OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
NJ Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual
Stormwater Management rules, N.J.A.C. 7:8 specify stormwater management standards that are mandatory for new major development. The New Jersey Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual (BMP manual) is developed to provide guidance to address the standards in the Stormwater Management rules, N.J.A.C. 7:8. The BMP manual provides examples of ways to meet the standards contained in the rule. The methods referenced in the BMP manual are one way of achieving the standards. An applicant is welcome to demonstrate that other proposed management practices will also achieve the standards established in the rules. The BMP Manual was developed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, in coordination with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, municipal engineers, county engineers, consulting firms, contractors, and environmental organizations.
The BMP manual has been drafted to assist review agencies and the regulated community. The methods in the BMP manual can be utilized without need for additional documentation to address the performance standards in the rule. The Department anticipates providing guidance on additional best management practices and new information on already included practices as research and development occurs in this field
Future updates of the BMP Manual will be available through www.njstormwater.org.
BMP Manual
Chapter 1: Impacts of Development on Runoff discusses the impact of development on the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff.
Chapter 2: Low Impact Development Techniques provides information on how to use structural and nonstructural to provide lower-impact development.
Chapter 3: Regional and Municipal Stormwater Management Plans presents guidance on the development of regional and municipal stormwater management plans.
Chapter 4: Stormwater Pollutant Removal Criteria provides guidance on how to meet the water quality performance standards.
Chapter 5: Stormwater Management Quantity and Quality Standards and Computations present the mathematical methods for the stormwater runoff rates, volumes, and the stormwater quality and quantity design storms.
*** Updated July 2023***
*** Updated July 2023***
Chapter Six: Groundwater Recharge discusses the groundwater recharge methodology, the groundwater recharge design storm, and the details of the New Jersey Groundwater Recharge Spreadsheet (NJGRS).
Chapter Seven: Landscaping provides information on vegetation and landscaping for stormwater management measures.
Chapter Eight: Maintenance and Retrofit of Stormwater Management measures provides information to be included and considered in a maintenance plan, and discusses retrofit of stormwater management facilities.
Chapter 9
Chapter Nine: Provides general information on Green Infrastructure BMPs that may be used for Groundwater Recharge, Stormwater Runoff Quality, and/or Stormwater Runoff Quantity
*** Updated March 2021***
- Chapter 9.1: Cisterns
- Chapter 9.2: Dry Wells
- Chapter 9.3: Grass Swales
- Chapter 9.4: Green roofs
- Chapter 9.5: Manufactured Treatment Devices (GI)-*** Updated July 2023***
- Chapter 9.6: Pervious Paving Systems
- Chapter 9.7: Small-scale Bioretention Systems
- Chapter 9.8: Small-scale Infiltration Basins
- Chapter 9.9: Small-scale Sand Filters (GI)
- Chapter 9.10: Vegetative Filter Strips
Chapter 10
Chapter 10: Provides general information on Green Infrastructure BMPs that may be used for Stormwater Runoff Quantity (or for Groundwater Recharge and/or Stormwater Runoff Quality with a Waiver or Variance from N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.3)
*** New March 2021***
Chapter 11
Chapter 11: Provides general information on Non-GI BMPs that may be used for Groundwater Recharge, Stormwater Runoff Quality, and/or Stormwater Runoff Quantity only with a Waiver or Variance from N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.3
Chapter 12: Soil Testing Criteria
*** Updated March 2024 ***
Chapter 13: Groundwater Table Hydraulic Impact Assessments for Infiltration BMPs
*** New March 2020 ***
Appendix A: Low Impact Development Checklist provides information to assist reviewers and designers in the demonstration that nonstructural stormwater management measures have been implemented in a project.
Appendix B: Municipal Regulations Checklist provides information to assist municipalities in incorporating nonstructural stormwater management measures into the master plan, land use and zoning ordinances.
Appendix C: Sample Municipal Stormwater Management Plan provides an example as well as guidance on the municipal plan required to be developed by every municipality.
Download Appendix D: Model Municipal Stormwater Control Ordinance for Municipalities provides a sample stormwater ordinance consistent with the requirements of the Stormwater Management Rules.
*** Updated July 2023 ***
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- NJ SWBMP Appendix D Model SCO July 2023 (PDF)
- NJ SWBMP Appendix D Model SCO July 2023 (Word)
- NJ SWBMP Appendix D Model SCO July 2023 -Strikeout Version (PDF)
- NJ SWBMP Appendix D Model SCO July 2023-Strikeout Version (Word)
- NJ SWBMP D Simplified July 2023(PDF)
- NJ SWBMP D Simplified July 2023 (Word)
Meeting the Green Infrastructure Requirement (N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.3)
The amendments to the Stormwater Management rules that became operative March 2021 require that major development projects meet the groundwater recharge, stormwater runoff quality and quantity standards through the use of green infrastructure.