Where a sump pump can discharge in Clifton
A pump only helps if the water it moves has somewhere allowed to go. Clifton's city code says where that is, and where it is not.
You will be put through to an independent local waterproofing company. Calls may be recorded.
What the code says
Not the sanitary sewer
The city's sewer chapter (§ 375-3) does not allow roof downspouts, foundation drains, areaway drains or other sources of runoff and groundwater to be connected to a building sewer that leads to the public sanitary sewer. A pump hose dropped into a laundry sink, a toilet or a floor drain ends up in exactly that sewer.
Clean groundwater may enter the storm system
Clifton prohibits putting anything but stormwater into its storm drains, gutters and catch basins, then lists exceptions. One of them is uncontaminated groundwater, and the ordinance (§ 375-16) names crawl space and basement sump pumps and foundation or footing drains as examples.
Clean has to mean clean
The exception is for groundwater. If a washing machine, a utility sink or a water softener empties into the sump pit, what the pump sends out is no longer plain groundwater.
Who enforces it
The storm drain article is enforced by the Police, Engineering and Health departments (§ 375-17).
What that means on your lot
The code settles which system the water may reach. It does not design your pipe. A sound discharge ends well out from the foundation, on ground that falls away from the house, short of the sidewalk, and not pointed at the house next door. Water sent across a sidewalk freezes there in winter.
If the only workable outlet is through the curb or into a catch basin, speak to the Engineering Department on 973-470-5793 before any pipe goes in. It issues the permits for sidewalk, curb and street-opening work and for sanitary sewer connections.
When the trouble is in the street
A blocked catch basin or a flooding storm drain
The Sewer Division of Public Works deals with storm drain problems and maintains the city's brooks and drainage ditches. The department's number is 973-470-2239, and the city also takes reports through its Report a Concern page.
Sewage coming up in the basement
The same division responds to sanitary sewer blockages and house lateral stoppages. Stop running water, ring the department, and call a plumber. A sump pump has no part in this and should not be used to pump sewage outdoors.