Babylon, NY Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Core standard
- no turbidity increase (§189-7B)
- Design guides
- NYS Stormwater Design + Erosion Manuals
- Applies to
- all land development activity
- Enforced by
- Town Engineering Division
- Penalty range
- $500-$5,000 (§189-9)
Summary
The Town of Babylon requires land development to meet state stormwater design manuals and bars any increase in turbidity or visible contrast to natural water conditions.
All land development activities shall be subject to the following performance and design criteria:
A. Technical standards. For the purpose of this chapter, the following documents shall serve as official guides and specifications for stormwater management. Stormwater management practices that are designed and constructed in accordance with these technical documents shall be presumed to meet the standards imposed by this chapter.
(1) The New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the most current version or its successor, hereafter referred to as the "Design Manual").
(2) New York Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control (Empire State Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, 2004, most current version or its successor, hereafter referred to as the "Erosion Control Manual").
(3) The most current version of the Village of Babylon Planning Board site improvement and subdivision specifications.
(4) United States Environmental Protection Agency's best management practices (BMPs).
B. Water quality standards. Any land development activity shall not cause an increase in turbidity or in a substantial visible contrast to natural conditions in surface waters of the State of New York.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941158; v66 updated 2026-05-13; through 05-13-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 189-7 of the Town of Babylon Code sets the performance and design criteria every land development activity must meet, covering hamlets across Suffolk County from Copiague to Deer Park. Stormwater management practices built to the New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual, the state's Erosion Control Manual, the Town's own site improvement and subdivision specifications, or EPA best management practices are presumed compliant. Beyond design, § 189-7B sets a flat water-quality floor: no land development activity may cause an increase in turbidity or a substantial visible contrast to natural conditions in the state's surface waters.
Violations & Fines
Violations fall under Chapter 189's enforcement scheme (§ 189-9): fines from $500 to $1,500 for a first offense up to $5,000 for repeat offenses, plus possible stop-work orders and withheld certificates of occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What stormwater standard applies to a construction site in Babylon?
Who reviews stormwater plans in the Town of Babylon?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Babylon
New York rules heatmap·Compare Babylon to another location·View the New York environmental rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Suffolk County handle stormwater management.