Zoning & Property Maintenance Officer: Richard M. Wolff, rwolff@southplainfieldnj.com , 908-226-7630

Zoning/Planning Board Secretary: Stephanie Merola, smerola@southplainfieldnj.com , 732-215-6383

Borough of South Plainfield Zoning Ordinance

Borough Zoning Map

*Updated May 6, 2025*

The Zoning and Property Maintenance Department is responsible for enforcing Municipal Code regulations on private property throughout the Borough. The South Plainfield Municipal Code regulates zoning, property maintenance, and other substandard conditions on residential, commercial, and industrial properties. We also oversee Vacant and Abandoned Property maintenance.

Our objective is to help maintain and improve the quality of the community by administering an enforcement program to correct violations of municipal codes.

The Zoning Officer is charged with, but not limited to, overseeing community and neighborhood land use requirements, such as the use of the structure, location, configuration and size. Storing unregistered vehicles on your property is not permitted. Running a business out of your home is only permitted by the Zoning Official or the Zoning Board of Adjustment when a Use Variance is needed. Please call the Zoning Official if you have any questions before you engage in any commercial activities on a residential lot. If you are thinking about opening a business in South Plainfield, please do not sign into a lease agreement until you have applied for a Zoning Permit. 

Code Enforcement oversees exterior maintenance, such as, garbage and debris, vegetative overgrowth, abandoned or inoperable vehicles, parking vehicles on unimproved surfaces, trash, car parts, or other visual and hazardous nuisances on commercial, industrial, and residential property.

The enforcement of property maintenance and nuisance codes helps to ensure that there is a minimum standard  for maintaining all properties in South Plainfield. We strive to keep the Borough a safe and healthy community where all those who live, work or visit can experience a sense of pride and well-being. 

Business Information

First, Thank You for selecting South Plainfield as your choice to operate your business! We are a business-friendly town and will assist you in making your application process as seemless as possible. A couple of things to consider: You will need a Commercial Zoning Permit before applying for your Certificate of Continued Occupancy (CCO) with the Building Department. If you do not have a State registered business, you can't receive a Zoning Permit. If you need to get your business registered, go here https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/revenue/gettingregistered.shtml . You will also need an EIN or Employee Identification Number from the IRS. There are links on the State website that can guide you in the right direction. 

Business Signage

Residential Information

Residents of South Plainfield must complete a Residential Zoning Application for many improvements on their property. Some of the kind of improvements that require a Zoning Permit are for sheds, retaining walls, driveways, gazebos, pools, jacuzzis, decks, additions, changes in the use of the property, and garages. Please consult the Borough's " Schedule of Bulk Requirements " to understand how far improvements must be from your lot lines. Driveways (unless otherwise built closer when the property was developed) may not be closer than (5) five feet to a property line. Wooden or Plastic Sheds may not be any closer than (3) three feet from a rear or side property line. Keep in mind that you can always E-mail the Zoning Official, Richard Wolff , to ask a question if necessary. Any improvements attached to the home become part of the Principal Structure, everything else is accessory to the use of the property. An easy way to locate what Zone your property is in, is to find it's location on the Zoning Map and see the Zone labeled for that area of the Borough. Fences do require a Zoning Permit, so please complete an application prior to replacing or placing a new fence. Corner lots must adhere to more stringent Zoning rules as they are considered to have Front Yard Setbacks on two sides of the property. The rear yard of corner lots is considered the yard opposite of the street address of the property. You can be cited for placing fencing that is not permitted. You can view the Borough Code that addresses Fencing and Additions here, General Regulations . A Property Survey is required for any external property changes to ensure improvements meet setback and property line standards.

Residential Signage

Solar Panels

All Solar projects require a Zoning Permit as a prior approval before Construction Permits can be obtained. Please submit the Residential Zoning Application ($75 fee) for all residential homes. Property of a Commercial or Industrial nature must submit the Commercial Zoning Application ($125). Solar installers can submit both Zoning and Building Permit forms at the same time. A survey is not required for residential rooftop Solar projects if plans are submitted. 

Violations

If you receive a Violation Notice from either Code Enforcement or Zoning, please note the timeframe in which to comply. If the violation is not abated (removed/gone) from the property within the timeframe, you may recieve a summons to appear in Municipal court, and may receive a fine from the court. If you are unable to abate the violation by the due date, please email or call us so we can understand your situation. We may grant extensions based upon our discussion. We are in the business of enforcement of the Borough Code, and we only seek compliance with the Code. Our department will work with you to alleviate any violation that may be present, within reason.  

Complaints

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns you would like to be addressed. A Complaint Form is linked above on this page. You can drop it off at Borough Hall, E-mail it to us, or mail it in. Please provide as much information as possible such as the address of the violation, the specific location of the suspected violation, and your contact information so we can reach out if we need further information.