Bolthole Index

Ocean County, New Jersey

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Borough of South Toms River, New Jersey

Borough of South Toms River is a borough in Ocean County, New Jersey. Borough of South Toms River adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Borough of South Toms River’s rules apply, not the county’s. 3 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 23, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Ocean County page.

Answers from the rulebook for Borough of South Toms River

Borough of South Toms River’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside South Toms River borough limits: the borough's own zoning ordinance, Chapter 26 Land Development Regulations, Article VI Zoning

    • Chapter 26 is the borough's adopted code; the eCode360 index says it includes legislation through 03-09-2026.
    • Zoning districts and dimensional limits are set by the borough, not the county.
    “§ 26-19 establishment of zones or districts. § 26-19.1 list of zones. § 26-19.2 zoning map.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and zoning map for land inside South Toms River borough

    • The zoning map is a separate attachment (Attachment 1 - Zoning Map) of Chapter 26 on eCode360; the map itself was not opened.
    • District dimensional sections were not opened.
    “§ 26-19 establishment of zones or districts. § 26-19.1 list of zones. § 26-19.2 zoning map.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Land subdivision inside South Toms River borough

    • Subdivision approval runs through the Land Use Board; county planning board approval is referenced in § 26-3.1.
    • Procedure, time limits and standards are in § 26-3 through § 26-3.17; their text was not opened.
    “§ 26-3 subdivision and site plan review and approval. § 26-3.1 grant of power; county planning board approval. § 26-3.2 submittal procedure.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Borough of South Toms River or Ocean County directly.

  • Building permit — Building permits for new construction inside South Toms River borough
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from licensed contractor requirements inside South Toms River borough
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside South Toms River borough
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings inside South Toms River borough
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside South Toms River borough
18 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Living in an RV
  • 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 Borough of South Toms River publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Ocean County’s page lists the county offices to call.

Off-grid gear

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

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