Bloomfield, NJ Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Bloomfield Township addresses erosion most directly in the steep slope subsection of its design standards, § 315-30(Q), added 3-19-2012 by Ord. No. 12-15. It applies to the disturbance of soil and the construction of structures, roads, retaining walls and parking lots in areas of steep slopes, and municipally owned properties are exempt. The stated objective is to minimize cutting and grading of steep slope areas and the disturbance of soil and removal of vegetative cover, which the code says assists in preventing erosion and siltation of streams.

The grading limitations chart sets the allowed disturbance by slope: 35% or greater, no disturbance allowed; 25.0% to 34.9%, only transitional grading; 15.0% to 24.9%, only transitional grading or road construction; 0.0% to 14.9%, all construction allowed. Steep slope includes slopes in excess of 15% in gradient, measured by two-foot contours in a thirty-foot horizontal length.

An applicant must submit a steep slope analysis on a plot plan showing the slope classes with square footage in each, a lot grading plan, retaining wall details, and the limits of clearing and disturbance, which are held to be the maximum permitted on the site. A landscaping plan must identify trees with a caliper of eight inches or more measured three inches above ground level and show which are to be removed. If any disturbance is planned to a steep slope, or a steep slope was disturbed by prior land use such as agriculture, a revegetation plan must be provided. Relief goes to the Zoning Board of Adjustments, and existing structures are exempt while maintained in good order.

Two other chapters add erosion standards. Section 494-3(A)(1) sets the minimum standards for erosion control for major development stormwater measures by the Soil and Sediment Control Act, N.J.S.A. 4:24-39 et seq., and N.J.A.C. 2:90. Section 484-13(B) bars soil moving that increases the velocity or changes the direction of surface water runoff without on-site management.