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Snohomish County schedules public hearing on stormwater inspection and maintenance ordinance
Summary
The Snohomish County Council voted unanimously March 11 to set a public hearing for Ordinance 25-013, which would reenact and amend chapter 7.54 of the Snohomish County Code to continue requirements for inspection and maintenance of privately owned stormwater facilities and remove a sunset provision tied to the county's NPDES permit compliance.
Snohomish County Council members voted unanimously March 11 to set a public hearing for Ordinance 25-013, which would reenact and amend chapter 7.54 of the Snohomish County Code governing inspection and maintenance of constructed, privately owned stormwater control facilities. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.
Council staff described the ordinance as necessary to keep the county in compliance with federal and state stormwater permitting. "This chapter is important for ensuring the county's compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, also known as the NPDES Phase 1 permit," said Ryan Himbre, council staff. Himbre told the council the chapter is otherwise set to lapse on April 20, 2025, unless reenacted.
The ordinance would reenact requirements in Snohomish County Code chapter 7.54 that require regular inspection, maintenance and enforcement of privately owned stormwater facilities that connect to the county's municipal storm sewer system. The stated objectives, as summarized by staff, are to preserve the facilities' intended function, reduce pollution in county waterways, and protect public infrastructure such as roads and drainage systems.
Himbre said the proposed reenactment includes one key change: removal of the current sunset provision. Without reenactment, the county would fall out of compliance with conditions of the NPDES municipal stormwater permit, he said. He also stated that adoption of the ordinance is categorically exempt from the State Environmental Policy Act under WAC 197-11-800(19).
A motion to set the time and date for the ordinance's public hearing was made and seconded; the motion passed by voice vote with all five council members present voting in favor. The council recessed until its committee meeting at 11 a.m.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 25-013 — Motion to set public hearing for March 26, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.; Outcome: approved; Vote: 5-0-0 (yes-no-abstain).
