Perth Amboy, NJ Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Small-project threshold
- Impervious surface of 200 square feet or more gets engineer review
- Design standard
- Storage for the volume of a 3" rain event
- Application fee
- $100 nonrefundable
- Escrow
- $1,500 above 200 SF of new impervious coverage; $500 otherwise
- Maintenance notice
- 14 days to repair after written notice
- Reviewer
- City Engineer, with appeal to the Mayor and Council
Summary
In the City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Chapter 384 controls stormwater for major developments and, under § 384-11, for smaller projects too. New impervious surface of 200 square feet or more goes to the City Engineer for review, storage for a 3" rain event is the design standard, and the application fee is $100.
If the City Engineer determines that the non-major development involves the construction or installation of an impervious surface of less than 200 square feet, stormwater detention will not be required; however, grading shall be reviewed to ensure that stormwater is not directed towards neighboring properties as part of the existing or proposed conditions. ... If the City Engineer determines that the non-major development involves the construction or installation of an impervious surface of 200 square feet or more, the City Engineer shall review the application for stormwater management. ... The applicant shall provide stormwater calculations to show the volume of a 3" rain event and provide adequate stormwater storage to retain the calculated volume. ... At no point shall any storm runoff be directed towards neighboring properties. ... A nonrefundable application fee of $100. ... For any development that proposes new impervious coverage greater than 200 SF, escrow in the amount of $1,500 to cover the costs of engineering plan reviews and inspections for the proposed drainage improvements and grading at the site.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 384 of the Perth Amboy City Code was adopted by the City Council on 4-28-2021 as Ord. No. 1970-2021 and amended in its entirety on 9-9-2024 as Ord. No. 2188-2024. Its policy statement in § 384-1 calls for flood control, groundwater recharge and pollutant reduction through green infrastructure best management practices and nonstructural strategies. It applies to non-residential major developments and redevelopment projects, to the parts of residential major developments not preempted by the Residential Site Improvement Standards at N.J.A.C. 5:21, and to every major development undertaken by the City of Perth Amboy. Section 384-3 adopts the New Jersey design and performance standards at N.J.A.C. 7:8-5 by reference.
Drain hardware is regulated directly. Under § 384-4, a grate in pavement must be an NJDOT bicycle-safe grate or have clear spaces of no more than 7.0 square inches or no greater than 0.5 inch across the smallest dimension, and a curb opening is held to 7.0 square inches or 2.0 inches. A major development applicant submits a site development stormwater plan under § 384-6, with three copies of the checklist materials, and the review engineer confirms the checklist is met. Maintenance under § 384-7 carries a deadline: after written notice, the responsible person has 14 days to repair a facility that endangers public safety or health.
Section 384-11, added 8-13-2025 by Ord. No. 2251-2025, reaches smaller jobs. The City Engineer reviews non-major projects that come to the Planning Board, and where only a building or zoning permit is needed, the Construction Official or Zoning Officer forwards the application to the City Engineer. New impervious surface under 200 square feet needs no detention, but grading is reviewed so runoff is not directed at neighbors. At 200 square feet or more, the Engineer reviews the application and sets conditions on the building permit. The design standard is storage for the volume of a 3" rain event, with roof leaders or yard drains directed to the storage, a cleanout, and overflow discharged to downstream pervious areas as sheet flow. A party aggrieved by the Engineer's decision can petition the Mayor and Council, who can waive requirements for undue hardship.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 384 prints no dollar fine of its own. Sections 384-8 and 384-11E subject anyone who erects, constructs, alters, repairs, converts, maintains, or uses any building, structure or land in violation to penalties as permitted by the Code of the City of Perth Amboy. The maintenance clause carries a clock: 14 days after written notice, then the City or County repairs the facility and bills the responsible person, and nonpayment can result in a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do small projects in the City of Perth Amboy need stormwater review?
What fees and escrow apply to a non-major project?
What is the design standard for a small project?
Can I appeal the City Engineer's decision?
Who maintains a stormwater system after it is built?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Perth Amboy
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle stormwater management.