Ordinance 42631
ORDINANCE NO. 4263
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS,
WASHINGTON, AMENDING AND REPLACING CHAPTER
18.30 ECDC, ENTITLED “STORMWATER MANAGEMENT,”
IN ITS ENTIRETY.
WHEREAS, the City of Edmonds is a Department of Ecology Phase II Western
Washington Municipal Stormwater Permit holder; and
WHEREAS, as a Phase II permit holder, the City is required to update its stormwater code by
June 30, 2022, to meet the minimum requirements of the 2019 Ecology Stormwater Management Manual
for Western Washington (SWWMM); and
WHEREAS, these requirements include reviewing and revising all development-related codes,
rules, and standards to incorporate and require Low Impact Development principles and best management
practices to make Low Impact Development the preferred and commonly used approach to site
development; and
WHEREAS, the goal of Low Impact Development is to infiltrate, disperse, and retain stormwater
runoff onsite to the extent feasible; and
WHEREAS, on July 13, 2021, the update was introduced to the parks and public works
committee; and
WHEREAS, on July 20, 2021, the update was introduced to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, on August 19, 2021, the stormwater engineer provided the initial SEPA
checklist (linked here as Exhibit C1) to the SEPA official for review; and
WHEREAS, on August 24, 2021, the update was submitted to Department of Commerce;
and
WHEREAS, on September 17, 2021, the revised SEPA checklist was completed; and
WHEREAS, on September 21, 2021, a public hearing for the code update was held before
the City Council, which hearing was continued to September 28, 2021; and
WHEREAS, on September 22, 2021, a SEPA determination of nonsignificance (DNS) was
issued; and
2
WHEREAS, on October 15, 2021, the SEPA DNS reissued; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2021, the SEPA DNS was appealed; and
WHEREAS, a hearing on the SEPA appeal was held before the hearing examiner on
February 2, 2022 and February 3, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the hearing examiner upheld the DNS with a decision dated March 4, 2022;
and
WHEREAS, on May 24, 2022, the City Council approved a motion to place the stormwater
code update on the June 7, 2022 consent agenda; and
NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN
AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 18.30 of the Edmonds Community Development Code, entitled
“Stormwater Management,” is hereby amended to read as set forth in Attachment A hereto, which
is incorporated herein by this reference as if set forth in full. The existing text of chapter 18.30
ECDC shall be replaced entirely with the text shown in Attachment A.
Section 2. Severability. If any section, subsection, clause, sentence, or phrase of this
ordinance should be held invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of
the remaining portions of this ordinance.
Section 3. Effective Date. This ordinance, being an exercise of a power specifically
delegated to the City legislative body, is not subject to referendum and shall take effect upon the
latter of five (5) days after passage and publication of an approved summary thereof consisting of
the title and date July 1, 2022.
APPROVED:
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Chapter 18.30
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Sections:
18.30.000 Purposes.
18.30.010 Definitions.
18.30.020 Authority and Regulation.
18.30.030 Applicability.
18.30.040 Exemptions.
18.30.050 Administration.
18.30.060 Requirements.
18.30.070 Exceptions, Adjustments, and Appeal.
18.30.080 Access and Covenants.
18.30.090 Post Construction Inspection and Maintenance Roles and Responsibilities.
18.30.100 Enforcement Procedures.
18.30.000 Purposes.
A. To set forth standards for managing stormwater runoff from construction and development sites to minimize:
1. Degradation of surface water quality by controlling the scouring and sedimentation of creeks, streams,
wetlands, ponds, lakes, other water bodies.
2. Degradation of groundwater quality.
3. Damage to adjacent and other downstream private properties from erosion or other impacts from
stormwater runoff.
4. Damage of City-owned parcels, City roads, rights-of-way and associated infrastructure.
B. To comply with requirements in the Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Municipal Stormwater Permit as issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology).
C. To complement site planning activities that minimize:
1. Impervious surfaces area.
2. The loss of native or non-native site vegetation.
3. The generation of stormwater runoff.
D. To make low impact development (LID) the preferred and commonly used approach to site development; to
require LID be considered at the site planning stage; and to implement LID BMPs unless they are infeasible.
E. To require that all publicly-owned and privately-owned Stormwater Treatment and Flow Control best
management practices (BMPs)/Facilities are operated, maintained and repaired in manner that conforms to this
chapter.
F. To require design and maintenance of appropriate source control BMPs at publicly -owned and privately-owned
businesses and sites.
GF. To provide the authority for the City to inspect privately-owned Stormwater Treatment and Flow Control
BMPs/Facilities and to conduct source control inspections at publicly-owned and privately-owned businesses/sites.
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HG. To provide enforcement procedures for ensuring compliance with this chapter.
18.30.010 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
Arterial. A road or street primarily for through traffic. The term generally includes roads or streets considered
collectors. It does not include local access roads which are generally limited to providing ac cess to abutting
property. See also RCW 35.78.010, RCW 36.86.070, and RCW 47.05.021.
Adjustment. A variation in the application of a minimum requirement to a particular project. Adjustments provide
substantially equivalent environmental protection.
Applicant. The owning individual(s) or corporations or their representatives applying for the permits or approvals
described in this chapter.
Approval. The proposed work or completed work conforming to this chapter as approved by the public works
Director or their designee.
Best management practices (BMPs). The schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures,
and structural and/or managerial practices approved by the City that, when used singly or in combination, prevent or
reduce the release of pollutants and other adverse impacts to waters of Washington State.
Bioretention BMPs. Engineered facilities that treat stormwater by passing it through a specified soil profile, and
either retain or detain the treated stormwater for flow attenuation. Refer to the 2014 2019 Stormwater Management
Manual for Western Washington (SWMMWW), Chapter 7 of Volume V for bioretention BMP types and design
specifications.
Category 1 Project Site. A project site subject to Minimum Requirements No.1 through No.5. See ECDC
18.30.60.C.
Category 2 Project Site. A project site subject to Minimum Requirements No.1 through No.9. See ECDC
18.30.60.C.
Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL). An individual who has current certification through an
approved erosion and sediment control training program that meets the minimum training standards established by
Ecology (see BMP C160 in the SWMMWW). A CESCL is knowledgeable in the principles and practices of erosion
and sediment control. The CESCL must have the skills to assess site conditions and construction activities that could
impact the quality of stormwater and, the effectiveness of erosion and sediment control measures used to control the
quality of stormwater discharges. Certification is obtained through an Ecology approved erosion and sediment
control course. Course listings are provided online at Ecology’s website.
City’s municipal separate storm sewer system or “MS4.” A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads
with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, manmade channels, or storm drains)
that are owned or operated by the City of Edmonds, designed or used for collecting or conveying stormwater, and
are not a combined sewer nor part of a publicly owned treatment works as defined in 40 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) 122.2, and which is defined as “large” or “medium” or “small” or otherwise designated by
Ecology pursuant to 40 CFR 122.26.
Clearing. The destruction and removal of vegetation by manual, mechanical, or chemical methods.
Commercial Agriculture. Those activities conducted on lands defined in RCW 84.34.020(2) and activities involved
in the production of crops or livestock for commercial trade. An activity ceases to be considered commercial
agriculture when the area on which it is conducted is proposed for conversion to a nonagricultural use or has lain
idle for more than five years, unless the idle land is registered in a federal or state soils conservation program, or
unless the activity is maintenance of irrigation ditches, laterals, canals, or drainage ditches related to an existing and
ongoing agricultural activity.
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Common plan of development or sale. A site where multiple separate and distinct construction activities may be
taking place at different times on different schedules and/or by different contractors, but still under a single plan.
Examples include: 1) phase projects and projects with multiple filings or lots, even if the separate phases or
filings/lots will be constructed under separate contract or by separate owners (e.g., a development where lots are
sold to separate builders); 2) a development plan that may be phased over multiple years, but is st ill under a
consistent plan for long-term development; 3) projects in a contiguous area that may be unrelated but still under the
same contract, such as construction of a building extension and a new parking lot at the same facility; and 4) linear
projects such as roads, pipelines, or utilities. If the project is part of a common plan of development or sale, the
disturbed area of the entire plan must be used in determine permit requirements.
Converted vegetation (areas). The change in land cover changed from native vegetation, pasture scrub/shrub, or
unmaintained non-native vegetation to lawn or landscaped areas, or where native vegetation is converted to pasture.
Creek. Is synonymous with “streams,” which is defined in ECDC 23.40.320.
Detention facility. An above or below ground facility, such as a pond or tank, that temporarily stores stormwater
runoff and subsequently releases it at a slower rate than it is collected by the drainage facility system. There is little
or no infiltration of stored stormwater.
Development. Land-disturbing activities, including Class IV general forest practices that are conversions from
timber land to other uses. Creation or addition of hard surfaces, or replacement of hard surface that is not part of a
routine maintenance activity. Structural development, including construction, installation, replacement, or expansion
of a building or other structure. Subdivision, short subdivision, and binding site plans, as defined and applied in
Chapter 58.17 RCW
Director. The City’s Public Works and Utilities Director or a designee with an appropriate background in
engineering or another related discipline.
Discharge point. The location where a discharge leaves the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) through
the City’s MS4 facilities/BMPs designed to infiltrate.
Ecology. The Washington State Department of Ecology.
Effective impervious surface. Those impervious surfaces that are connected via sheet flow or discrete conveyance to
a drainage system. Impervious surfaces on residential development sites are considered ineffective if: 1) the runoff is
dispersed through at least 100 feet of native vegetation in accordance with BMP T5.30 – “Full Dispersion,” as
described in Chapter 5 of Volume V of the SWMMWW; 2) residential roof runoff is infiltrated in accordance with
downspout Full Infiltration Systems in BMP T5.10A in Volume III of the SWMMWW; or 3) approved continuous
runoff modeling methods indicate the entire runoff file is infiltrated.
