New Brunswick, NJ Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Chapter 13.12 of the New Brunswick Municipal Code creates a stormwater utility under the Federal Clean Water Act and the New Jersey Clean Stormwater and Flood Reduction Act (P.L.2019, c.42). Section 13.12.090 imposes an annual fee of $77.00 per equivalent residential unit on each developed property. Section 13.12.030 defines a developed property as a parcel altered from a natural state with impervious surface area of three hundred (300) square feet or more, and defines one ERU as two thousand one hundred two (2,102) square feet. Impervious surfaces include sidewalks, packed dirt or stone paths, parking areas, driveways, private roads, pavements and roofs, and gravel or crushed stone counts as impervious. The water surface of a swimming pool is included, and railroad track ballast is not.

Section 13.12.100 sets the math: impervious area is divided by the ERU, the result is rounded to the nearest 0.5 ERU, and no developed property is billed less than 1.0 ERU. Undeveloped property and exempt property, meaning farmland-assessed agricultural land, are not charged. An apartment-style condominium building is billed like an apartment building, with the bill addressed to the homeowners' association. If the association is dissolved, insolvent or over ninety (90) days delinquent, unit owners are billed a prorated share.

Credits are handled under § 13.12.110 for properties that operate compliant onsite stormwater systems, approved best management practices or green infrastructure. The credit application fee is $25.00 for properties billed up to 2 ERUs, $50.00 for 2.5 to 10 ERUs, $75.00 for 10.5 to 50 ERUs and $100.00 above 50 ERUs. Section 13.12.150 allows a written appeal to the stormwater utility within thirty (30) days from the date of the last bill.

For new construction, § 16.24.270A, the stormwater control ordinance, applies to all major and minor developments undertaken within the City of New Brunswick and requires green infrastructure and low impact development practices where they can meet the performance standards. Under § 13.12.070, maintenance of systems on private property not covered by a written easement or agreement remains the legal responsibility of the property owner.