Showing ordinances that apply to Ramapo College of New Jersey, NJ
Ramapo College of New Jersey is an unincorporated community (population 2,200) in Bergen County, New Jersey. Because Ramapo College of New Jersey is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal code. Instead, Bergen County ordinances apply directly to properties here. The grading & drainage rules below are the ones that govern your area.
Bergen County grading and drainage is regulated by individual municipalities under the NJ Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23) and NJDEP Stormwater Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:8). Most Bergen towns require grading permits for excavation or fill over 50 cubic yards. Drainage cannot be redirected onto neighboring properties per common-law reasonable use doctrine.
Bergen County grading and drainage regulation combines the NJ Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23) administered by each municipality's Construction Code Official with NJDEP Stormwater Management Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:8) administered through Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits. Typical grading permit thresholds: Hackensack Code §119 requires permits for excavation/fill over 50 cubic yards; Paramus Code §204 uses a 100-cubic-yard threshold; Fort Lee Code §186 requires review for any grade change near property lines; Teaneck Code §33-40 permits at 50 cubic yards. Site grading must direct drainage away from structures and not adversely affect neighboring properties under New Jersey's reasonable use doctrine (Armstrong v. Francis Corp., NJ Supreme Court 1956) which replaced the common enemy rule. Retaining walls over 4 feet require a building permit and engineered plans stamped by a NJ licensed professional engineer per N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14. Walls over 6 feet or supporting surcharge (driveways, structures, pools) face additional review. NJ Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act (N.J.S.A. 4:24-39) requires Bergen County Soil Conservation District certification for disturbances over 5,000 sq ft. Stormwater detention or infiltration required for major developments under N.J.A.C. 7:8-5 (major development: 1+ acre disturbance or 0.25+ acre impervious increase). Bergen's clay soils in many areas complicate drainage; percolation testing required for infiltration BMPs.
Unpermitted grading over threshold: stop-work order and fines $500 to $2,500 per N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.23. Redirecting drainage to neighbors: civil liability under Armstrong v. Francis Corp., corrective action required. SESC violations: up to $3,000 per day per N.J.S.A. 4:24-53. Slope failure from improper grading: liability for remediation costs plus damages to adjacent properties.
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