Erodible or leachable materials. Wastes, chemicals, or other substances that measurably alter the physical or
chemical characteristics of runoff when exposed to rainfall. Examples include erodible soils that are stockpiled,
uncovered process wastes, manure, fertilizers, oily substances, ashes, kiln d ust, and garbage dumpster leakage.
Erosion. The wearing away of the land surface by running water, wind, ice, or other geological agents, including
such processes as gravitational creep. Also, detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments by water, win d, ice,
or gravity. See the SWMMWW Glossary for examples of types of water erosion.
Excavation. The mechanical removal of earth material.
Exception. Relief from the application of a minimum requirement to a project.
Fill. A deposit of earth material placed by artificial means.
Groundwater. Water in a saturated zone or stratum beneath the land surface or below a water body.
Hard surface. An impervious surface, a permeable pavement, or a vegetated roof.
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Highway. A main public road connecting towns and cities. In Edmonds, this includes State Route 99, State Route
524, and portions of State Route 104, that are classified as principal arterials in the City’s comprehensive
transportation plan.
Illicit discharge. Any direct or indirect non-stormwater discharge to the City’s MS4, groundwaters, or a water body,
except as expressly allowed by ECDC Chapter 7.200.
Impervious surface. A non-vegetated surface area that either prevents or retards the entry of water into the soil
mantle as under natural conditions prior to development. A non-vegetated surface area which causes water to run off
the surface in greater quantities or at an increased rate of flow from the flow present under natural conditions prior
to development. Common impervious surfaces include, but are not limited to, roof tops, walkways, patios,
driveways, parking lots or storage areas, concrete or asphalt paving, gravel roads, packed earthen ma terials, and
oiled, macadam or other surfaces that similarly impede the natural infiltration of stormwater. Open, uncovered
retention/detention facilities shall not be considered impervious surfaces for purposes of determining whether the
thresholds for application of minimum requirements are exceeded. Open, uncovered retention/detention facilities
shall be considered impervious surfaces for purposes of runoff modeling. Outdoor swimming pools shall be
considered impervious surfaces in all situations. In addition, lawns, landscaping, sports fields, golf courses, and
other areas that have modified runoff characteristics resulting from the addition of underdrains and impermeable or
low permeability liners are to be considered impervious surfaces. If no liner is installed, these areas (lawns,
landscaping, sports fields, golf courses, etc.) served by underdrains may be considered partially pervious if the
underdrain is set a minimum of 8 inches above the in-situ soils in a manner to allow infiltration over the fac ility
bottom.
Lake. An inland body of fresh water surrounded by land.
Land disturbing activity. Any activity that results in a change in the existing soil cover (both vegetative and non -
vegetative) and/or the existing soil topography. Land-disturbing activities include but are not limited to demolition,
clearing, grading, filling, and excavation. Compaction that is associated with stabilization of structures and road
construction shall also be considered a land-disturbing activity. Vegetation maintenance practices, including
landscape maintenance and gardening, are not considered land-disturbing activity. Stormwater facility maintenance
is not considered land disturbing activity if conducted according to established standards and procedures.
Low impact development (LID). A stormwater and land use strategy that strives to mimic pre -disturbance
hydrologic processes of infiltration, filtration, storage, evaporation and transpiration by emphasizing conservation,
use of on-site features, site planning, and distributed stormwater management practices that are integrated into a
project design.
LID Best Management Practices (BMPs). Distributed stormwater management practices, integrated into a project
design, that emphasize pre-disturbance hydrologic processes of infiltration, filtration, storage, evaporation and
transpiration. LID BMPs include, but are not limited to, bioretention, rain gardens, permeable pavements, roof
downspout controls, dispersion, soil quality and depth, minimal excavation foundations, vege tated roofs, and water
re-use.
LID principles. Land use management strategies that emphasize conservation, use of on -site natural features, and
site planning to minimize impervious surfaces, native vegetation loss, and stormwater runoff.
Maintenance. Repair and maintenance activities conducted on currently serviceable structures, facilities, and
equipment that involves no expansion or use beyond that previously existing and results in no significant adverse
hydrologic impact. It includes those usual activities taken to prevent a decline, lapse, or cessation in the use of
structures and systems. Those usual activities may include replacement of dysfunctional facilities, including cases
where environmental permits require replacing an existing structure with a different type of structure, as long as the
functioning characteristics of the original structure are not changed. One example is the replacement of a collapsed,
fish blocking, round culvert with a new box culvert under the same span, or width, of roadway . In regard to
stormwater facilities, maintenance includes assessment to ensure ongoing proper operation, removal of built up
pollutants (i.e., sediments), replacement of failed or failing treatment media, and other actions taken to correct
defects as identified in the maintenance standards of Chapter 4Appendix A, Volume V of the SWMMWW.
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Maximum extent practicable (MEP). Refers to paragraph 402(p)(3)(B)(iii) of the federal Clean Water Act which
reads as follows: Permits for discharges from municipal storm sewers shall require controls to reduce the discharge
of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable, including management practices, control techniques, and system,
design, and engineering methods, and other such provisions as the Administrator or the State determines appropriate
for the control of such pollutants.
MS4. The City’s municipal separate storm sewer system.
Native vegetation. Vegetation comprised of plant species, other than noxious weeds, indigenous to the coastal region
of the Pacific Northwest which could have been reasonably expected to occur naturally on the site. Examples
include trees such as Douglas fir, western hemlock, western red cedar, alder, big-leaf maple, and vine maple; shrubs
such as willow, elderberry, salmonberry, and salal; and herbaceous plants such as sword fern, foam flower, and
fireweed.
Natural drainage systems and outfalls. The location of the channels, swales, and other non-manmade conveyance
systems as defined by the earliest documented topographic contours existing for the subject property, either from
maps or photographs, or such other means as appropriate.
New Development. Land disturbing activities, including Class IV-general forest practices that are conversions
from timberland to other uses; structural development, including construction or installation of a building or other
structure; creation of hard surfaces; and subdivision , short subdivision, and binding site plans, as defined and applied
in Chapter 58.17 RCW. ECDC 18.30 does not distinguish the difference between new development and
redevelopment; all projects in Edmonds shall meet the requirements for new development.
New Impervious Surface. A surface that is: 1) changed from a pervious surface to an impervious surface (e.g.,
resurfacing by upgrading from dirt to gravel, a bituminous surface treatment (“chip seal”), asphalt, concre te, or an
impervious structure); or 2) upgraded from gravel to chip seal, asphalt, concrete, or an impervious structure; or 3)
upgraded from chip seal to asphalt, concrete, or an impervious structure. Note that if asphalt or concrete has been
overlaid by a chip seal, the existing condition should be considered as asphalt or concrete.
Outfall. A point source as defined by 40 CFR 122.2 at the point where a discharge leaves the City’s MS4 and enters
a surface receiving waterbody or surface receiving waters. Outfall does not include pipes, tunnels, or other
conveyances which connect segments of the same stream or other surface waters and are used to convey primarily
surface waters (i.e., culverts).
On-site Stormwater Management BMPs. A synonym for Low Impact Development BMPs.
Permeable pavement. Pervious concrete, porous asphalt, permeable pavers or other forms of pervious or porous
paving material intended to allow passage of water through the pavement section. It often includes an aggregate base
that provides structural support and acts as a stormwater reservoir.
Pervious Surface. Any surface material that allows stormwater to infiltrate into the ground. Examples include lawn,
landscape, pasture, native vegetation areas, and permeable pavements.
Person. Any individual, partnership, corporation, association, organization, cooperative, public or municipal
corporation, agency of the state, or City government unit, however designated.
Pollution-generating hard surface (PGHS). Those hard surfaces considered to be a significant source of pollutants in
stormwater runoff. See the listing of surfaces under pollution -generating impervious surface.
Pollution-generating impervious surface (PGIS). Those impervious surfaces considered to be a significant so urce of
pollutants in stormwater runoff. Such surfaces include those which are subject to: vehicular use; industrial activities
(as further defined in the glossary of the SWMMWW); storage of erodible or leachable materials, wastes, or
chemicals, and which receive direct rainfall or the run-on or blow-in of rainfall; metal roofs unless they are coated
with an inert, non-leachable material (e.g., baked-on enamel coating); or roofs that are subject to venting significant
amounts of dusts, mists, or fumes from manufacturing, commercial, or other indoor activities.
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Pollution-generating pervious surfaces (PGPS). Any non-impervious pervious surface subject to 1) vehicular use, 2)
industrial activities (as further defined in the glossary of the SWMMWW ); or 3) storage of erodible or leachable
materials, wastes, or chemicals, and that receive direct rainfall or run -on or blow-in of rainfall, 4) use of pesticides
and fertilizers, or 5) loss of soil. Typical PGPS include permeable pavement subject to vehicular use, lawns, and
landscaped areas including: golf courses, parks, cemeteries, and sports fields (natural and artificial turf).
Pre-developed condition. The native vegetation and soils that existed at a site prior to the influence of Euro -
American settlement. The pre-developed condition shall be assumed to be a forested land cover unless reasonable,
historic information is provided that indicates the site was prairie prior to settlement.
Project: Any proposed action to alter or develop a site.
