Union County, NJ Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Ch. 131, Art. III & IV (Ord. 613-2005, 612-2005)
- Fine range
- $250 to $500 per violation
- Enforcement agencies
- Police, Inspections, Environmental Enforcement
- Scope
- County MS4, highways and county property
- Max added penalty
- 90 days jail or community service
Summary
Union County bans illicit connections and improper discharges to the county's municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) under Laws of Union County Ch. 131, Art. III and IV. Violators face fines of $250 to $500 per offense, with each day a separate violation.
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged, through and illicit connection to the municipal separate storm sewer system operated by the COUNTY OF UNION, any domestic sewage, non-contact cooling water, process wastewater, or other industrial waste (other than stormwater). ... Any other person or entity that violates this ordinance shall upon conviction thereof, be liable to a fine of not less than $250.00, nor more than $500.00 for each violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 131, Article III (Ord. No. 613-2005) makes it unlawful to discharge domestic sewage, non-contact cooling water, process wastewater, or other industrial waste, other than stormwater, through an illicit connection to the MS4 operated by the County of Union, § 131-7. A companion Article IV ordinance (Ord. No. 612-2005) separately bars spilling, dumping, or disposing of any material other than stormwater to the MS4 at county highways and property, or in a manner that causes pollutants to reach it, § 131-12. Article IV lists specific exceptions that are not violations: water line flushing, uncontaminated groundwater from sump or footing drains, air conditioning condensate, irrigation runoff, spring and wetland flows, residential car washing and pool discharges, sidewalk and driveway wash water, firefighting flows, and clean-water rinsing of de-icing equipment after dry removal of residual salt, § 131-13.
Enforcement officers under both ordinances are employees of the County's Division of Police, Bureau of Inspections, and Bureau of Environmental Enforcement, §§ 131-8, and the Article IV equivalent. County officers or contractors found in violation face disciplinary action or contract sanctions in addition to the fines below.
Violations & Fines
Any person or entity violating either ordinance is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $500 per violation, with each day a violation continues past a compliance deadline a separate offense; a judge may add up to 90 days imprisonment or 90 days community service, §§ 131-9(C), 131-14(C). Continued violators after notice may be ejected from county property and prosecuted for criminal trespass under N.J.S.A. 2C:18-3, § 131-14(D).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Union County's stormwater ordinance cover private storm drains?
What counts as an illicit connection under county law?
Is washing a car in my driveway a violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union County
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