Wayne, NJ Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Chapter 177 of the Wayne Township Code is split into articles. Article I, Improper Disposal of Waste, prohibits spilling, dumping or disposing of materials other than stormwater into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) the Township operates, and § 177-5 gives enforcement to the Police Department, the Director of Public Works, the Township Engineer and the Superintendent of Roads. Article III, Stormwater Controls for Developments, was amended 12-2-2020 by Ord. No. 50-2020. It applies to non-residential major developments, to the aspects of residential major developments not pre-empted by the Residential Site Improvement Standards at N.J.A.C. 5:21, and to every major development undertaken by the Township of Wayne itself (§ 177-14C).

Section 177-15 defines a major development as one that disturbs one or more acres of land since February 2, 2004, creates 1/4 acre or more of regulated impervious surface since February 2, 2004, creates 1/4 acre or more of regulated motor vehicle surface since December 23, 2020, or combines the last two for 1/4 acre or more. Projects in a common plan of development or sale, such as a phased residential project, are counted together. Section 177-16 requires green infrastructure to meet the groundwater recharge, stormwater quality and stormwater quantity standards, and § 177-17A requires a maintenance plan for every major development.

The applicant files a site development stormwater plan with the application. Section 177-22A(3) calls for 19 copies of the checklist materials, and the reviewing board consults the municipality's review engineer on whether the standards are met. Design details are printed too: grate openings in new inlets are limited to seven square inches per clear space (§ 177-20), trash racks on basin outlets need bars with no greater than six-inch spacing, and safety ledges are required where a permanent pool is deeper than 2 1/2 feet (§ 177-21).

The maintenance section is where owners and associations feel the rule. The plan must list preventative maintenance tasks and schedules, cost estimates, and the name, address and telephone number of the responsible person (§ 177-23B(2)). Under § 177-23B(4), responsibility cannot be assigned to an individual owner or tenant in a residential development unless that person owns or leases the entire development. The responsible party keeps a detailed log and evaluates the plan at least once per year (§ 177-23B(7)). After written notice from the municipality, the 14-day clock in § 177-23B(9) starts, and the Township or county can do the work and bill the cost.