Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has issued an NPDES permit to the City of Baltimore to control storm drain system pollutant discharges. The permit is designed to comply with EPA regulations and to control stormwater pollutant discharges from the City’s storm drain system. Under the conditions of the permit, the City of Baltimore is required to possess the legal authority to control storm drain system pollutants, continue mapping its storm sewer system, monitor stormwater discharges, and develop and implement comprehensive management programs. The permit also sets stormwater management requirements for property owners, increases impervious area treatment goals, and requires implementation of environmental site design (ESD) for new and redevelopment projects to the maximum extent practicable. Penalties for failure to comply with the terms of the permit are provided in the article, and Baltimore County Department of Public Works (DPW) enforces the provisions of this article.
The Stormwater Management Law, passed in 1982, required appropriate best management practices (BMPs) in order to maintain after development, as nearly as possible, the pre-development runoff conditions. Over the years, the program has undergone significant revisions and enhancements, the most recent being the Stormwater Management Act of 2007 (Act). In addition to other innovative provisions included in a 2000 revision to the State’s stormwater program, this legislation required environmental site design (ESD) to the maximum extent practicable (MEP) on all new development and redevelopment projects.
COMAR 26.17.02
City of Baltimore Stormwater Ordinance is adopted in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.17.02.
The goal of the City of Baltimore’s stormwater ordinance is to:
Scope- This title applies to development or redevelopment of land for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, or governmental use.
(a) In general. Unless an exemption, waiver, or variance has been granted and except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, before any grading or building permit is issued or any grading or building is conducted, the applicant shall comply with the requirements for the concept, development, and final stormwater management plans.
(b) Concept stormwater management plan. An applicant shall submit a concept stormwater management plan that provides sufficient information for an initial assessment of the proposed project and determination as to whether stormwater management can be provided in accordance with§ 33-4-106.l of this title.
Upon completion and acceptance of the stormwater management devices, practices, or both:
(1988 Code,§ 14-159) (Bill No. 53-01, § 1, 7-2-2001; Bill No. 94-02, § 2, 7-1-2004)
(1988 Code,§ 14-160) (Bill No. 53-01, § 1, 7-2-2001; Bill No. 94-02, § 2, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 75-03, § 45, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 84-08, § 1, 8-15-2008; Bill No. 25-10, § 1, 6-1-2010)
A. The Department shall ensure that preventative maintenance is performed by inspecting all stormwater management systems. Inspection shall occur during the first year of operation and at least once every 3 years thereafter. In addition, a maintenance agreement between the owner and the approving agency shall be executed for privately owned stormwater management systems. The maintenance agreement is provided in Attachment G.
B. After notification is provided to the owner of any deficiencies discovered from an inspection of a stormwater management system, the owner shall have 30 days or other time frame mutually agreed to between the approving agency and the owner, to correct the deficiencies. The Department shall then conduct a subsequent inspection to ensure completion of the repairs.
C. If repairs are not undertaken or are not found to be done properly, then enforcement procedures described in Section 2.12.1 shall be followed by the Department.
D. If, after an inspection by the Department, the condition of a stormwater management facility presents an immediate danger to the public health or safety, because of an unsafe condition or improper maintenance, the Department shall take such action as may be necessary to protect the public and make the facility safe. Any cost incurred by the Municipality shall be assessed against the owner(s), as provided in Section 2.15.
Prior to the issuance of any building permit for which stormwater management is required, the Department shall require the applicant or owner to execute an inspection and maintenance agreement binding on all subsequent owners of land served by a private stormwater management facility. Such agreement shall provide for access to the facility at reasonable times for regular inspections by the Department, or its authorized representative to ensure that the facility is maintained in proper working condition to meet design standards. The agreement shall be recorded by the applicant and/or owner in the land records of Baltimore City. (Maintenance Agreement Below)
The agreement shall also provide that, if after written notice by the Department to correct any nonconformance with an approved plan, satisfactory corrections are not made by the owner(s) within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 30 days, unless extended for good cause shown, the Department, or its designee, may perform all necessary work to place the facility in proper working condition. The owner(s) of the facility shall be assessed the cost of the work and any penalties. This may be accomplished by revoking the maintenance bond or placing a lien on the property, which may be placed on the tax bill and collected as ordinary taxes by the Department of Finance.
The owner of the property on which work has been done pursuant to this Ordinance for private stormwater management facilities, or any other person or agent in control of such property, shall maintain in good condition and promptly repair and restore all grade surfaces, walls, drains, dams and structures, vegetation, erosion and sediment control measures, and other protective devices. Such repairs or restoration and maintenance shall be in accordance with approved plans.
A maintenance schedule shall be developed for the life of any stormwater management facility and shall state the maintenance to be completed, the time period for completion, and who shall perform the maintenance. This maintenance schedule shall be printed on the approved stormwater management plan.
Single-family properties are charged one of three rates:
• Tier 1 properties have no more than 820 square feet of impervious surface area, and pay $52 per year ($4.33 each month)
• Tier 2 properties have more than 820 square feet but no more than 1,500 square feet of impervious surface area, and pay $78 per year ($6.50 each month).
• Tier 3 properties have more than 1,500 square feet of impervious surface area, and pay $156 per year ($13 each month).
Non-single family properties are billed based on a measure called an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU), which is the size of the impervious surface area (1,050 square feet) of the median-sized house in the City. The larger the impervious surface area of a parcel, the higher the stormwater fee for the property. Non-single family properties pay $78 per ERU per year.
Credits and Fee Reductions
An industrial, commercial or institutional property’s fee may be reduced upon installation of County-approved stormwater best-management practices (BMPs) to reduce the property’s pollutant load. This credit is based on the amount of impervious surface that drains to the BMP and its efficiency at removing pollutants.
If your property includes County-approved stormwater management facilities, the appropriate credits have already been applied to your fee. If you believe you are entitled to additional credit, contact the Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability with supporting documentation, such as design plans prepared by a qualified professional.