Paterson, NJ Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Disturbance over 5,000 square feet
- Standard used
- NJ Soil Conservation Committee guidelines
- Reviewed by
- City Planning Board, preliminary plat stage
- Governing section
- § 297-17.B(7), Land Subdivision chapter
Summary
Paterson's land subdivision ordinance requires soil erosion and sediment control review whenever a proposed subdivision disturbs more than 5,000 square feet, following state Soil Conservation Committee standards.
Soil erosion and sediment control if any part of the proposed subdivision involves land disturbances in excess of five thousand (5,000) square feet (according to Standards for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control in New Jersey, New Jersey Soil Conservation Committee 1976, or any amendments thereto).
(8) Stormwater easements or drainage and utility rights-of-way.
(9) The overall effect of the subdivision on the community, the city and the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the city.
(10) Adequate water supply, shade trees, sewerage and other utilities.
(11) Reserved open space, if needed.
(12) Regulations of land subject to flooding.
(13) Buffer strips, culs-de-sac and street turnarounds to be indicated, if applicable.
(14) Consistency of the layout with the Zoning Ordinance.[1] [1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 483, Zoning and Land Development.
(15) Conformity with standards promulgated by the Commissioner of Transportation pursuant to the Air Safety and Hazardous Zoning Act of 1983 (N.J.S.A. 6:1-80 et seq.) for any airport safety zones delineated under that Act.
(16) Conformity with Article IV, Recycling, of Chapter 427, Solid Waste.
(17) Conformity with any access management code adopted by the county with respect to any county roads within the city or adopted by the city with respect to municipal streets.
(18)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4713536; v19 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Under § 297-17 of the Land Subdivision chapter, the Planning Board must weigh 'soil erosion and sediment control if any part of the proposed subdivision involves land disturbances in excess of five thousand (5,000) square feet,' judged against the Standards for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control in New Jersey issued by the New Jersey Soil Conservation Committee. The requirement attaches to subdivision applications reviewed by the Planning Board rather than to every construction site citywide: a builder splitting or creating a lot that disturbs more than 5,000 square feet must address erosion and sediment control as part of preliminary plat approval.
Violations & Fines
A subdivision plat that ignores required erosion and sediment control can be denied preliminary approval by the Planning Board, and construction without approved plans is enforceable as a violation of the Land Subdivision chapter's design standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Paterson require erosion control for all construction sites?
What standard governs Paterson's erosion control review?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paterson
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