Ridgewood, NJ Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

Article XXII of Chapter 223, added by Ordinance No. 3206 in 2009, targets dumpsters and other refuse containers that sit outside or are otherwise exposed to stormwater. Section 223-148A requires anyone who owns, leases, or operates a refuse container or dumpster, including at multifamily properties, to keep it covered at all times and to prevent refuse, garbage, debris or litter from spilling out or overflowing. Section 223-148B separately bars any leak or discharge of liquids, semiliquids, or solids from the container into the municipal separate storm sewer system, or MS4, that the Village of Ridgewood operates.

The article defines MS4 broadly to include roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels and storm drains owned or operated by the Village. Section 223-149 carves out five exceptions: permitted temporary demolition containers, litter receptacles other than dumpsters or bulk containers, single-family homeowner trash, recycling and yard-waste containers, containers at facilities already authorized to discharge stormwater under a valid NJPDES permit, and large bulky items such as furniture or bound carpeting set curbside for pickup. The Village of Ridgewood Police Department, the Health Department, and the Director of the Department of Public Works, or a designee of any of them, share enforcement authority under § 223-150.

This is separate from Chapter 133, Dumpsters, which the Code's general references note governs dumpster permitting, and from Chapter 165's refuse and recycling collection rules.