Project site. That portion of a property, properties, and/or right-of-way subject to land-disturbing activities, new hard
surfaces, or replaced hard surfaces. For projects that involve land disturbing activity on one or more parcels and /or
land disturbing activity in the City right-of-way, the “Project site” includes all areas of land disturbance. If the
project is part of a common development plan or sale, the disturbed area of the entire plan shall be used in
determining permit requirements.
Rain garden. A non-engineered shallow landscaped depression, with compost-amended native soils and adapted
plants. The depression is designed to pond and temporarily store stormwater runoff from adjacent areas, and to allow
stormwater to pass through the amended soil profile.
Receiving waterbody or Receiving waters. Naturally and/or reconstructed naturally occurring surface water bodies,
such as creeks, streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and marine waters, or groundwater, to which a MS4
discharges.
Redevelopment. ECDC 18.30 does not distinguish the difference between new development and redevelopment; all
projects in Edmonds shall meet the requirements for new development. Where existing unmitigated surfaces are to
remain, the additional “retrofit” requirement per ECDC 18.30.060.D.5.b.i applies.
Replaced hard surface. For structures means the removal and replacement of hard surfaces down to the foundation.
For other hard surfaces, it means the removal down to bare soil or base course and replacem ent.
Replaced impervious surface. For structures, the removal and replacement of any exterior impervious surfaces down
to the foundation. For other impervious surfaces, it means the removal down to bare soil or base course and
replacement.
Roadway. Traveled hard surface portion of any public or private road or street.
Road-related project. A project that all of, or the majority of, the new or replaced hard surface consist of roadway,
shoulders, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, or walkways, either publicly or privately funded. Frontage improvements
constructed as a requirement for a development project are not considered a road-related oadway project.
Runoff. Water originating from rainfall and other precipitation that is found in drainage facilities, rivers, streams,
springs, seeps, ponds, lakes and wetlands, as well as shallow ground water. It also means the portion of rainfall or
other precipitation that becomes surface flow and interflow.
Site. The area defined by the legal boundaries of a parcel or parcels of land that is (are) subject to development. For
road projects, or utility projects in the right-of-way, the length of the project site and the right-of-way boundaries
define the site. Note that drainage impacts are generally assessed for the “project site”, under separate definition.
Slope. The degree of deviation of a surface from the horizontal; measured as a numerical ratio, percent, or in
degrees. Expressed as a ratio, the first number is the horizontal distance (run) and the second is the vertical distance
(rise), as 2:1. A 2:1 slope is a 50 percent slope. Expressed in degrees, the slope is the angle from the horizontal
plane, with a 90-degree slope being vertical (maximum) and 45 degrees being a 1:1 or 100 percent slope.
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Soil. The unconsolidated mineral and organic material on the intermediate surface of the earth that serves as a
natural medium for the growth of land plants.
Source control BMPs. A structure or operation that is intended to prevent pollutants from coming into contact with
storm water through physical separation of areas or careful management of activities that are sources of pollutants.
The SWMMWW separates source control BMPs into two types. Structural source control BMPs are physical,
structural, or mechanical devices, or facilities that are intended to prevent pollutants from entering stormwater.
Operational Source Control BMPs are non-structural practices that prevent or reduce pollutants from entering
stormwater. See Volume IV of the SWMMWW for details.
Stormwater facility. A constructed component of a stormwater drainage system, designed and constructed to
perform a particular function or multiple functions. Stormwater facilities include, but are not limited to, pipes,
swales, ditches, culverts, street gutters, detention ponds, retention ponds, constructed wetlands, infiltration devices,
catch basins, oil/water separators, and biofiltration swales.
Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (SWMMWW). The Washington State Department of
Ecology’s 2012 2019(as amended in 2014) Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington. Referred to
as the 2014 2019 SWMMWW.
Stormwater site plan. The comprehensive report containing all of the technical information and analysis necessary
for regulatory agencies to evaluate a proposed development project for compliance with stormwater requirements.
Contents of the Stormwater Site Plan will vary with the type and size of the project, and individual site
characteristics. It includes a Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (Construction SWPPP) and a
Permanent Stormwater Control Plan (PSC Plan). Guidance on preparing a Stormwater Site Plan is contained in
Chapter 3 of Volume I of the SWMMWW.
Stormwater Treatment and Flow Control BMPs/Facilities. Detention facilities, treatment BMPs/facilities,
bioretention, vegetated roofs, and permeable pavements that help meet Minimum Requirements No.6 (Treatment),
Minimum Requirement No.7 (Flow Control), or both as described in ECDC 18.30.060.
Threshold discharge area. An on-site area within a project site that drains to eitherdraining to a single natural
discharge location or multiple natural discharge locations that combine within one -quarter mile downstream (as
determined by the shortest flowpath). The examples below and in Figure G.1: Example TDA Delineations below,
presented in Volume I of the SWMMWW illustrate this definition. The purpose of this definition is to clarify how
the thresholds of this code are applied to project sites with multiple discharge points.
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Vehicular Use. Regular use of an impervious or pervious surface by motor vehicles. The following are subject to
regular vehicular use: roads, un-vegetated road shoulders, bike lanes within the traveled lane of a roadway,
driveways, parking lots, unrestricted access fire lanes, vehicular equipment storage yards, and airport runways.
The following are not considered subject to regular vehicular use: sidewalks not subject to drainage from roads for
motor vehicles, paved bicycle pathways separated from and not subject to drainage from roads fo r motor vehicles,
restricted access fire lanes, and infrequently used maintenance access roads.
Waterbody. Surface waters including rivers, streams, lakes, marine waters, estuaries, and wetlands.
Waters of the state. Includes those waters defined as “waters of the United States” in 40 CFR Subpart 122.2 within
the geographic boundaries of Washington State, and “waters of the state” as defined in Chapter 90.48 RCW which
includes lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, inland waters, underground waters, salt waters a nd all other surface waters
and water courses within the jurisdiction of the state of Washington.
Wetlands. As defined in ECDC 23.40.005. [Ord. 4026 § 1 (Att. A), 2016].
18.30.020 Authority and Regulation.
A. The Public Works and Utilities Director shall administer this chapter and shall be referred to as the Director.
B. The Director shall have the authority to develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures to administer
and enforce this chapter per ECDC 18.30.110 and 18.30.120, such as the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum.
C. The requirements of this chapter are minimum requirements. They do not replace, repeal, abrogate, supersede , or
affect any other more stringent requirements, rules, regulations, covenants, standards, or restri ctions. Where this
chapter imposes requirements that are more protective of human health or the environment than those set forth
elsewhere, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail. When this chapter imposes requirements that are less
protective of human health or the environment than those set forth elsewhere, the provisions of the more protective
requirements shall prevail.
D. The Director shall have the authority to impose additional requirements on a project or site to meet the purpose of
this chapter based on site-specific factors including, but not limited to, location, soil conditions, slope, and
designated use.
E. Approvals and permits granted under this chapter are not waivers of the requirements of any other la ws, nor do
they indicate compliance with any other laws. Compliance is still required with all applicable federal, state and local
laws and regulations, including rules promulgated under authority of this chapter.
F. Compliance with the provisions of this chapter does not necessarily mitigate all impacts to the environment. Thus,
compliance with this chapter should not be construed as mitigating all drainage water or other environmental
impacts, and additional mitigation may be required to protect the environment pursuant to other applicable laws and
regulations. The primary obligation for compliance with this chapter and for preventing environmental harm on or
from property is placed upon the applicant. [Ord. 3792 § 1, 2010].
18.30.030 Applicability.
A. This chapter applies to applications:
1. sSubmitted on or after January July 1, 2017 2022, and
2. applications sSubmitted prior to January 1, 2017, which have not started construction by January 1, 2022 ,
and
1.3. Submitted prior to July 1, 2022, which have not started construction by July 1, 2027.
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B. This chapter applies to the following actions on sites that discharge to the City’s MS4 or discharges to waters of
the state whether or not a City-issued permit is required:
1. Land-disturbing activity, or
2. Creation of new hard surfaces, or
3. Replacement of existing hard surfaces, or
4. Conversion of pervious surfaces, or
5. New connections to the City’s MS4, or
6. Any other actions that can increase the volume or rate of stormwater runoff, or cause the generation of
pollutants, from the site.
18.30.040 Exemptions.
A. Full Exemptions. The following land uses and land-disturbing activities are exempt from the provisions of this
chapter:
1. Forest practices regulated under WAC Title 222, except for Class IV general forest practices that are
conversions from timberland to other uses, are exempt from the provisions of the minimum requirements.
2. Commercial agriculture practices that involve working land for production are generally exempt. However,
land conversion from timberland to agriculture and the construction of impervious surfaces are not exempt.
3. Construction of drilling sites, waste management pits, and associated access roads, and construction of
transportation and treatment infrastructure such as pipelines, natural gas treatment plants, natural gas
pipeline compressor stations, and crude oil pumping stations are exempt. Operators are encouraged to
implement and maintain best management practices to minimize erosion and control sediment during and
after construction activities to help ensure protection of surface water quality during storm events.
4. The following pavement maintenance practices or activities are exempt: pothole and square -cut patching,
overlaying existing asphalt or concrete pavement with asphalt or concrete without expanding the area of
coverage, shoulder grading, reshaping/regrading drainage systems, crack sealing, resurfacing with in -kind
material without expanding the road prism, pavement preservation activities that do not expand the road
prism, and vegetation maintenance.
B. Partial Exemptions. The following land uses and land-disturbing activities are partially exempt from the
provisions of this chapter:
1. Underground utility projects that replace the ground surfa ce with in-kind material or materials with similar
runoff characteristics are only subject to Minimum Requirement No. 2, Construction Stormwater Pollution
Prevention.
a. Utility installations as part of a development project, whether in the right-of-way or on private
property, are not considered an underground utility project for the sake of this partial exemption.
