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1. Why did the city develop the current stormwater ordinance?

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is required by the Virginia Stormwater Management Law and Virginia Stormwater Management Regulations (VSWML&R) to regulate land development activities to prevent water pollution, stream channel erosion, depletion of groundwater resources, and more frequent localized flooding to protect property values and natural resources. These regulations require localities (e.g., the City of Roanoke) to establish a local program to regulate the same in their jurisdiction.

The city implements its own program through the proposed Stormwater Management Ordinance and Stormwater Management Design Manual. The advantage of a local program for property owners and developers are as follows: review of the stormwater management practices performed by the same staff that is reviewing the overall development plan and offers a single point of contact for permitting of land disturbing activities.

2. How was the current ordinance developed?

The City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, and the City of Salem have worked together to develop stormwater ordinances with similar requirements to provide as much consistency as possible for property owners, developers and designers working in the area. The draft city ordinance was developed using a template from DEQ. This assures that the ordinances meet the minimum state requirements but the drafts have also been tailored to consider local conditions and needs.

3. What is the Stormwater Design Manual?

The Manual includes detailed provisions for the design and construction of stormwater management facilities and is incorporated by reference in the Stormwater Management Ordinance. The manual serves 2 primary purposes. First, it provides a detailed description of the process and requirements for the submittal, review and approval of stormwater management plans as well as requirements for the long-term maintenance of storm water management facilities. The manual includes plan review checklists and standard forms and language for the various agreements required by the ordinance. Secondly, it provides a compilation of design criteria and guidelines for common stormwater management facilities that are constructed or anticipated to be constructed in the city. These guidelines will be used by city staff to review and approve Stormwater Management Plans.

The Design Manual incorporates elements of the Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook published by DEQ in 1999 which serves as its primary guidance for SWM programs. Basing the manual on the DEQ Handbook and other recognized sources helps to assure consistency between the city’s local program and state requirements.

4. What activities are covered by the current ordinance?

Residential, commercial, industrial or institutional land development activities that involve land-clearing or soil movement are regulated, but there are exceptions. View the activities covered by the current ordinance for more information. Activities Covered by Current Ordinance