Clifton, NJ Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Chapter 394, adopted July 2, 2024 by Ordinance No. 7921-24 to replace the City's 2021 version, sets minimum stormwater management requirements for major development in Clifton, meaning nonresidential major development and the aspects of residential major development not preempted by the state's Residential Site Improvement Standards. A. , and groundwater recharge, quality and quantity standards met by incorporating green infrastructure per the NJ Stormwater BMP Manual. Section 394-4 carves out limited exemptions, such as underground utility lines that are revegetated after construction and pedestrian sidewalks or trails no wider than 14 feet built of permeable material, and allows a waiver for enlarging an existing public roadway or pedestrian access if the applicant proves there is no other way to meet the standard.

Section 394-10 requires a design engineer's maintenance plan for every project's stormwater BMPs, naming who is responsible for upkeep and, where that party isn't a public agency, recording the plan on the property's deed of record. If a facility becomes a danger to public health or safety or needs repair, the City must give the responsible party written notice and 14 days to fix it before the municipality can step in, perform the work itself, and bill the cost, which can become a lien if unpaid.