2. The following pavement maintenance practices or activities are considered development, and therefore are
not categorically exempt. The extent to which these requirements apply is explained for each circumstance.
a. Removing and replacing an asphalt or concrete pavement paved surface to base course or a lower level,
or repairing the pavement base: If impervious surfaces are not expanded, Minimum Requirements No.
1 – No. 5 apply when the thresholds identified for development projects in ECDC 18.30.060 are met .
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Where appropriate, project proponents are encouraged to look for opportunities to use permeable and
porous pavements.These are considered replaced hard surfaces.
b. Extending the pavement edge without increasing the size of the road prism or paving graveled
shoulders: these are considered new impervious hard surfaces and are subject to the minimum
requirements that are triggered when the thresholds identified for development projects in ECDC
18.30.060 are met..
c. Resurfacing by upgrading from dirt to gravel, asphalt, or concrete; or upgrading from gravel to asphalt
or concrete; or upgrading from a bituminous surface treatment (“chip seal”) to asphalt or concrete:
these are considered new impervious hard surfaces and are subject to the minimum requirements that
are triggered when the thresholds identified for development projects in ECDC 18.30.060 are met..
18.30.050 Administration.
A. Application, Submittals, and Review.
1. The Director shall review all plans and all other submittals required by ECDC 18.30.050.A.3 for
compliance with this chapter when:
a. An application for a City permit is required under all other chapters of ECDC Title 18 or 19, or
b. A subdivision application is submitted per ECDC 20.75.040.
2. In all other situations when actions under ECDC 18.30.030 apply to a project site, review shall be under a
Stormwater permit.
3. All stormwater review submittals shall contain, in addition to the information required under any other
applicable City code, a Stormwater Site Plan as described in the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum (see
ECDC 18.30.060) and any other information required by the Director.
B. Inspections.
1. The Director shall inspect projects at various stages of the work to determine if they comply with the
requirements of this chapter, and enforcement actions shall be taken as necessary. These inspections will
include, but not be limited to, the following:
a. Prior to site clearing and construction to assess site erosion potential , and
b. During construction to verify proper installation and maintenance of required erosion and sediment
controls and other approved plan components, and
c. All permanent stormwater treatment and flow control BMPs/facilities and catch basins in new
residential developments every six months until 90 percent of the lots are constructed (or when
construction is stopped and the site is fully stabilized) to identify maintenance needs and enforce
compliance with maintenance standards as needed, and
d. Upon completion of construction and prior to final approval to ensure proper installation of permanent
stormwater control facilities and verify that a maintenance plan is completed and responsibility for
maintenance is assigned for stormwater treatment and flow control BMPs/facilities, and
e. Post-Construction inspections per ECDC 18.30.090.
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2. When reasonably required by the Director to accomplish the purpose of this chapter or to comply with
local, state or federal law or regulation on stormwater, special inspection or testing shall be performed by
the applicant.
C. Fees. Application, review and inspection fees as set in ECDC Chapter 15.00 shall be paid.
18.30.060 Requirements.
A. Documents. The sources of the stormwater management requirements for the City are from the following
documents:
1. Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit, Appendix 1, modification date January 16,
2015August 1, 2019
2. 2014 2019 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (SWMMWW)
3. The Edmonds Stormwater Addendum
In the event of conflicts between the various provisions, the more stringent provision shall apply.
B. Illicit Discharges and Connections. Non-stormwater illicit discharges, including spills, into the MS4,
groundwaters, or a water body from any developed or undeveloped lands are prohibited per ECDC Chapter
7.200.
C. Thresholds and Applicability
1. The thresholds outlined in this section are only applicable to ECDC 18.30.060.C. See also the Edmonds
Stormwater Addendum for supplemental information on thresholds.
a. All development shall be required to comply with Minimum Requirement No. 2.
b. Category 1 project sites shall comply with Minimum Requirements No. 1 through No. 5 . Category 1
includes projects that:
i. Result in 2,000 square feet, or greater, of new plus replaced hard surface area, or
ii. Have land disturbing activity of 7,000 square feet or greater.
c. Category 2 project sites shall comply with Minimum Requirements No. 1 through No. 9. Category 2
includes projects that:
i. Result in 5,000 square feet, or greater, of new plus replaced hard surface area, or
ii. Convert 0.75 acres, or more, of vegetation to lawn or landscaped areas, or
iii. Convert 2.5 acres, or more, of native vegetation to pasture.
2. Additional Requirements for road-related projects. For road-related projects, runoff from the new and
replaced hard surfaces (including pavement, shoulders, curbs, and sidewalks) and the converted vegetation
areas shall meet all the minimum requirements only if the new hard surfaces total 5,000 square feet or more
and total 50 percent or more of the existing hard surfaces within the project limits. Otherwise, the minimum
requirements only apply to the new hard surfaces and the converted vegetation areas that exceed the
thresholds in (1) above. The project limits shall be defined by the length of the project and the width of the
right-of-way.
3. New Connections to the City’s MS4 when the proposed connection does not involve activity that meets the
definition of development. Sites that are not currently connected to the City’s MS4 but that wish to connect
directly or indirectly to the City’s MS4 may be allowed on a case-by-case basis, subject to City approval.
For sites that propose to drain greater than or equal to 2,000 square feet of hard surface area to the City’s
MS4, the project shall comply with the requirement of this chapter, treating all hard surfaces to be drained
to the City system as new hard surfaces, unless applicant can demonstrate that the site will discharge in the
same manner and quantities prior to the proposed project. Applicant shall account for natural dispersion
and/or infiltration which may be occurring if these new hard surfaces currently drain through pervious
areas. minimum requirements and BMPs associated with stormwater flow control and/or water quality
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treatment (such as those outlined in ECDC 18.30.060.D [1] through [9]) may be required if the connection
poses any risk to downstream systems such as erosion, flooding, property damage, habitat damage, water
quality degradation, or other related impacts.
3.4. Minimum requirements may be met for an equivalent (flow and pollution characteristics) area. The
equivalent area may be within the same TDA. If the equivalent area is outside the TDA, or off -site, the
equivalent area must drain to the same receiving water and the guidance for equivalent facilities using in -
basin transfers must be followed, as detailed in Appendix D of Volume I of SWMMWW.
D. Minimum Technical Requirements. This section describes the minimum technical requirements for stormwater
management at development sites.
1. Minimum Requirement No. 1 – Preparation of Stormwater Site Plans
The City shall require a Stormwater Site Plan from all projects meeting the thresholds in ECDC
18.30.060.C. Stormwater Site Plans shall use site-appropriate development principles to retain native
vegetation and minimize impervious surfaces to the extent f easible. Stormwater Site Plans shall be prepared
in accordance with Chapter 3 of Volume I1 of the SWMMWW and the requirements in the Edmonds
Stormwater Addendum.
2. Minimum Requirement No. 2 – Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
a. Thresholds:
i. All development projects are responsible for preventing erosion and discharge of sediment
and other pollutants into receiving waters. Compliance with this minimum requirement can be
achieved for an individual site if the site is covered under Ecology’s General NPDES Permit
for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activities and fully implementing
the requirements of that permit.
ii. A Construction SWPPP is required for all projects which a) result in 2,000 square feet or
more of new plus replaced hard surface area, b) where a structure with an exterior hard
surface area of at least 2,000 square feet is being demolished, c) which disturb 7,000 square
feet or more of land, or d) when the site falls within the Earth Subsidence Landslide Hazard
Area, Landslide Hazard Area or steep slope critical area. Projects that do not meet any of the
above criteria are not required to prepare a Construction SWPPP, but must consider all of the
elements listed below for Construction SWPPPs and develop controls for all Construction
SWPPP elements that pertain to the project site.
b. General Requirements:
i. The SWPPP shall include a narrative and drawings. All BMPs shall be clearly referenced in
the narrative and marked on the drawings. The SWPPP narrative shall include documentation
to explain and justify the pollution prevention decisions made for the project. Each of the
thirteen elements referenced below must be considered and included in the SWPPP unless site
conditions render the element unnecessary and the exemption from that element is clearly
justified in the narrative of the SWPPP.
ii. Clearing and grading activities for developments shall be permitted only if conducted
pursuant to an approved site development plan (e.g., building permit, subdivision approval)
that establishes permitted areas of clearing, grading, cutting, and filling. These permitted
clearing and grading areas and any other areas required to preserve critical or sensitive areas,
buffers, native growth protection easements, or tree retention areas as required by the City,
shall be delineated on the site plans and the development site.
iii. The SWPPP shall be implemented beginning with initial land disturbance and until final
stabilization. Sediment and Erosion control BMPs shall be consistent with the BMPs
contained in Chapter 4 of Volume II of the SWMMWW.
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c. Seasonal Work Limitations:
From October 1 through April 30, clearing, grading, and other soil disturbing activities may only be
authorized by the City if it can be demonstrated that silt-laden runoff will be prevented from leaving
the site through a combination of the following:
i. Site conditions including existing vegetative coverage, slope, soil type , and proximity to
receiving waters; and
ii. Limitations on activities and the extent of disturbed areas; and
iii. Proposed erosion and sediment control measures, in accordance with ECDC 18.30.060.D.2.d
below.
