(a) It shall be unlawful for any person or organization to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, relocate or demolish a storm sewer, natural watercourse or other stormwater facility, without first filing an application and obtaining a proper permit from the city. Permits for minor repairs, as defined in the rules and regulations, shall not be required.
(b) (1) Permits are required and may be granted by the city for the following improvement categories:
A. Connection into the public stormwater system, except unimproved creeks or streams;
B. Improvements that are or will become public facilities;
C. Improvements within dedicated but unimproved street rights-of-way; and
D. Improvements that require retention or detention facilities; private or public.
(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, permits issued under this subsection (b) shall not be required in instances where the city’s approval of the proposed storm sewer improvements are obtained by an owner as part of the city’s subdivision approval process.
(c) Plans for all improvements made within the city that require stormwater facilities or changes or alterations to existing stormwater facilities must be submitted to the City Manager or his or her designee for review and approval of plans through the stormwater permit process. All improvements must conform to the provisions of this chapter or rules or regulations promulgated hereunder and the master plan. The City Manager, or his or her designee shall have a maximum of 30 days after the date of application to review each plan submitted. Plans that are not approved may be resubmitted after revisions or correction actions are made. No permit shall be issued until a plan is approved.
(d) Every improvement shall be provided with a stormwater system capable of handling stormwaters flowing onto the improvement site from other areas as well as stormwater from the site itself. The drainage system shall be designed to discharge into a watercourse, drainage channel, or other existing stormwater facility. These designs shall conform to the guidelines listed below and the specifications prescribed in the rules and regulations.
(e) For developed lots and where new structures, additions, or changes are to be made, adequate surface grading shall be extended or runoff shall be collected in inlets and then connected to sewers or drains. This grading, and the drains where necessary, shall be shown on the stormwater permit plan. The City Manager or his or her designee shall then review the plan.
(f) Where plans are being developed, all areas shall be graded and drained to prevent the standing of stormwater, except lakes, lagoons, or retention reservoirs approved by the city. Where necessary, drainage channels or sewers shall be provided to convey the water to an existing watercourse or outlet. The method and means of drainage, including the handling of both paved and unpaved areas, shall be subject to approval by the City Manager or his or her designee.
(g) Facilities shall be provided to drain all street intersections, and to care for roof downspouts and drains from yards and driveway aprons. Where foundation drains are installed, the foundation drains must discharge to the surface water drainage system directly or through a sump pump installation.
(h) The stormwater drainage system shall not be combined with any part of the sanitary sewer system, nor shall sanitary wastewater be discharged thereto.
(i) Connection into a storm sewer shall be performed only by contractors who meet the following requirements: they have posted a bond with the city in the amount required by law, which amount shall not exceed the amounts required by the city for work done in any right-of-way.
(Ord. 04-39, passed 9-23-2004)