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Stormwater Development Review
Email us for general inquiries regarding Stormwater Development Review, questions regarding BMP maintenance, or to obtain appropriate staff to answer more specific questions.
The Stormwater Development Review section is tasked with reviewing zoning, site plans, stormwater impact analyses, preliminary plats, construction drawings, engineering calculations, and final plats to ensure proposed development is in compliance with the city ordinances which regulate stormwater quality and quantity, stormwater best management practices, stream buffers, floodplain analysis, etc. The section also ensures post-development stormwater compliance through annual BMP maintenance certifications, inspections, and enforcement.
Basis for Stormwater Management Program
Non-point sources of water pollution, such as runoff from development, streets, and parking lots can contribute significantly to water quality problems. State and federal laws require that Durham develop, adopt, and enforce comprehensive stormwater management programs. Durham's Stormwater Management Program includes reviewing proposed new development plans, ensuring the development is consistent with the approved plans, managing stormwater infrastructure and implementing water quality programs.
Stormwater Impact Analysis (SIA)
Developers are required to prepare a stormwater impact analysis for each new development. If the proposed development results in an increase in the rate of stormwater runoff from the pre-developed site for the 1-year storm or in excess of 10% from the 2-year and/or 10-year storms, then on-site stormwater facilities for quantity control may be required. Refer to the Reference Guide for Development (PDF) for these requirements.
Nutrient Management
The Neuse River Nutrient Sensitive Waters Strategy, Jordan Water Supply Nutrient Strategy, and Falls Water Supply Nutrient Strategy are the state's comprehensive approach for reducing pollutants and nutrients in Durham’s 3 regulatory basins (Lower Neuse, Jordan, and Falls Basins). These strategies established goals of reducing nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the basins in order to offset the potential for eutrophication. In order to achieve this goal, new developments throughout the basins are required to control stormwater runoff in order to reduce the nitrogen and phosphorus that they contribute to the basins’ watershed.
Development in the "100 Year Floodplain" (floodplain) is regulated through federal requirements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the City/County Flood Damage Protection Ordinance and Natural Resource Protection Standards. Building requirements, land use provisions, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and other enforcement applications are key elements to these rules.
Criteria & Stormwater Performance Standards for Development
The Stormwater Development Review section is tasked with reviewing zoning, site plans, stormwater impact analyses, preliminary plats, construction drawings, engineering calculations, and final plats to ensure proposed development is in compliance with the city ordinances which regulate stormwater quality and quantity, stormwater best management practices, stream buffers, floodplain analysis, etc. The section also ensures post-development stormwater compliance through annual BMP maintenance certifications, inspections, and enforcement.
Basis for Stormwater Management Program
Non-point sources of water pollution, such as runoff from development, streets, and parking lots can contribute significantly to water quality problems. State and federal laws require that Durham develop, adopt, and enforce comprehensive stormwater management programs. Durham's Stormwater Management Program includes reviewing proposed new development plans, ensuring the development is consistent with the approved plans, managing stormwater infrastructure and implementing water quality programs.
Stormwater Impact Analysis (SIA)
Developers are required to prepare a stormwater impact analysis for each new development. If the proposed development results in an increase in the rate of stormwater runoff from the pre-developed site for the 1-year storm or in excess of 10% from the 2-year and/or 10-year storms, then on-site stormwater facilities for quantity control may be required. Refer to the Reference Guide for Development (PDF) for these requirements.
Nutrient Management
The Neuse River Nutrient Sensitive Waters Strategy, Jordan Water Supply Nutrient Strategy, and Falls Water Supply Nutrient Strategy are the state's comprehensive approach for reducing pollutants and nutrients in Durham’s 3 regulatory basins (Lower Neuse, Jordan, and Falls Basins). These strategies established goals of reducing nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the basins in order to offset the potential for eutrophication. In order to achieve this goal, new developments throughout the basins are required to control stormwater runoff in order to reduce the nitrogen and phosphorus that they contribute to the basins’ watershed.
- Area of Concern (AoC) Worksheet for use with Falls/Jordan Stormwater Accounting Tool (XLS)
- Nutrient Reporting Form (XLS)
- Jordan/Falls Lake Stormwater Nutrient Load Accounting Tool
Development in the "100 Year Floodplain" (floodplain) is regulated through federal requirements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the City/County Flood Damage Protection Ordinance and Natural Resource Protection Standards. Building requirements, land use provisions, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and other enforcement applications are key elements to these rules.
Criteria & Stormwater Performance Standards for Development
- City of Durham Addendum to the North Carolina DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual (PDF)
- Drainage criteria is included in the current Reference Guide for Development (PDF)
- Stormwater Performance Standards for Development is found in the code of ordinances
- Watershed Protection Overlay Standards are found in Section 8.7 of the Unified Development Ordinance (PDF)