Based on the information provided and/or local weather conditions, the City may expand or restrict the
seasonal limitation on site disturbance. The following activities are exempt from the seasonal clearing
and grading limitations, except for sites lying in whole or in part within an earth subsidence and
landslide hazard area as defined by ECDC 19.10.020.F:
i. Routine maintenance and necessary repair of erosion and sediment control BMPs,
ii. Routine maintenance of public facilities or existing utility structures that do not expose the
soil or result in the removal of the vegetative cover to soil, and
iii. Activities where there is one hundred percent infiltration of surface water runoff within the
site in approved and installed erosion and sedimen t control facilities.
d. Construction SWPPP Elements
i. Construction SWPPP elements are required in accordance with Chapter 23, Section 2.5.23.4.2
of Volume I of the SWMMWW and the requirements in the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum.
3. Minimum Requirement No. 3 – Source Control of Pollution
All known, available and reasonable source control BMPs must be required for all projects approved by the
City. Source control BMPs must be selected, designed, and maintained in accordance with Volume IV of
the SWMMWW. All single family residential projects shall, at a minimum, incorporate required applicable
source control BMPs from SWMMWW Volume IV which may include,
i. S401 – BMPs for the Building, Repair, and Maintenance of Boats and Ships
ii. S411 – BMPs for Landscaping and Lawn/Vegetation Management.
iii. S433 – BMPs for Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Fountains
iv. S434 – BMPs for Dock Washing
v. S438 – BMPs for Construction Demolition
vi. S440 – BMPs for Pet Waste
vii. S441 – BMPs for Fertilizer Application
i.viii. S452 – BMPs for Building, Repair, Remodeling, Painting, and Construction
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4. Minimum Requirement No. 4 – Preservation of Natural Drainage Systems and Outfalls
Natural drainage patterns shall be maintained, and discharges from the project site shall occur at the natural
location, to the maximum extent practicable. The manner by which runoff is discharged from the project
site must not cause a significant adverse impact to downstream receiving waters and down gradient
properties. The discharge must have an identified overflow route that is safe and certain, and leads to the
ultimate outfall location (such as a receiving water or municipal drainage system). All outfalls require
energy dissipation.
To demonstrate compliance with this core requirement, all projects shall submit an off-site qualitative
analysis. If an existing problem (or potential future problem after development) is identified, mitigation
will be required to prevent worsening of that problem. A quantitative analysis may be required for any
project deemed to need additional information or where the project proponent or the City determines that a
quantitative analysis is necessary to evaluate the off-site impacts or the capacity of the conveyance system.
See the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum for additional details on complying with this requirement.
5. Minimum Requirement No. 5 – On-site Stormwater Management
a. Applicability:
On-site Stormwater Management BMPs are required in accordance with the following project
thresholds, standards, and lists to infiltrate, disperse, and retain stormwater runoff on -site to the extent
feasible without causing flooding or erosion impacts. See the SWMMWW and the Edmonds
Stormwater Addendum for additional details on On-site Stormwater Management BMP infeasibility.
b. Project Thresholds:
There are sixfive project scenarios outlined below that determine the applicability of Minimum
Requirement No. 5 – On-site Stormwater Management. The first four scenarios apply to projects that
discharge directly or indirectly to the City’s MS4. The fifth scenario applies to project discharges that
do not enter the City’s MS4. The sixth scenario applies to small projects that discharge to an existing
stormwater facility with a surface overflow. Note that more than one of the sixfive scenarios may
apply to a given project:
i. Retrofit. Projects that discharge directly or indirectly to the City’s MS4 and that contain
existing hard surfaces on the parcel or common plan of development that do not drain to an
approved stormwater management facility are required to provide On-site Stormwater
Management BMPs to manage a portion of those existing hard surfaces that will remain after
project completion. BMPs from List No.1 (See ECDC 18.30.060.D.5.d) shall be applied to a
minimum of 25 percent of those existing unmanaged surfaces, but to no more than the area
equal to the proposed new plus replaced hard surfaces.
Within the Perrinville Creek basin, the retrofit value shall be increased from 25 percent to 50
percent.
Only for those existing unmanaged hard surfaces that remain after project completion,
applicants are not required to evaluate BMPs in priority order or document infeasibilit y for
these existing surfaces (as is required under ECDC 18.30.060.D.5.b [ii] and [iii] below).
However, if it is determined that the minimum 25 percentageminimum percentage
requirement cannot be met due to BMP infeasibility, documentation of BMP infeasibility is
required. In addition, when runoff from exiting unmanaged hard surfaces is mixed with runoff
from new plus replacedmanaged hard surfaces, those BMPs must be selected and designed in
accordance with the requirements for management of new plus replaced for all areas which
contribute runoff to the BMPhard surfaces (per sections [ii] and [iii] below). See the
SWMMWW and the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum for additional details on On-site
Stormwater Management BMP infeasibility.
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This requirement is specific to Minimum Requirement No. 5 only. The surfaces treated by
this requirement do no need to be added to project thresholds or mitigated under other
minimum requirements. Impervious surfaces disturbed solely for installation of BMPs
proposed to satisfy this requirement need not be consider as replaced hard surfaces for the
project.
iii.ii. Category 1. Category 1 project sites that discharge directly or indirectly to the City’s MS4
and are required to comply with Minimum Requirements No. 1 through No. 5 (per ECDC
18.30.060.C) shall either:
a. Use On-site Stormwater Management BMPs from List No.1 for all new plus replaced
hard surfaces and land disturbed (See ECDC 18.30.060.D.5.d); or
b. Demonstrate compliance with the LID Performance Standard (See ECDC
18.30.060.D.5.c). Projects selecting this option cannot use rain gardens. They may choose
to use bioretention BMPs as described in the SWMMWW.
iv.iii. Category 2. Category 2 project sites that discharge directly or indirectly to the City’s MS4
and are required to comply with Minimum Requirements No. 1 through No. 9 (per ECDC
18.30.060.C) shall either:
a. Use On-site Stormwater Management BMPs from List No.2 for all new plus replaced
hard surfaces and land disturbed (See ECDC 18.30.060.D.5.e); or
b. Demonstrate compliance with the LID Performance Standard (See ECDC
18.30.060.D.5.c). Projects selecting this option cannot use rain gardens. They may
choose to use bioretention BMPs as described in the SWMMWW.
v.iv. Direct Discharge Requirement. Projects that discharge directly to Puget Sound through the
City’s MS4 (in accordance with the restrictions applicable to direct discharges to Puget Sound
presented in Section 2.5.73.4.7 of Volume I of the SWMMWW) do not have to achieve the
LID Performance Standard, nor consider bioretention, rain gardens, permeable pavement, or
full dispersion, but must implement BMP T5.13 (Post-Construction Soil Quality and Depth);
BMPs T5.10A Downspout Full Infiltration Systems, T5.10B Downspout Dispersion Systems,
or T5.10B Perforated Stub-out Connections; and BMP T5.11 Concentrated Flow Dispersion
or T5.12 Sheet Flow Dispersion; if feasible for all new plus replaced hard surfaces and land
disturbed. See the SWMMWW and the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum for additional details
on On-site Stormwater Management BMP infeasibilitymust meet the following:
. Projects must implement BMP T5.13 (Post-Construction Soil Quality & Depth); BMPs
T5.10A Downspout Full Infiltration Systems, T5.10B Downspout Dispersion Systems,
or T5.10B Perforated Stub-out Connections; and BMP T5.11 Concentrated Flow
Dispersion or T5.12 Sheet Flow Dispersion; if feasible for all new plus replaced hard
surfaces and land disturbed. See the SWMMWW and the Edmonds Stormwater
Addendum for additional details on On-site Stormwater Management BMP infeasibility.
. Edmonds Way specific requirements. After applying the requirements in item (a) above,
for all remaining project site runoff (e.g., from unmanaged surfaces, or from overflow
from on-site BMPs), the post-development 10-, and 100-year recurrence interval peak
flows shall not exceed, 0.25 and 0.45 cubic feet per second per acre of impervious
surface area, respectively. See the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum for additional
details.
viii.v. Projects that do not drain directly or indirectly to the City’s MS4 are required to implement
one of the following:
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a. Project sites may discharge to the downstream private property (e.g., projects located
above BNSF property) with approval from the downstream property owner(s).
b. Project sites may discharge runoff to an on-site system.
i. For sites located within earth subsidence and landslide hazard areas or their
buffers, a geotechnical design, analysis, and report by a geotechnical
engineer is required for the on-site system. On-site Stormwater
Management BMPs from List No.1 in ECDC 18.30.060.D.5.d shall be
evaluated for all new plus replaced hard surfaces and land disturbed.
Projects are not required to evaluate BMPs in priority order or document
infeasibility. The project applicant may be subject to an extra permit
processing fee for City review of the geotechnical analysis. Projects are
required to comply with all other applicable City requirements, such as
ECDC 19.10 (earth subsidence and landslide hazard areas).
ii. For sites located outside earth subsidence and landslide hazard areas or their
buffers, ECDC 18.30.060.D.5.ii and ECDC 18.30.060.D.5.iii shall be
followed to evaluate site appropriate BMP’s.
c. Subject to prior approval by the City, project sites may pump on -site runoff to the City’s
MS4. A quantitative downstream analysis in accordance with Minimum Requirement
No. 4 and the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum will be required. If the City’s MS4 does
not have adequate capacity to receive the applicant’s pumped flows, the applicant is
required to install an on-site detention system to store runoff and pump it to the MS4 at
an approved rate.
vi. Projects under 2,000 square feet of new plus replaced hard surfaces which discharge to an
existing stormwater facility with a surface overflow, shall expand the stormwater facility size
for the proposed new plus replaced hard surfaces based on existing design data.
ii.i. Alternatively, or where existing design data cannot be found, the project shall
discharge to a separate stormwater facility appropriately sized per the designer.
c. LID Performance Standard
For projects that elect to meet the LID Performance Standard to comply with ECDC 18.30.060.D.b (ii)
and (iii), stormwater discharges shall match developed discharge durations to pre -developed durations
for the range of pre-developed discharge rates from 8 percent of the 2-year peak flow to 50 percent of
the 2-year peak flow from the project site. Refer to the Standard Flow Control Requirement section in
Minimum Requirement No. 7 for information about the assignment of the pre-developed condition.
