Updating Stormwater Regulations - Timeline
Timeline
Initiation: August 1, 2019: The Department of Ecology reissued the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase I Municipal permit (Ecology Permit)
Phase 1 - Equivalency Items and Ecology review:
- Address items related to Ecology Permit equivalency (e.g., add source control BMPs, update construction stormwater elements, etc.)
- Public comment period #1: April 1 through March 16, 2020
- Draft Stormwater Code and Manual submittal to Ecology: July 1, 2020
- Ecology review of Draft Stormwater Code and Manual: July - November 2020 (up to 120 days)
- We held 2 online public meetings: April 26 and May 6, 2020. If you missed them, watch our recording of the April 26 meeting and take a look at the PowerPoint!
Phase 2 - Non-Equivalency Items and SEPA
- Address items that are not related to Ecology Permit equivalency (e.g., stormwater/combined sewer mainline extensions, combined sewer flow control standard/threshold, etc.)
- SEPA process
- Published a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) Public Notice. We are accepting public comments between December 10, 2020 through December 24, 2020. See the Project Documents page for the SEPA Checklist and SEPA DNS.
- Public comment period #2:
- November 2 through November 20, 2020: The revised draft Stormwater Code, Volume 1 of the Manual, and Appendix B (Additional Submittal Requirements) will be posted for public review.
- Public comment period #3
- January 11 through February 19, 2021: The full revised draft of the Stormwater Manual (all Volumes and Appendices) will be posted for public review.
- Public meetings: Fall / Winter 2020/2021 after we receive Ecology comments on the Draft Stormwater Code and Manual
- November 12, 2020 (Completed): This meeting focused on changes to the Stormwater Code, Volume 1 of the Stormwater Manual, and Appendix B (Additional Submittal Requirements), and Appendix I (Landscape Management Plan and Integrated Pest Management). If you missed this meeting, watch the recording and take a look at the PowerPoint. Please note: the graphs of the Peak Flow Control Standard changes on pages 37 and 38 were incorrect in the meeting presentation and are corrected in the files posted here.
- January 28, 2021 (Completed): This meeting, associated with Public Review Period #3, focused on changes to the full revised draft of the Stormwater Manual (all volumes and appendices) since the spring 2020 public review period. In addition, it covered associated changes to the Grading Code and introduced the new SPU public drainage system Director's Rule. If you missed this meeting, watch our recording and take a look at the PowerPoint. (Note: the PowerPoint presentation also includes topics covered in November. Also, the following is an important clarification about the recording.)
Important Note: during the public meeting, you asked if the information on a SDCI preliminary assessment report would "vest" a project based on the information provided (e.g. approved point of discharge, flow control requirements, etc.). We would like to clarify that preliminary assessment reports or preliminary applications do not vest any projects to a certain code or director's rule. SDCI permit applications will not be vested to the 2016 Stormwater Code and associated rules unless there is a complete permit application (i.e. the full permit submittal is screened, accepted, and fees paid) prior to July 1, 2021.
Phase 3 - Legislative and Rule Making Process and Adoption
- March 23 to April 9, 2021: Director's Rules (2021 Seattle Stormwater Manual and New SPU Public Drainage System) Public Notice of Rulemaking comment period.
- May 2021: City Council review of the Stormwater Code Ordinance
- May 5, 2021: City Council Transportation & Utilities Committee presentation and vote for approval of the Stormwater Code Ordinance
- May 17, 2021: Full City Council consideration of the Stormwater Code Ordinance
Effective Date: Our updated Stormwater Code and related Director's Rules are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2021