Snohomish County Council unanimously adopts ordinance renewing stormwater inspection rules

On March 26, 2025, the Snohomish County Council unanimously approved Ordinance 25-013 to reenact and amend Chapter 7.54 of the Snohomish County Code, which governs inspection and maintenance of privately owned stormwater control facilities. The measure passed on a 4-0 roll call vote with no public testimony.

Council staff member Ryan Hebrew told the council the chapter is designed to keep the county in compliance with federal permit requirements. "This chapter is important for ensuring the county's compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, NPDES, phase 1 permit as outlined under special condition s 5 dot c dot 10.b.i.," Hebrew said. He said Chapter 7.54 was initially enacted on 04/02/2013 and was amended in 2019 and 2021.

Hebrew also told the council the code is set to automatically expire on April 20 unless reenacted and that "the adoption of this ordinance is categorically exempt from SEPA requirements." County staff from DCNR were online and available for questions, Hebrew said. The council did not receive any in-person or remote public testimony before taking the vote.

A motion "to approve ordinance 25-013" was made and seconded; the roll call vote recorded Vice Chair Dunne, Council Member Mead, Council Member Lowe and Chair Lering voting yes. The ordinance was recorded as passing 4 to 0. After the vote the council adjourned.

The ordinance reenacts and amends county code provisions that require inspection, maintenance and enforcement of privately owned stormwater facilities that discharge into the county municipal stormwater system. Council discussion at the March 26 meeting focused on the staff report and regulatory compliance; no amendments or additional conditions were recorded in the transcript.

The council listed one action item on the agenda for the meeting and concluded after the vote.