Project sites that must also meet Minimum Requirement No. 7 shall match flow durations between 8
percent of the 2-year flow through the full 50-year flow.
i. Projects meeting the LID performance criteria are still required to comply with the
requirements for BMP T5.13: Post-Construction Soil Quality and Depth, to the maximum
extent feasible.
d. List No.1 for Category 1 project sites: On-site Stormwater Management BMPs for Projects Triggering
Minimum Requirements No. 1 through No. 5.
For projects that elect to use List No. 1 to comply with ECDC 18.30.060.D.b (ii), for each surface,
consider the BMPs in the order listed for that type of surface. Use the first BMP that is considered
feasible. No other On-site Stormwater Management BMP is necessary for that surface. Feasibility shall
be determined by evaluation against design criteria, limitations, and infeasibility criteria identified for
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each BMP in the SWMMWW and the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum; and Competing Needs
Criteria listed in Chapter 5 3 of Volume V I of the SWMMWW.
Lawn and landscaped areas:
i. Post-Construction Soil Quality and Depth in accordance with BMP T5.13 in Chapter 5 of
Volume V of the SWMMWW.
Roofs:
i. Full Dispersion in accordance with BMP T5.30 in Chapter 5 of Volume V of the
SWMMWW, or.
i.ii. Downspout Full Infiltration Systems in accordance with BMP T5.10A in Section 3.1.1 of
Volume III V of the SWMMWW.
ii.iii. Rain Gardens in accordance with BMP T5.14A in Chapter 5 of Volume V, or Bioretention in
accordance with Chapter 7BMP T7.30 of Volume V of the SWMMWW. The rain garden or
bioretention facility must have a minimum horizontal projected surface area below the
overflow which is at least 5 percent of the area draining to it.
iii.iv. Downspout Dispersion Systems in accordance with BMP T5.10B in Section 3.1.2 of Volume
III V of the SWMMWW.
v. Detention Vaults or Pipes in accordance with the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum Section
6.3.
iv.vi. Perforated Stub-out Connections in accordance with BMP T5.10C in Section 3.1.3 of Volume
III V of the SWMMWW.
v. Detention vaults or pipes in accordance with the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum. The City
may waive the requirement to install a detention vault if the downstream analysis in Minimum
Requirement #4, or available City data, indicate that peak flow control is not beneficial.
Other Hard Surfaces:
i. Full Dispersion in accordance with BMP T5.30 in Chapter 5 of Volume V of the
SWMMWW.
ii. Full Infiltration for equivalent surfaces areas per BMP T5.10A and/or Permeable Pavement in
accordance with BMP T5.15 in Chapter 5 of Volume V of the SWMMWW, or
ii.iii. Rain Gardens in accordance with BMP T5.14A in Chapter 5 of Volume V, or Bioretention
in accordance with BMP T7.30Chapter 7 of Volume V of the SWMMWW. The rain garden
or bioretention facility must have a minimum horizontal projected surface area below the
overflow which is at least 5 percent of the area draining to it.
iii.iv. Sheet Flow Dispersion in accordance with BMP T5.12, or Concentrated Flow Dispersion in
accordance with BMP T5.11 in Chapter 5 of Volume V of the SWMMWW.
iv.v. Detention Vvaults or Ppipes in accordance with the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum Section
6.3. The City may waive the requirement to install a detention vault if the downstream
analysis in Minimum Requirement #4, or available City data, indicate that peak flow control
is not beneficial.
e. List No.2 for Category 2 project sites: On-site Stormwater Management BMPs for Projects Triggering
Minimum Requirements No. 1 through No. 9.
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For projects that elect to use List No. 2 to comply with ECDC 18.30.060.D.b (iii), for each surface,
consider the BMPs in the order listed for that type of surface. Use the first BMP that is considered
feasible. No other On-site Stormwater Management BMP is necessary for that surface. Feasibility shall
be determined by evaluation against design criteria, limitations, and infeasibility criteria identified for
each BMP in the SWMMWW; and Competing Needs Criteria listed in Chapter 5 3 of Volume V I of
the SWMMWW.
Lawn and landscaped areas:
i. Post-Construction Soil Quality and Depth in accordance with BMP T5.13 in Chapter 5 of
Volume V of the SWMMWW.
Roofs:
i. Full Dispersion in accordance with BMP T5.30 in Chapter 5 of Volume V of the
SWMMWW, or.
i.ii. Downspout Full Infiltration Systems in accordance with BMP T5.10A in Section 3.1.1 of
Volume III V of the SWMMWW.
iii. Bioretention in accordance with BMP T7.30 of Volume V of the SWMMWW. The
bioretention facility must have a minimum horizontal projected surface area below the
overflow which is at least 5 percent of the area draining to it.
ii. Bioretention (See Chapter 7 of Volume V of the SWMMWW) facilities that ha ve a minimum
horizontally projected surface area below the overflow which is at least 5 percent of the total
surface area draining to it.
iii.iv. Downspout Dispersion Systems in accordance with BMP T5.10B in Section 3.1.2 of Volume
III of the SWMMWW.
v. Detention Vaults or Pipes in accordance with the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum Section
6.3.
iv.vi. Perforated Stub-out Connections in accordance with BMP T5.10C in Section 3.1.3 of Volume
III of the SWMMWW.
v. Detention vaults or pipes in accordance with the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum. Note that if
the project is required to construct a flow control facility to comply with Minimum
Requirement No. 7 (per ECDC 18.30.060.D.7), a detention vault is not required to be installed
to meet Minimum Requirement No. 5. In addition, the City may waive the requirement to
install a detention vault if the downstream analysis in Minimum Requirement #4, or available
City data, indicate that peak flow control is not beneficial.
Other Hard Surfaces:
i. Full Dispersion in accordance with BMP T5.30 in Chapter 5 of Volume V of the
SWMMWW.
ii. Full infiltration for equivalent surfaces areas per BMP T5.10A in Volume III of the
SWMMWW and/or Permeable pavement in accordance with BMP T5.15 in Chapter 5 of
Volume V of the SWMMWW.
iii. Bioretention (See Chapter 7 of Volume V of the SWMMWW) facilities that have a minimum
horizontally projected surface area below the overflow which is at least 5 percent of the total
surface area draining to it.
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iv. Sheet Flow Dispersion in accordance with BMP T5.12, or Concentrated Flow Dispersion in
accordance with BMP T5.11 in Chapter 5 of Volume V of the SWMMWW.
v. Detention vaults or pipes in accordance with the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum Section 6.3.
Note that if the project is required to construct a flow control facility to comply with
Minimum Requirement No. 7 (per ECDC 18.30.060.D.7), a detention vault is not required to
be installed to meet Minimum Requirement No. 5. In addition, the City may waive the
requirement to install a detention vault if the downstream analysis in Minimum Requirement
#4, or available City data, indicate that peak flow control is not beneficial.
f. Overflows: All non-dispersion BMPs sized solely for Minimum Requirement No. 5 are anticipated to
have an overflow discharge on a semi-regular basis and therefore requires a sub-surface piped
connection directly to the MS4 system.
i. In order to eliminate a piped overflow connection, the project shall be designed to infiltrate
100 percent of the modeled 100-year storm per continuous modeling. A safe and certain
surface overflow path must still be provided and may not negatively impact adjacent
properties.
ii. In cases where the City MS4 is not in a location where a reasonable connection can be made
for a project incapable of fully infiltrating per ECDC 18.30.060.D.5.f.i above:
• Extensions equal to or less than the length of the project frontage would be anticipated
and generally not considered for an exception to 18.30.060.D.5.f.i.
• Extension exceeding the project frontage length will be considered on a case-by-case
basis for an exception to 18.30.060.D.5.f.i.
7.6. Minimum Requirement No. 6 – Runoff Treatment
a. Project Thresholds: When assessing road-related projects against the following thresholds, only
consider those hard and pervious surfaces that are subject to this minimum requirement per ECDC
18.30.060.C.2. For all other projects, the requirements apply to the new plus replaced hard surfaces
and the converted vegetation areas. The following require construction of stormwater treatment
facilities:
i. Projects in which the total of pollution-generating hard surface (PGHS) is 5,000 square feet or
more in a threshold discharge area of the project, or
ii. Projects in which the total of pollution-generating pervious surfaces (PGPS) – not including
permeable pavements – is 0.75 acres or more in a threshold discharge area, and from which
there will be a surface discharge in a natural or man-made conveyance system from the site.
b. Treatment-Type Thresholds and Facility Sizing:
i. Treatment-Type Thresholds in accordance with Step 2 (Oil Control), Step 4 (Phosphorus
Treatment), Step 5 (Enhanced Treatment), and Step 6 (Basic Treatment) of Chapter 2, Section
2.11.2, Volume V III of the SWMMWW. Phosphorus treatment shall be required for projects
draining to Hall Creek and Lake Ballinger.
ii. Treatment Facility Sizing, including Water Quality Design Storm Volume, Water Quality
Design Flow Rate, and Downstream Facilities, of in accordance with Chapter 23, Section
2.5.63.4.6, Volume I of the SWMMWW.
c. Treatment Facility Selection, Design, and Maintenance
Stormwater treatment facilities shall be:
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i. Selected in accordance with the process identified in Chapter 4 1 of Volume III, and Chapter
2 of Volume V of the SWMMWW,
ii. Designed in accordance with the design criteria in Volume V of the SWMMWW, and
iii. Maintained in accordance with the maintenance schedule in Appendix V-A in Volume V of
the SWMMWW.
d. Additional Requirements
The discharge of untreated stormwater from pollution -generating hard surfaces to ground water
will not be authorized by the City except for infiltration or dispersion of runoff through BMPs
designed and implemented per ECDC 18.30 and the SWMMWW. All associated runoff must be
treated using On-site Stormwater Management BMPs designed to provide the required level of
treatment in accordance with Chapter 5, Volume V and Chapter 7, Volume V of the SWMMWW;
or by infiltration through soils meeting the soil suitability criteria in Chapter 3 of Volume III of the
SWMMWW.
