Jurisdiction and research scope
Bernards Township, Somerset County, New Jersey only. Reviewed November 6, 2026. §21-19.2 cites Ord.585 §507B; §21-19.3 also cites Ord.868. Publisher edition through July 29, 2025 lists newer land-development ordinances 2593 (March 10, 2026) and 2599 (June 23, 2026). Later rules and parcel approvals need confirmation.
Research by Can I Park My RV?Official municipal sources; access limits shown belowEditorial standard
Bernards Township RV parking at a glance
| Location or use | What to check |
|---|---|
| Private property | Garaged or side/rear yard; outdoors at least 15 feet from every property line and screened. |
| Street / loading | Street permission is not established by the private-storage section. No separate loading grace period established. |
| Occupancy / utilities | RVs and travel trailers may not be occupied under the ordinary route. Parking permission does not authorize utility hookups. |
Where may I store the RV?
Section 21-19.2 permits one unoccupied travel trailer or recreational vehicle or one horse trailer on a residential-zoned lot. The unit must either be garaged or stored in a side or rear yard at least 15 feet from any property line and screened from all adjacent properties. Outdoor front-yard storage is not the stated route.
Can someone stay in it?
Recreational vehicles and travel trailers may not be occupied in any zone under §21-19.2. The storage permission is not authorization for sleeping guests, a temporary rental or a second dwelling.
Can I leave an unregistered or disabled RV outdoors?
Section 21-19.3 restricts disabled, nonregistered and/or uninspected vehicles to an enclosed garage, with separate exceptions for vehicles awaiting repair at a licensed public garage and new vehicles stored or displayed at an auto showroom. It defines disabled as disrepair that prevents ready operation in conformity with motor-vehicle requirements.
What about a construction trailer?
Section 21-19.4 is a separate permitted construction-site route for temporary sales/field offices, allowing no more than one night watchman or similar person to live temporarily. It requires a Zoning Officer permit, renewal every 12 months, time limits tied to construction and removal by final occupancy unless the Board authorizes later removal. It does not create an ordinary home-guest exception.
Does this allow curbside loading or hookups?
No street/loading or utility permission is established by these storage provisions. Ask the relevant officials separately. Bernards Township, including Basking Ridge addresses within its limits, is not Bernardsville Borough.
What needs separate confirmation?
Confirm the municipal boundary, later ordinances, your exact zoning district and approved parking area. Easements, private covenants, leases, flood restrictions and construction/utility approvals may impose additional limits. An unresolved question is not permission to park or occupy a vehicle.
Who to contact for your setup
Ask Bernards Township zoning staff about the parcel, legal yard boundaries, vehicle classification, storage and proposed occupancy. Ask municipal Police about street restrictions. Confirm current ordinances and approvals before relying on a parking arrangement.
Use the Bernards Township parking checker to organize the starting conditions. The checker cannot approve a parcel, a variance or an unverified exception.
Official sources reviewed November 6, 2026
- Bernards Township §§21-19.2–21-19.4
§21-19.2 cites Ord.585 §507B; §21-19.3 also cites Ord.868. Publisher edition through July 29, 2025 lists newer land-development ordinances 2593 (March 10, 2026) and 2599 (June 23, 2026). Later rules and parcel approvals need confirmation.
A review date records when we checked these sources. The notes above explain any use of older code editions or limits on access to the full source; an address-specific township determination may still be required. Read our research method.
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