Piscataway, NJ Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Section 26-27.1 bars any person, partnership, corporation, or public agency from disturbing land within Piscataway unless the applicant has submitted a soil erosion and sediment control plan to the Township Engineer meeting the state Standards for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control, and the Engineer has issued a valid land disturbance permit, except for activities exempted under Section 26-29. Section 26-27.3 requires the Engineer to review and approve or deny a complete application within 30 days, extendable another 30 days by written agreement; a missed deadline is deemed certification, and an approval expires three years after certification.

Section 26-28.1 sets design principles: stripping and grading must minimize erosion, natural vegetation should be retained where feasible, exposed critical areas need temporary seeding or mulching, and sediment basins and diversions must be installed before any grading begins. Section 26-28.3 ties permit fees to the Freehold Soil Conservation District's current fee schedule, on file at the Township Clerk's office. Section 26-29 exempts land disturbance of 5,000 square feet or less tied to existing one- and two-family homes, home gardening, agricultural use, and emergency excavations. Section 26-30 assigns enforcement to the Township Engineer, who may halt further work and require immediate corrective measures if site conditions depart from the approved plan; appeals under Section 26-31 go to the Township Council in writing within 10 days, with a hearing guaranteed within 30 days of the appeal.