8.7. Minimum Requirement No. 7 – Flow Control
a. Applicability: Flow control is required on projects meeting the thresholds summarized below to reduce
the impacts of stormwater runoff from hard surfaces and land cover conversions.
Flow control in accordance with Minimum Requirement No. 7 is not required for projects that
discharge directly to, or indirectly through the City’s MS4 to Puget Sound subject to the restrictions of
the TDA Exemption (aka. direct discharge exemption) per SWMMWW Section 3.4.7 of Volume I
(other minimum requirements may still apply). See ECDC 18.30.060.D.5.b.iv and Section 2.53.4.7 of
Volume I of the SWMMWW for additional restrictions applicable to direct discharges to Puget Sound.
If the discharge drains to a stream that leads to a wetland, or to a wetland that has an outflow to a
stream, both this minimum requirement (Minimum Requirement No. 7) and Minimum Requirement
No. 8 apply.
a.b. Thresholds: When assessing road-related projects against the following thresholds, only consider only
those impervious, hard, and pervious surfaces that are subject to this minimum requirement per ECDC
18.30.060.C.2. For all other projects, the requirements apply to the new plus replaced hard surfaces
and the converted vegetation areas. The following circumstances require achievement of the standard
flow control requirement for western Washington:
i. Projects in which the total of effective impervious surfaces is 10,000 square feet or more in a
threshold discharge area, or
ii. Projects that convert 0.75 acres or more of vegetation to lawn or landscape, or convert 2.5
acres or more of native vegetation to pasture in a threshold discharge area, and from which
there is a surface discharge in a natural or man -made conveyance system from the site, or
iii. Projects that through a combination of hard surfaces and converted vegetation areas cause a
0.150.10 cubic feet per second (cfs) increase or greater in the 100-year flow frequency from a
threshold discharge area as estimated using the Western Washington Hydrology Model or
other approved model and one-hour time steps (or a 0.15 cfs increase or greater using a 15-
minute time steps).
b.c. Standard Flow Control Requirement (applies to discharges directly or indirectly to the City’s MS4 ,
except for projects that meet the direct discharge requirements outlined in “a” above and/or projects
discharging to Perrinville Creek): Stormwater discharges shall match developed discharge durations to
pre-developed durations for the range of pre-developed discharge rates from 50 percent of the 2-year
peak flow up to the full 50-year peak flow. The pre-developed condition to be matched shall be a
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forested land cover unless reasonable, historic information is available that indicates the site was
prairie prior to settlement (modeled as “pasture” in the Western Washington Hydrology Model ). This
standard requirement is waived for sites that will reliably infiltrate all the runoff from hard surf aces
and converted vegetation areas.
d. Perrinville Creek Basin Flow Control Standard (applies to all discharges within the Perrinville Creek
Basin) shall be an elevated level of flow control design. Discharges to the Perrinville Creek Basin shall
maintain the durations of high flows at their predevelopment levels for all flows greater than one -half
of the 2-year flow up to the 50-year flow AND holding the 100-year peak flow rate at its
predevelopment level. The predevelopment peak flow rates for the 2-year and 10-year runoff events
are also intended to be maintained.
c.e. Additional Requirement: Flow Control BMPs shall be selected, designed, and maintained in
accordance with Volume III and Volume V of the SWMMWW or an approved equivalent.
9.8. Minimum Requirement No. 8 – Wetlands Protection
a. Applicability: The requirements below apply only to projects whose stormwater discharges into a
wetland, either directly or indirectly through a conveyance system.
b. Thresholds: The thresholds identified in Minimum Requirement No. 6 – Runoff Treatment, and
Minimum Requirement No. 7 – Flow Control shall also be applied to determine the applicability of
this requirement to discharges to wetlands.
c. Standard Requirement: Projects shall comply with Guide Sheets No. 1 through No. 3 in Appendix I-
CD of the SWMMWW. The hydrologic analysis shall use the existing land cover condition to
determine the existing hydrologic conditions unless directed otherwise by a regulatory agency with
jurisdiction.
d. Additional Requirements: Stormwater treatment and flow control facilities shall not be built within a
natural vegetated buffer, except for:
i. Necessary conveyance systems as approved by the City; or
ii. As allowed in wetlands approved for hydrologic modification or treatment in accordance with
Guide Sheet 2 in Appendix I-CD of the SWMMWW.
An adopted and implemented basin plan prepared in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of
Appendix 1 of the Phase II NPDES Municipal Stormwater Permit.
10.9. Minimum Requirement No. 9 – Operation and Maintenance
An operation and maintenance manual that is consistent with the provisions in Volume I and Volume V of
the SWMMWW is required for proposed Stormwater Treatment and Flow Control BMPs/facilities. The
party (or parties) responsible for maintenance and operation shall be identified in the operation and
maintenance manual. For private facilities approved by the City, a copy of the operation and maintenance
manual shall be retained on-site or within reasonable access to the site, and shall be transferred with the
property to the new owner. For public facilities, a copy of the operation and maintenance manual shall be
retained in the appropriate department. A log of maintenance activity that indicates what actions were taken
shall be kept and be available for inspection.
18.30.070 Exceptions, Adjustments, and Appeals.
A. Exceptions.
1. The Director may approve a request for an exception to the minimum requirements of this chapter
following legal public notice of an application for an exception and of the Director’s decision on the
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application. All legal public notice related to this request for an e xception shall be in the manner prescribed
in ECDC 20.03.002 and the applicant shall pay all costs to publish the legal public notices required by this
provision. The Director shall provide and keep written findings of fact of the decision.
2. The approval of the exception shall only be granted when the applicant demonstrates that the requirement
would cause a severe and unexpected economic hardship. To determine whether the requirement imposes a
severe and unexpected economic hardship on the project applicant, the applicant must document for City
review and approval, all of the following, at a minimum:
a. The current, pre-project use of the site; and
b. How application of the requirement(s) for which an exception is being requested restricts the proposed
use of the site compared to the restrictions that existed prior to adoption of this chapter; and
c. The possible remaining uses of the site if the exception were not granted; and
d. The possible uses of the site that would have been allowed prior to the adoption of this c hapter; and
e. A comparison of the estimated amount and percentage of value loss as a result of the requirements
versus the estimated amount and percentage of value loss as a result of requirements that existed prior
to adoption of the requirements of this ch apter; and
f. The feasibility of the applicant to alter the project to apply the requirements of this chapter.
3. Any exception must meet the following criteria:
a. The exception will not increase risk to the public health and welfare, nor be injurious to other
properties in the vicinity and/or downstream, and to the quality of waters of the state; and
b. The exception is the least possible exception that could be granted to comply with the intent of the
minimum requirements.
4. An exception to the requirements shall only be granted to the extent necessary to provide relief from the
economic hardship as determined by the Director, to alleviate the harm or threat of harm to the degree that
compliance with the requirement becomes technically feasible, or to perform the emerg ency work that the
Director determines is warranted.
5. The Director may require an applicant to provide additional information at the applicant’s expense,
including (but not limited to) an engineer’s report or analysis.
6. When an exception is granted, the Director may impose new or additional requirements to offset or mitigate
harm or the threat of harm that may be caused by granting the exception, or that would have been
prevented if the exception had not been granted.
B. Adjustments.
1. The Director may approve a request for adjustments to the requirements of this chapter whe n the Director
finds that:
a. The adjustment provides substantially equivalent environmental protection; and
b. The objectives of safety, function, environmental protection, and facility maintenance are met, based
on sound engineering practices.
2. During construction, the Director may require, or the applicant may request, that the construction of
drainage control facilities and associated project designs be adjusted if physical conditions are discovered
on the site that are inconsistent with the assumptions on which the approval was based, including (but not
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limited to) unexpected soil or water conditions, weather-generated problems, or changes in the design of
the improved areas; and
3. A request by the applicant for an adjustment shall be submitted to the Director for review and approval
prior to implementation. The request shall be in writing and shall provide facts substantiating the
requirements of subsection (C)(1) of this section, and if made during construction, the factors in subsection
(C)(2) of this section. Any such modifications made during the construction of drainage control facilities
shall be included with the final approved drainage control plan.
C. Appeal.
1. The Director’s decision on an application for an exception or adjustment may appeal to the heari ng
examiner in accordance with a Type II appeal process in ECDC Chapter 20.06.
2. The applicant shall carry the burden of proof.
3. The decision of the hearing examiner is appealable to superior court in accordance with Chapter 36.70C
RCW. [Ord. 3792 § 1, 2010].
18.30.080 Access and Covenants.
A. Access. Proper ingress and egress shall be provided to the City to inspect or perform any duty imposed upon the
City by this Title. The City shall notify the responsible party in writing of a failure to provide access. If the
responsible party fails to respond within seven days from the receipt of notification, the City may order the work
required to be completed or otherwise address the cause of improper access. The obligation for the payment of all
cost that may be incurred or expended by the City in c ausing such work to be done shall be imposed on the person
holding title to the subject property.
