How Cherry Hill Handles Environmental Rules: A Practical Guide
Cherry Hill maintains 93 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with environmental rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Cherry Hill falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Flood Elevation Requirements
Cherry Hill Township sets a Local Design Flood Elevation (LDFE) above the mapped or state flood elevation for new construction and substantial improvements, adding at least one foot of freeboard, with two feet required for Class IV critical facilities under § 12-102.3.
Key details: Minimum freeboard: 1 foot above base flood data. Critical facility (Class IV) freeboard: 2 feet above 500-year/FHACA elevation. Critical facility (Class III) freeboard: 1 foot in coastal high-hazard areas. Zone AO default: 3 feet above highest adjacent grade. Adopted by: Ordinance No. 2023-6, July 10, 2023.
Constructing below the required Local Design Flood Elevation violates Chapter 12 and N.J.S.A. 40:49-5, exposing the property owner to a fine of not more than $1,250, imprisonment up to 90 days, or up to 90 days of community service, with each day of the deficiency treated as a separate violation. A repeat offense within one year adds a further court-set fine on top of the base penalty.
Flood Zones
Cherry Hill Township requires a floodplain development permit for any construction, grading, filling or land disturbance in a mapped flood hazard area under Chapter 12 of the Township Code. The Floodplain Administrator in the Department of Community Development reviews and issues these permits.
Key details: Governing chapter: Township Code Ch. 12, adopted 2023. NFIP entry date: August 15, 1978. Permit issuer: Floodplain Administrator, Dept. of Community Development. Permit expiration: 180 days if work not started. Base penalty: Up to $1,250 fine, 90 days.
Building or developing in a flood hazard area without complying with Chapter 12 violates N.J.S.A. 40:49-5 and carries a fine of not more than $1,250, imprisonment up to 90 days, or up to 90 days of community service, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense. A repeat violation within one year draws an added fine set by the court. Unlawfully disposing of solid waste in a floodway or floodplain carries a separate fine of at least $2,500 up to $10,000 under § 12-101.8.1.
Stormwater Management
Cherry Hill Township prohibits any illicit connection that discharges domestic sewage, industrial waste or process wastewater into its municipal storm sewer system, and separately bans dumping any non-stormwater material into a storm drain. The Police Department enforces both rules, with fines of up to $500 per violation.
Key details: Bans: illicit connections and dumping into storm drains. Permit reference: NJPDES Tier A, Permit NJ0141852. Penalty: up to $500 per violation. Enforced by: Cherry Hill Township Police Department. Exempt: residential car-washing water, pool discharge, irrigation runoff.
A conviction under § 17-6.1 or § 17-6.2 exposes a property owner or business to a fine of up to $500.00 per violation. The Cherry Hill Police Department enforces the illicit-connection ban, and the Property Maintenance Division of the Community Development Department shares enforcement of the improper-disposal ban.
Erosion Control
Cherry Hill Township ties erosion control to its residential grading-plan review: every single-family building permit application must include a sealed grading plan showing, under § 13-3.1a6, adequate provisions to minimize erosion during construction, reviewed by the Township Engineer before the permit issues.
Key details: Triggers grading plan: single-family permit or 500+ sq ft earthwork. Plan must show: erosion-control provisions during construction. Plan preparer: licensed engineer or land surveyor. Reviewing official: Township Engineer. Grading review fee: $50 per lot.
Failing to control erosion consistent with an approved grading plan holds up the Certificate of Occupancy under § 13-3.1g until the discrepancy is corrected. Beyond that administrative hold, § 13-3.3 makes any violation of the grading-plan requirements punishable under Chapter 1, § 1-5, with each day of a continuing violation treated as a separate offense, exposing a builder to repeated fines rather than a single flat penalty.
The Bottom Line
Cherry Hill's environmental rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Cherry Hill is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Cherry Hill can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.