{"id":1813,"date":"2026-01-20T15:47:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T15:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/stormwater\/?page_id=1813"},"modified":"2026-02-19T13:08:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T13:08:50","slug":"nj-stormwater-best-management-practices-manual-2026","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/stormwater\/stormwater-management\/bmp-manual\/nj-stormwater-best-management-practices-manual-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"NJ Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Applicable\u00a0to\u00a0the Stormwater Management rules\u00a0operational\u00a0on January 20, 2026<\/h2>\n

The BMP chapters posted on this webpage shall be used for major developments subject to the Stormwater Management rules in effect on January 20, 2026 (1\/20\/2026 SWM rules)<\/a> and the stormwater control ordinance(s) pursuant to thereof. Applicability of the rules to major developments is set forth in N.J.A.C. 7:8-1.6 of the adopted NJPACT amendment<\/a>. For more Information regarding the applicability of the rules is also explained on the FAQs page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For major developments subject to the Stormwater Management rules in effect on July 17, 2023, please visit the 2023 BMP Page.<\/a><\/p>\n

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<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>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<\/span> is <\/span>welcome to\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0that other proposed management practices will also achieve the standards\u00a0established\u00a0in 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 Nev Jersey Department of Transportation, municipal engineers, county engineers, consulting firms, contractors, and environmental organizations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The BMP manual has been drafted to\u00a0assist\u00a0review agencies and the regulated community. The methods in the BMP manual can be\u00a0utilized\u00a0without need for\u00a0additional\u00a0documentation to address the performance standards in the rule. The Department\u00a0anticipates\u00a0providing guidance on\u00a0additional\u00a0best management practices and\u00a0new information\u00a0on already included practices as research and development occurs in this field<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Future updates of the BMP Manual will be available through<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/stormwater\/<\/span><\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

2026 BMP Manual <\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][info-box-shortcode icon=”fa fa-regular fa-file-lines” buttontitle=”Chapter 1″ buttonlink=”https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/stormwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/bmp\/nj_swbmp_1_final_-9-27-16.pdf” targetlink=”true”]Chapter 1: <\/strong>Impacts of Development on Runoff discusses the impact of development on the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff.[\/info-box-shortcode][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][info-box-shortcode icon=”fa fa-regular fa-file-lines” buttontitle=”Chapter 2″ buttonlink=”https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/stormwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/bmp\/nj_swbmp_2-print.pdf” targetlink=”true”]Chapter 2: <\/strong>Low Impact Development Techniques provides information on how to use structural and nonstructural to provide lower-impact development.[\/info-box-shortcode][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][info-box-shortcode icon=”fa fa-regular fa-file-lines” buttontitle=”Chapter 3″ buttonlink=”https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/stormwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/bmp\/njswbmp-chapter-3-regional-and-municipal-stormwater-management-planning-january-2026.pdf” targetlink=”true”]Chapter 3:<\/strong> Regional and Municipal Stormwater Management Plans presents guidance on the development of regional and municipal stormwater management plans. ***Updated January 2026***<\/span>[\/info-box-shortcode][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][info-box-shortcode icon=”fa fa-regular fa-file-lines” buttontitle=”Chapter 4″ buttonlink=”https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/stormwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/bmp\/njswbmp-chapter-4-stormwater-pollutant-removal-criteria-january-2026.pdf” targetlink=”true”]Chapter 4:<\/strong> Stormwater Pollutant Removal Criteria provides guidance on how to meet the water quality performance standards. ***Updated January 2026***<\/span>[\/info-box-shortcode][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][info-box-shortcode icon=”fa fa-regular fa-file-lines” buttontitle=”Chapter 5″ buttonlink=”https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/stormwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/bmp\/njswbmp-chapter-5-stormwater-calculations-january-2026.pdf” targetlink=”true”]Chapter 5:<\/b>\u00a0Stormwater 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.<\/p>\n