Jersey City, NJ Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Section 1 of § 131-2, "Requirement for Construction Permits" (added April 23, 2025 by Ordinance No. 25-026), tells the Construction Official not to issue any construction permit until the applicant proves that a list of prior approvals are already obtained and in good standing. That list splits into local approvals, Jersey City Zoning Office sign-off, Jersey City MUA water and sewer confirmation, a traffic safety plan from Traffic and Engineering, forestry permits, and payment of the plan-review fee, and state-mandated prior approvals. The state-mandated list is where grading and drainage work is captured directly: a Waterfront Development Permit for projects within 500 feet of the Hudson River, a DEP Flood Hazard Permit for sites in the Special Flood Hazard Zone, Passaic Valley Sewage approval for new construction, additions, or changes of use, and, the grading trigger, DEP Soil Erosion and Sediment Control approval for any land disturbance of 5,000 square feet or more.

A demolition permit must also already be on file before a construction permit for new work on a site with an existing structure, and lots must be legally subdivided or consolidated before a permit application will even be accepted. C. 6 to file under the prior subcode version after any subcode revision, provided the application, including all prior approvals, is complete. Because the ordinance folds a state DEP permit into the local construction-permit checklist rather than creating a separate city grading permit, any project disturbing 5,000 square feet or more of land in Jersey City effectively cannot start construction, locally or otherwise, without first securing the state Soil Erosion and Sediment Control sign-off, making this the operative local drainage/grading control point in the code.