Last Updated 08/25/2026
Excerpts from Paterson, New Jersey, Code of Ordinance
Chapter 433 Stormwater Control
Standards for Structural Stormwater Management Measures
A. Standards for structural stormwater management measures are as follows:
1. Structural stormwater management measures shall be designed to take into account the existing site conditions, including, for example, environmentally critical areas, wetlands; flood-prone areas; slopes; depth to seasonal high water table; soil type, permeability and texture; drainage area and drainage patterns; and the presence of solution-prone carbonate rocks (limestone).
2. Structural stormwater management measures shall be designed to minimize maintenance, facilitate maintenance and repairs, and ensure proper functioning. Trash racks shall be installed at the intake to the outlet structure as appropriate, and shall have parallel bars with one-inch spacing between the bars to the elevation of the water quality design storm. For elevations higher than the water quality design storm, the parallel bars at the outlet structure shall be spaced no greater than one-third the width of the diameter of the orifice or one-third the width of the weir, with a minimum spacing between bars of one-inch and a maximum spacing between bars of six inches.
3. Structural stormwater management measures shall be designed, constructed, and installed to be strong, durable, and corrosion resistant.
4. At the intake to the outlet from the stormwater management basin, the orifice size shall be a minimum of two and one-half inches in diameter.
5. Stormwater management basins shall be designed to meet the minimum safety standards for stormwater management basins.
B. Stormwater management measure guidelines are available in the New Jersey Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual. Other stormwater management measures may be utilized provided the design engineer demonstrates that the proposed measure and its design will accomplish the required water quantity, groundwater recharge and water quality design and performance standards established by this ordinance.
Safety Standards for Stormwater Management Basins
A. This section sets forth requirements to protect public safety through the proper design and operation of stormwater management basins. This section applies to any new stormwater management basin.
B. The provisions of this section are not intended to preempt more stringent municipal or county safety requirements for new or existing stormwater management BMPs. Municipal and county stormwater management plans and ordinances may, pursuant to their authority, require existing stormwater management BMPs to be retrofitted to meet one or more of the safety standards in § 433-8C(1), (2), and (3) for trash racks, overflow grates, and escape provisions at outlet structures.
C. Requirements for Trash Racks, Overflow Grates and Escape Provisions.
1. A trash rack is a device designed to catch trash and debris and prevent the clogging of outlet structures. Trash racks shall be installed at the intake to the outlet from the stormwater management basin to ensure proper functioning of the basin outlets in accordance with the following:
a. The trash rack shall have parallel bars, with no greater than six inch spacing between the bars.
b. The trash rack shall be designed so as not to adversely affect the hydraulic performance of the outlet pipe or structure.
c. The average velocity of flow through a clean trash rack is not to exceed two and one-half feet per second under the full range of stage and discharge. Velocity is to be computed on the basis of the net area of opening through the rack.
d. The trash rack shall be constructed and installed to be rigid, durable, and corrosion resistant, and shall be designed to withstand a perpendicular live loading of three hundred (300) lbs/ft sq.
2. An overflow grate is designed to prevent obstruction of the overflow structure. If an outlet structure has an overflow grate, such grate shall meet the following requirements:
a. The overflow grate shall be secured to the outlet structure but removable for emergencies and maintenance.
b. The overflow grate spacing shall be no less than two inches across the smallest dimension.
c. The overflow grate shall be constructed and installed to be rigid, durable, and corrosion resistant, and shall be designed to withstand a perpendicular live loading of three hundred (300) lbs./ft sq.
3. Stormwater management BMPs shall include escape provisions as follows:
a. If a stormwater management basin has an outlet structure, escape provisions shall be incorporated in or on the structure. Escape provisions include the installation of permanent ladders, steps, rungs, or other features that provide easily accessible means of egress from stormwater management BMPs. With the prior approval of the municipality pursuant, a free-standing outlet structure may be exempted from this requirement.
b. Safety ledges shall be constructed on the slopes of all new stormwater management BMPs having a permanent pool of water deeper than two and one-half feet. Such safety ledges shall be comprised of two steps. Each step shall be four to six feet in width. One step shall be located approximately two and one-half feet below the permanent water surface, and the second step shall be located one to one and one-half feet above the permanent water surface.
c. In new stormwater management basins, the maximum interior slope for an earthen dam, embankment, or berm shall not be steeper than three horizontal to one vertical.
Maintenance and Repair
B. General Maintenance.
- The design engineer shall prepare a maintenance plan for the stormwater management measures incorporated into the design of a major development.
- The maintenance plan shall contain specific preventative maintenance tasks and schedules; cost estimates, including estimated cost of sediment, debris, or trash removal; and the name, address, and telephone number of the person or persons responsible for preventative and corrective maintenance (including replacement). The plan shall contain information on BMP location, design, ownership, maintenance tasks and frequencies, and other details as specified in Chapter 8 of the NJ BMP Manual, as well as the tasks specific to the type of BMP, as described in the applicable chapter containing design specifics.
