Last Updated 08/25/2026
Excerpts from Lakewood, New Jersey Code of Ordinance
Chapter 32 Stormwater Management
Prohibited Conduct
- Already meets the design standard below to control passage of solid and floatable materials; or
- Is retrofitted or replaced to meet the standard in subsection 32-3.4 below prior to the completion of the project.
Design Standards
- Design engineers shall use either of the following grates whenever they use a grate in pavement or another ground surface to collect stormwater from that surface into a storm drain or surface water body under that grate.
- The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) bicycle safe grade, which is described in Chapter 2.4 of the NJDOT Bicycle Compatible Roadways and Bikeways Planning and Design Guidelines (April 1996); or
- A different grate, if each individual clear space in that grate has an area of no more than seven (7.0) square inches, or is no greater than 0.5 inches across the smallest dimension.
- Examples of grates subject to this standard include grates in grate inlets, the grate portion (non-curb-opening portion) of the combination inlets, grates on storm sewer manholes, ditch grates, trench grates, and grates of spacer bars in slotted drains. Examples of ground surfaces include surfaces of roads (including bridges), driveways, parking areas, bikeways, plazas, sidewalks, lawns, fields, open channels, and stormwater basin floors.
- Whenever design engineers use a curb-opening inlet, the clear space in that curb opening (or each individual clear space, if the curb opening has two or more clear spaces) shall have an area of no more than seven (7.0) square inches, or be no greater than two (2.0) inches across the smallest dimension.
- This standard does not apply:
- Where the Municipal Engineer agrees that this standard would cause inadequate hydraulic performance that could not practicably be overcome by using additional or larger storm drain inlets that meet these standards;
- Where flows are conveyed through any device (e.g., end of pipe netting facility, manufactured treatment device, or a catch basin hood) that is designed, at a minimum, to prevent delivery of all solid and floatable materials that could not pass through one of the following:
- A rectangular space four and five-eighths (4 5/8) inches long and one and one-half (1 1/2) inches wide (this option does not apply for outfall netting facilities); or
- A bar screen having a bar spacing of 0.5 inches.
- Where flows are conveyed through a trash rack that has parallel bars with one inch spacing between the bars; or
- Where the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection determines, pursuant to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places Rules at N.J.A.C. 7:4-7.2(c), that action to meet this standard is an undertaking that constitutes an encroachment or will damage or destroy the New Jersey Register listed historic property.
Enforcement
Penalties
Any person(s) who is found to be in violation of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine not to exceed a fine up to $500 per offense for each storm drain inlet that is not retrofitted to meet the design standard.
Deicing Materials Storage
Temporary outdoor storage of de-icing materials in accordance with the requirements below is allowed between October 15th and April 15th:
Loose materials shall be placed on a flat, impervious surface in a manner that prevents stormwater run-through:
Loose materials shall be placed at least 50 feet from surface water bodies, storm drain inlets, ditches and/or other stormwater conveyance channels;
Loose materials shall be maintained in a cone-shaped storage pile. If loading or unloading activities alter the cone-shape during daily activities, tracked materials shall be swept back into the storage pile, and the storage pile shall be reshaped into a cone after use;
Loose materials shall be covered as follows:
The cover shall be waterproof, impermeable, and flexible;
The cover shall extend to the base of the pile(s);
The cover shall be free from holes or tears;
The cover shall be secured and weighed down around the perimeter to prevent removal by wind; and
Weight shall be placed on the cover(s) in such a way that minimizes the potential of exposure as materials shift and runoff flows down to the base of the pile.
Sandbags lashed together with rope or cable and placed uniformly over the flexible cover, or poly-cord nets provide a suitable method. Items that can potentially hold water (e.g., old tires) shall not be used;
Containers must be sealed when not in use; and
The site shall be free of all de-icing materials between April 16th and October 14th.
De-icing materials should be stored in a permanent structure if a suitable storage structure is available. For storage of loose de-icing materials in a permanent structure, such storage may be permanent, and thus not restricted to October 15 – April 15.
All such temporary and/or permanent structures must also comply with all other Lakewood Township ordinances, including building and zoning regulations.
The property owner, or owner of the de-icing materials if different, shall designate a person(s) responsible for operations at the site where these materials are stored outdoors, and who shall document that weekly inspections are conducted to ensure that the conditions of this ordinance are met. Inspection records shall be kept on site and made available to the municipality upon request.
Residents who operate businesses from their homes that utilize de-icing materials are required to perform weekly inspections.
Exemptions
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are my ongoing maintenance obligations for a stormwater facility in Lakewood Township?
Property owners in Lakewood Township are responsible for maintaining all stormwater control facilities and designated open spaces on their property in accordance with the approved plan. This is a continuing obligation that carries on well past the completion of construction. AQUALIS manages this ongoing maintenance responsibility for Lakewood Township property owners, so the facility keeps performing the way the township expects.
Do I need to keep a maintenance log for my stormwater facility in Lakewood Township?
Yes. Lakewood Township requires a detailed maintenance plan documenting preventative tasks, cost estimates, and responsible parties, and property owners must also retain a maintenance log recording all inspections and work orders. That log has to be provided to the township upon request, so it needs to stay current and accurate. AQUALIS maintains these logs for Lakewood Township property owners, keeping documentation ready whenever the township asks for it.
What happens if the Township of Lakewood finds my stormwater facility out of compliance?
Lakewood Township has the authority under its NPDES program to inspect properties and issue a Notice of Violation for any deficiencies found on-site. After receiving written notice of needed maintenance, property owners generally have 14 days to complete repairs, although the township may grant an extension. AQUALIS helps Lakewood Township property owners respond to a Notice of Violation quickly, completing repairs within the required window.
Where can I find a single resource for managing my stormwater compliance needs in Lakewood Township?
Between structural design standards, detailed maintenance plans and logs, basin safety requirements, and a township enforcement program with defined repair timelines, staying compliant in Lakewood Township involves several moving pieces. AQUALIS offers Lakewood Township 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 township’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.
