Bergenfield, NJ Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Adopted by the Mayor and Council on December 3, 2024 by Ordinance No. 24-2634, Chapter 268 opens in Section 268-1 with a policy statement declaring that flood control, groundwater recharge and pollutant reduction shall be achieved through stormwater management measures, including green infrastructure best management practices and nonstructural strategies, with green infrastructure and low-impact development used to maintain natural hydrology, reduce runoff volume, reduce erosion, encourage infiltration and recharge, and cut pollution. Section 268-1B states the chapter's purpose is to set minimum stormwater requirements and controls for 'major development' as defined in Section 268-2.

The chapter reaches nonresidential major development everywhere in the Borough and the non-preempted portions of residential major development under Section 268-1C, plus any major development undertaken by the Borough itself. Section 268-4 lays out the substantive requirements: every qualifying project must incorporate a maintenance plan for its stormwater measures under Section 268-10, avoid adverse impacts on threatened and endangered species habitat such as the swamp pink or bog turtle, and meet groundwater recharge, runoff quality and runoff quantity thresholds unless a narrow linear-development exemption or hardship waiver applies.

Section 268-5 sets out the calculation methods for runoff and recharge, Section 268-7 addresses solids and floatable materials control, and Section 268-8 sets safety standards for detention and retention basins, while Section 268-9 requires a site development stormwater plan for review.