B. Covenants. Maintenance covenants shall be required for each site/lot that will be maintained by a private entity
such as an individual, corporation, or homeowner’s association. The maintenance covenant shall address or append
requirements and responsibilities for long-term management and maintenance the applicable BMP(s). Maintenance
covenants shall be as specified in City Engineering Division documents or a pproved by the Director, and recorded
with Snohomish County and on all proper deeds [Ord. 3792 § 1, 2010].
18.30.090 Post Construction Inspection and Maintenance Roles and Responsibilities.
Proper construction inspection and maintenance of stormwater facilities and operational and structural source
control BMPs at businesses/sites is essential for the protection of the City’s MS4 and the environment.
A. Stormwater Maintenance and Inspection Standards. Stormwater facilities shall be inspected and maintained per
the requirements of Volume I and Volume V of the SWMMWW. For systems which do not have a maintenance
standard, the owner shall develop a standard based on guidelines from the manufactur er, designer, or a registered
professional engineer and submit the standards to the Director for approval. The purpose of the maintenance
standard is to determine if maintenance is required. The maintenance standard is not a measure of the facility’s
required condition at all times between inspections. Exceeding the maintenance standard between inspections is not
a violation of this chapter. Operational and structural source control BMPs shall be inspected per the requirements of
Volume IV of the SWMMWW.
B. Ownership. Stormwater facilities are either privately or publicly owned and maintained. All stormwater facilities
that serve private property are private, unless an agreement between the property owner and the City states
otherwise. Stormwater facilities that are privately owned by a homeowner’s association or similar organization also
are private. The City may offer an incentive program to owners to support the proper maintenance of private
stormwater drainage facilities.
C. Public Stormwater Facilities. The City shall be responsible for operating, maintaining, repairing, and replacing
public stormwater facilities as funded through the Stormwater Utility.
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D. Maintenance and Inspection of Permanent Stormwater Facilities. All privately owned stormwater drainage
facilities or controls shall be maintained by the owner, or the homeowner or owner association (“owner”) if one is
established as part of a residential or commercial development. All private storm drainage facilities shall be
regularly inspected to ensure proper operation and shall monitor the facility or control as required or as set forth in
the SWMMWW. The Owner shall maintain records of inspection and maintenance, disposal receipts, and
monitoring results. The records shall catalog the action taken, the person who took it, the date said action was taken,
how it was done, and any problems encountered or follow -up actions required. The records shall be made available
to the City upon request. The Owner shall maintain a copy of the Stormwater Operations and Maintenance Manual
(if required) on site, and shall make reference to such document in real property records filed with Snohomish
County, so others who acquire real property served by the privately owned storm water drainage facilities or controls
are notified of their obligation to maintain such facilities or controls.
E. City Inspection of pPrivate sStormwater fFacilities. The City shall have the authority to periodically inspect
private stormwater facilities, including LIDlow impact development stormwater facilities, for compliance with this
chapter.
F. City Inspection of Existing Businesses/Sites. The City shall have the authority to periodically inspect private
businesses and sites for compliance with Minimum Requirement No. 3 – Source Control of Pollution (ECDC
18.30.060.D.3).
GF. Right of Entry. An authorized representative of the City may enter private property at all reasonable times to
conduct inspections, tests or to carry out other duties imposed by the a state or Federal program provided that the
City makes a good faith effort to notify the property owner or person responsible for the premises prior to entering
and presents proper credentials to that person. If entry is refus ed or cannot be obtained, the Director shall have
recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry, including but not limited to, obtaining an administrative
warrant for entry.
HG. Right of Entry for Illicit Discharge. In the event of an illicit discharge from a privately -owned stormwater
facility caused by improper maintenance or operation or other circumstance, the provisions of ECC 7.200 shall
apply.
IH. Maintenance Responsibilities. Upon written notice by the City, a private stormwater facility shall be promptly
repaired and/or brought up to applicable standards by the property owner or the person responsible for said facility.
If a private stormwater facility serves multiple lots and the responsibility for maintenance has not been specified on
a recorded subdivision plat, short plat, or other legal document, maintenance, operation and repair responsibility
shall rest with the homeowners’ association, if one exists, or otherwise with the properties served by the facility, or
finally, with the owners of the property on which the facilities are located. Operational and structural source control
BMPs are also required to be repaired and/or brought up to applicable stan dards by the property owner or the person
responsible for the business/site.
JI. Disposal of Waste from Maintenance Activities. Disposal of waste from maintenance activities shall be
conducted in accordance with the minimum Functional Standards for Solid Waste Handling , Chapter 173-304
WAC, guidelines for disposal of waste materials from storm water maintenance activities, and where appropriate,
the Dangerous Waste Regulations, Chapter 173-303 WAC.
18.30.100 Enforcement Procedures.
A. General enforcement action shall be in accordance with this chapter whenever a person has violated any
provision of this chapter. The choice of enforcement action is at the discretion of the City. A progressive approach is
typically implemented to assist businesses and other entities, persons, and residents in achieving and maintaining
compliance with this chapter. This approach emphasizes outreach, education , and technical assistance before taking
further enforcement actions or assessment penalties, unless a flagrant, serious, or purposeful violation has occurred.
B. Civil Penalties Adopted. ECDC Chapter 20.110 enforcement procedures are herein adopted in full, as modified in
this chapter, with the proviso that repeat offenders or violations deemed an i mmediate public hazard shall be subject
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to compliance and appeal timelines as deemed appropriate by the Director based on the specific nature of the
violation.
C. Maintenance Orders. The Director shall have the authority to issue to an owner or person an order to maintain or
repair a component of a stormwater facility or BMP to bring it into compliance with this chapter, the SWMMWW,
the Edmonds Stormwater Addendum, and the Edmonds Community Development Code. The order shall include:
1. A description of the specific nature, extent and time of the violation and the damage or potential damage
that reasonably might occur;
2. A notice that the violation or the potential violation cease and desist and, in appropriate cases, the specific
corrective actions to be taken; and
3. A reasonable time to comply, depending on the circumstances.
D. Civil Penalty. A person who fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter, who fails to conform to an
approval or order issued, who undertakes development without first obtaining approval, or who fails to comply with
a stop work order issued under these regulations shall be subject to a civil penalty levied in accordance with the
provisions of ECDC Chapter 20.110; provided, however, that the appeal process shall commence with a no tice of
violation as provided in ECDC 20.110.040.B.
1. Civil penalties for code violations shall be imposed in accordance with the provisions of ECDC Chapter
20.110; provided, however, that in addition to the penalties set forth in that chapter, the hearing e xaminer
is authorized to levy a penalty of up to twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) per occurrence based upon an
assessment of the following factors. Where such factors are present, the hearing examiner is authorized to
levy such penalty after taking into consideration the full impact of the violation and any mitigating
circumstances (see subsection (2) below):
a. The violation created a risk to public health and the significance of the risk.
b. The violation damaged the environment and the significance of the dam age.
c. The violation caused damage to public and private property and the significance of such damage.
d. A history of similar violations, if any.
e. The economic benefit of the violations, if any, to the person or entity responsible for the violations.
2. Mitigating circumstances which may be used to offset or reduce the time resulting from the application of
the preceding factors are limited to:
a. Full compliance with a voluntary compliance agreement and no history of similar violations.
b. Full compliance with a voluntary compliance agreement and a history of one or two similar violations
(lesser reduction).
c. A “voluntary compliance agreement” is defined as a legally binding agreement entered into between
the City and the alleged violators, by which the violator(s) acknowledge the existence of the violation,
waive all appeal rights, and agree to and do pay a fine in an amount stipulated to between the violator
and the City.
3. If the violation(s) are not corrected as ordered, or a voluntary compliance agreement is n ot entered into
within that time period and no appeal is filed, the penalty for the next 15 -day period shall be 150 percent of
the initial penalties, and the penalties for the next 15-day period shall be 200 percent of the initial penalties.
The intent of this subsection is to increase penalties beyond the maximum penalties stated as an additional
means to achieve timely compliance.
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4. Unless otherwise provided in a voluntary compliance agreement, civil penalties shall be paid within 30
days of service of the notice and order or stop work order if not appealed. Payment of the civil penalties
assessed under this chapter does not relieve a person found to be responsible for a code violation of his or
her duty to correct the violation or to pay any and all civil p enalties or other cost assessments issued
pursuant to this chapter.
5. The City may suspend immediate payment of civil penalties if the person responsible for a code violation
has entered into a voluntary compliance agreement. Penalties shall begin to accrue again pursuant to the
terms of the voluntary compliance agreement if any necessary permits applied for are denied, canceled or
not pursued, if corrective action identified in the voluntary compliance agreement is not completed as
specified, or if the property is allowed to return to a condition similar to that condition which gave rise to
the voluntary compliance agreement; provided, however, that additional penalties shall not be imposed
until additional notice and opportunity for hearing have been provide d in accordance with ECDC Chapter
20.110.
6. Civil penalties assessed create joint and several personal obligations in all persons responsible for a code
violation.
E. The determination of the hearing examiner issued in accordance with ECDC Chapter 20.110 shall be appealable
to the Snohomish County superior court in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 36.70C RCW.
F. The remedies provided for in this section shall not be exclusive. The City may also use other civil and
administrative remedies available to it, including but not limited to the remedies provided in ECDC Title 19 and the
state building and dangerous buildings codes.