- If the maintenance plan identifies a person other than the property owner (for example, a developer, a public agency or homeowners’ association) as having the responsibility for maintenance, the plan shall include documentation of such person’s or entity’s agreement to assume this responsibility, or of the owner’s obligation to dedicate a stormwater management facility to such person under an applicable ordinance or regulation.
- Responsibility for maintenance shall not be assigned or transferred to the owner or tenant of an individual property in a residential development or project, unless such owner or tenant owns or leases the entire residential development or project. The individual property owner may be assigned incidental tasks, such as weeding of a green infrastructure BMP, provided the individual agrees to assume these tasks; however, the individual cannot be legally responsible for all of the maintenance required.
- If the party responsible for maintenance identified under Subsection B(3) above is not a public agency, the maintenance plan and any future revisions based on Subsection B(7) below shall be recorded upon the deed of record for each property on which the maintenance described in the maintenance plan must be undertaken.
- Preventative and corrective maintenance shall be performed to maintain the functional parameters (storage volume, infiltration rates, inflow/outflow capacity, etc.). of the stormwater management measure, including, but not limited to, repairs or replacement to the structure; removal of sediment, debris, or trash; restoration of eroded areas; snow and ice removal; fence repair or replacement; restoration of vegetation; and repair or replacement of non-vegetated linings.
- The party responsible for maintenance identified under Subsection B(3) above shall perform all of the following requirements:
- Maintain a detailed log of all preventative and corrective maintenance for the structural stormwater management measures incorporated into the design of the development, including a record of all inspections and copies of all maintenance-related work orders;
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the maintenance plan at least once per year and adjust the plan and the deed as needed; and
- Retain and make available, upon request by any public entity with administrative, health, environmental, or safety authority over the site, the maintenance plan and the documentation required by Subsection B(6) and (7) above.
- The requirements of Subsection B(3) and (4) do not apply to stormwater management facilities that are dedicated to and accepted by the municipality or another governmental agency, subject to all applicable municipal stormwater general permit conditions, as issued by the Department.
- In the event that the stormwater management facility becomes a danger to public safety or public health, or if it is in need of maintenance or repair, the municipality shall so notify the responsible person in writing. Upon receipt of that notice, the responsible person shall have 14 days to effect maintenance and repair of the facility in a manner that is approved by the municipal engineer or his designee. The municipality, in its discretion, may extend the time allowed for effecting maintenance and repair for good cause. If the responsible person fails or refuses to perform such maintenance and repair, the municipality or County may immediately proceed to do so and shall bill the cost thereof to the responsible person. Nonpayment of such bill may result in a lien on the property.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are my ongoing maintenance responsibilities for a stormwater facility in Paterson?
Property owners in Paterson must maintain all on-site stormwater control facilities as well as any designated open space areas, such as parks or green areas, in accordance with the approved stormwater control plan for their property. This is a continuing obligation that starts once construction is complete and lasts for the life of the facility. AQUALIS manages this ongoing maintenance responsibility for Paterson property owners, so the facility keeps performing as originally designed.
Do I need a maintenance plan for my stormwater facility in Paterson, and what does it need to include?
Yes. Paterson requires property owners to implement a detailed maintenance plan covering preventative and corrective maintenance schedules, cost estimates for sediment and debris removal, contact information for the designated responsible party, and maintenance logs documenting all inspections and work orders. AQUALIS prepares and manages these maintenance plans for Paterson property owners, keeping the required logs and documentation current and audit ready.
What happens if the City of Paterson finds my stormwater facility out of compliance?
The City of Paterson has the authority under its NPDES program to inspect properties and issue a Notice of Violation for any deficiencies or infractions. Property owners are generally given written notice requiring maintenance completion within 14 days, though extensions may be granted for good cause. AQUALIS helps Paterson property owners respond to a Notice of Violation quickly, correcting the issue and working with the city on any needed extension.
Do I need to keep maintenance logs for my stormwater facility in Paterson?
Yes. Paterson’s maintenance requirements call for logs that document all inspections and work orders performed on a stormwater facility, not just a general maintenance plan on file. These logs help demonstrate to the city that a property owner is meeting their ongoing maintenance obligations. AQUALIS maintains these inspection and work order logs for Paterson property owners, so the documentation is ready whenever the city asks for it.
Where can I find a single resource for managing my stormwater compliance needs in Paterson?
Between structural design standards, detailed maintenance plans, inspection logs, and a city enforcement program with defined repair timelines, staying compliant in Paterson involves several moving pieces that can be hard to track without dedicated support. AQUALIS offers Paterson property owners a single point of contact for stormwater management, covering maintenance plan development, inspections, Notice of Violation response, and general compliance consulting, so property owners can meet the City of Paterson’s requirements without managing every detail themselves.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Regulations change frequently — AQUALIS makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this content, and any reliance on it is at your own risk. Consult a qualified professional or your local regulatory authority to confirm requirements applicable to your specific property.
