Jersey City permits residential rain barrels and small-scale rainwater harvesting for outdoor non-potable use. The City actively promotes green infrastructure to reduce combined sewer overflow.
Rainwater harvesting is permitted and encouraged in Jersey City as part of its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program and Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Long-Term Control Plan. Residential rain barrels up to approximately 55 gallons typically require no permit when used for outdoor irrigation and landscape purposes. Larger cistern installations, underground storage, or systems connected to indoor plumbing must comply with the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23) and the NJ Plumbing Subcode, and generally require plumbing permits through the Jersey City Division of Building Inspection. Potable reuse of harvested rainwater is not permitted without extensive treatment and Department of Environmental Protection oversight. The City's Office of Sustainability has historically partnered with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program to offer rain barrel workshops. Harvested water must be directed to landscape areas and not discharged to neighboring properties or onto sidewalks in a way that creates icing hazards in winter.
Improperly installed systems that cause runoff onto neighboring property or public sidewalks can be cited under property maintenance and stormwater rules. Unpermitted plumbing tie-ins violate the NJ UCC.
Jersey City, NJ
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