable.

  “Chapter 149 Subdivision of Land and Site Plan Review [HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Riverdale 12-15-1986 by Ord. No. 14-86. Amendments noted where applicable.]”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Building permits for construction inside Riverdale borough.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions inside Riverdale borough.
• Building code adopted — Building-code adoption applicable inside Riverdale borough.
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Riverdale borough.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings inside Riverdale borough.

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 Riverdale 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.

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