General Post Construction Requirements

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Stormwater Program is an effort to preserve, protect and improve the nation’s water resources from polluted runoff. The program requires Burlington and other municipalities to obtain a federal stormwater permit. The City of Burlington’s permit was issued July 1, 2005.   A requirement of the Burlington permit was the adoption of a post construction stormwater ordinance. The ordinance follows the NC Division of Water Resource's Stormwater Model Ordinance and Stormwater Design Manual.  It was adopted by the Burlington City Council  on June 19, 2007 and became effective July 1, 2007.  

All new development and redevelopment of one acre or more must apply for a Stormwater Permit.  This requirement also applies to any addition or expansion of a larger common plan of development which "cumulatively" (existing and proposed) will have a disturbance footprint of one acre or more.   A stormwater permit fee of $420 was established by City Council on August 7, 2007.  At the February 5, 2008 City Council Meeting this fee was increased to $505.00, effective March 1, 2008.

In addition, the City of Burlington is subject to the Jordan Lake Rules.  The Burlington City Council adopted a Riparian Buffer Protection Ordinance that follows the NC Division of Water Quality's Riparian Buffer Protection Model Ordinance on November 16, 2010.  The ordinance requires new development to provide a 50' riparian buffer (30' undisturbed and 20' managed) along mapped surface waters, including intermittent streams, perennial stream, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds.  

Specific standards and requirements may be found through the following links: