Bergen County does not operate a county water utility, so outdoor watering rules come from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection drought declarations and from local water purveyors such as Suez/Veolia, United Water, and municipal systems serving Bergen residents.
Bergen County residents are served primarily by Veolia Water New Jersey (formerly Suez) and a mix of municipal water systems. Outdoor irrigation restrictions are set by NJDEP drought watch, warning, and emergency declarations under the Water Supply Management Act, NJSA 58:1A-1, and by each utility's tariff. During NJDEP drought warnings, lawn irrigation typically becomes restricted to two days per week between specific hours. The county itself does not adopt watering schedules but coordinates emergency response. Wells in Bergen County are regulated under NJDEP's Water Allocation rules; private well owners must still comply with statewide drought orders.
Violating a drought emergency order can result in NJDEP penalties up to $50,000 per day under NJSA 58:1A-16, and water purveyors may cite or fine customers under their tariffs.
Garfield, NJ
Garfield's Property Maintenance Code requires that all premises and exterior property be kept free of grass or plant growth exceeding eight inches in height.
Garfield, NJ
Garfield prohibits noxious weeds and requires premises to remain free of weed growth taller than eight inches under its Property Maintenance Code.
See how other cities in Bergen County handle water restrictions.
See how Garfield's water restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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