2009 North Carolina Code
Chapter 143 - State Departments, Institutions, and Commissions.
§ 143-214.7. Stormwater runoff rules and programs.

§ 143‑214.7.  Stormwater runoff rules and programs.

(a)        Policy, Purpose and Intent. – The Commission shall undertake a continuing planning process to develop and adopt a statewide plan with regard to establishing and enforcing stormwater rules for the purpose of protecting the surface waters of the State. It is the purpose and intent of this section that, in developing stormwater runoff rules and programs, the Commission may utilize stormwater rules established by the Commission to protect classified shellfish waters, water supply watersheds, and outstanding resource waters; and to control stormwater runoff disposal in coastal counties and other nonpoint sources. Further, it is the intent of this section that the Commission phase in the stormwater rules on a priority basis for all sources of pollution to the water. The plan shall be applied evenhandedly throughout the State to address the State's water quality needs. The Commission shall continually monitor water quality in the State and shall revise stormwater runoff rules as necessary to protect water quality. As necessary, the stormwater rules shall be modified to comply with federal regulations.

(b)        The Commission shall implement stormwater runoff rules and programs for point and nonpoint sources on a phased‑in statewide basis. The Commission shall consider standards and best management practices for the protection of the State's water resources in the following order of priority:

(1)        Classified shellfish waters.

(2)        Water supply watersheds.

(3)        Outstanding resource waters.

(4)        High quality waters.

(5)        All other waters of the State to the extent that the Commission finds control of stormwater is needed to meet the purposes of this Article.

(c)        The Commission shall develop model stormwater management programs that may be implemented by State agencies and units of local government. Model stormwater management programs shall be developed to protect existing water uses and assure compliance with water quality standards and classifications. A State agency or unit of local government may submit to the Commission for its approval a stormwater control program for implementation within its jurisdiction. To this end, State agencies may adopt rules, and units of local government are authorized to adopt ordinances and regulations necessary to establish and enforce stormwater control programs. Units of local government are authorized to create or designate agencies or subdivisions to administer and enforce the programs. Two or more units of local government are authorized to establish a joint program and to enter into any agreements that are necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of the program.

(c1)      Any land‑use restriction providing for the maintenance of stormwater best management practices or site consistency with approved stormwater project plans filed pursuant to a rule of the Commission, local ordinance, or permit approved by the Commission shall be enforced by any owner of the land on which the best management practice or project is located, any adjacent property owners, any downstream property owners who would be injured by failure to enforce the land‑use restriction, any local government having jurisdiction over any part of the land on which the best management practice or project is located, or the Department through the remedies provided by any provision of law that is implemented or enforced by the Department or by means of a civil action, without first having exhausted any available administrative remedies. A land‑use restriction providing for the maintenance of stormwater best management practices or site consistency with approved stormwater project plans filed pursuant to a rule of the Commission, local ordinance, or permit approved by the Commission shall not be declared unenforceable due to lack of privity of estate or contract, due to lack of benefit to particular land, or due to lack of any property interest in particular land. Any person who owns or leases a property subject to a land‑use restriction under this section shall abide by the land‑use restriction.

(d)        The Commission shall review each stormwater management program submitted by a State agency or unit of local government and shall notify the State agency or unit of local government that submitted the program that the program has been approved, approved with modifications, or disapproved. The Commission shall approve a program only if it finds that the standards of the program equal or exceed those of the model program adopted by the Commission pursuant to this section.

(d1)      A retail merchant shall not use more than 400 square feet of impervious surface area within the portion of the merchant's premises that is designed to be used for vehicular parking for the display and sale of nursery stock, as that term is defined by the Board of Agriculture pursuant to G.S. 106‑423. This subsection shall not apply to a retail merchant that either:

(1)        Collects and treats stormwater on‑site using a treatment system that is designed to remove at least eighty‑five percent (85%) of total suspended solids. For purposes of this subdivision, a treatment system includes, but is not limited to, a filtration system or a detention system.

(2)        Collects and stores stormwater for reuse on‑site for irrigation or other purposes.

(3)        Collects and discharges stormwater to a local or regional stormwater collection and treatment system.

(d2)      Repealed by Session Laws 2008‑198, s. 8(a), effective August 8, 2008.

(e)        The Commission shall annually report to the Environmental Review Commission on the implementation of this section, including the status of any stormwater control programs administered by State agencies and units of local government, on or before 1 October of each year.  (1989, c. 447, s. 2; 1995, c. 507, s. 27.8(q); 1997‑458, s. 7.1; 2004‑124, s. 6.29(a); 2006‑246, s. 16(b); 2007‑323, s. 6.22(a); 2008‑198, s. 8(a).)