§ 720. Scope.

The purpose of the stormwater management code contained in this chapter is to provide for effective management and financing of a stormwater system within the city; to provide mechanism for mitigating the damaging effects of uncontrolled and unplanned stormwater runoff; to improve the public health, safety and welfare by providing for the safe and efficient capture and conveyance of stormwater runoff and the correction of stormwater problems; to authorize the establishment and implementation of a master plan for storm drainage, including design, coordination construction, management, operation, maintenance, inspection and enforcement; to establish reasonable storm drainage service charges based on each property's contribution of stormwater runoff to the system and use and benefit of services and facilities; and to encourage and facilitate urban water resources management techniques, including detention of stormwater runoff, minimization of the need to construct storm sewers, and the enhancement of the environment.

In order to accomplish such purpose a storm drainage service charge shall be made on each lot or parcel in the city. Each property's contribution to runoff shall be the primary consideration in setting the service charge. Secondary consideration shall be given to specific or unusual service requirements of some properties, and special and general benefits accruing to or from properties as a result of providing their own stormwater management facilities.

The city's storm drainage service charges shall be fair and reasonable and bear a substantial relationship to the cost of providing service and facilities. Similar properties shall pay similar stormwater service charges. Charges shall reflect the area of each property and its intensity of development, since these factors bear directly on the peak rate of stormwater runoff. Rate studies shall be conducted periodically.

Stormwater costs shall be spread throughout the city, except where activities or facilities are clearly unusual and in excess of the normal level of service city-wide.

Charges for residential properties of two or less dwelling units shall reflect the relatively uniform effect that residential development has on runoff. Large residential lots generally have a lower overall intensity of development than small residential lots because a lesser percentage of large lots is covered with hard surfaced area. The effect of large residential properties on stormwater runoff is lowered by less imperviousness. Multi-family residential properties having three or more dwelling units and properties in land uses other than residential shall pay in proportion to residential properties of two or less dwelling units. Both relative area and intensity of development of other land uses shall be considered in setting rates.

An appeal and service charge adjustment process shall be employed to review stormwater charges when unusual circumstances exist which alter runoff characteristics or when either service or benefit varies from a normal condition or is of greater significance than contribution to runoff.

(Ordained by Ord. No. 281-1985, eff. July 19, 1985)