City of Butler, PA Article I General Provisions

§ 231-1 Short title.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "City of Butler Stormwater Management Ordinance."

§ 231-2 Statement of findings.

The governing body of City of Butler finds that:

A. Inadequate management of accelerated stormwater runoff resulting from development throughout a watershed increases flood flows and velocities, contributes to erosion and sedimentation, overtaxes the carrying capacity of existing streams and storm sewers, greatly increases the cost of public facilities to convey and manage stormwater, undermines floodplain management and flood reduction efforts in upstream and downstream communities, reduces groundwater recharge, threatens public health and safety, and increases nonpoint source pollution of water resources.

B. A comprehensive program of stormwater management, including reasonable regulation of development and activities causing accelerated runoff, is fundamental to the public health, safety, welfare, and the protection of the people of the municipality and all the people of the commonwealth, their resources, and the environment.

C. Inadequate planning and management of stormwater runoff resulting from land development and redevelopment throughout a watershed can also harm surface water resources by changing the natural hydrologic patterns; accelerating stream flows (which increase scour and erosion of streambeds and stream banks, thereby elevating sedimentation); destroying aquatic habitat; and elevating aquatic pollutant concentrations and loadings, such as sediments, nutrients, heavy metals, and pathogens. Groundwater resources are also impacted through loss of recharge.

D. Stormwater is an important water resource which provides groundwater recharge for water supplies and base flow of streams, which also protects and maintains surface water quality.

E. Public education on the control of pollution from stormwater is an essential component in successfully addressing stormwater issues.

F. Federal and state regulations require certain municipalities to implement a program of stormwater controls. These municipalities are required to obtain a permit for stormwater discharges from their separate storm sewer systems under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

G. Nonstormwater discharges to municipal separate storm sewer systems can contribute to pollution of waters of the commonwealth.

§ 231-3 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to promote health, safety, and welfare within City of Butler, Butler County, by minimizing the harms and maximizing the benefits described in § 231-2 of this chapter through provisions intended to:

A. Meet legal water quality requirements under state law, including regulations at 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93 to protect, maintain, reclaim, and restore the existing and designated uses of the waters of the commonwealth.

B. Manage accelerated runoff and erosion and sedimentation problems close to their source by regulating activities that cause these problems.

C. Preserve the natural drainage systems as much as possible.

D. Maintain groundwater recharge to prevent degradation of surface-water and groundwater quality, and to otherwise protect water resources.

E. Maintain existing flows and quality of streams and watercourses.

F. Preserve and restore the flood-carrying capacity of streams and prevent scour and erosion of stream banks and streambeds.

G. Manage stormwater impacts close to the runoff source, with a minimum of structures and a maximum use of natural processes.

H. Provide procedures, performance standards, and design criteria for stormwater planning and management.

I. Provide proper operations and maintenance of all temporary and permanent stormwater management facilities and best management practices (BMPs) that are constructed and implemented.

J. Provide standards to meet the NPDES permit requirements.

K. Implement an illegal discharge detection and elimination program in MS4 permanent urbanized areas to address non-stormwater discharges into City of Butler's separate storm sewer system.

§ 231-4 Statutory authority.

A. Primary authority: City of Butler is empowered to regulate these activities by the authority of the Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 864 (Act 167), 32 P.S. § 680.1 et seq., as amended, the "Storm Water Management Act," and the Third Class City Code.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 35101 et seq.

B. Secondary authority: City of Butler also is empowered to regulate land use activities that affect runoff by the authority of the Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247, The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended.[2]

[2] Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.

§ 231-5 Applicability.

A. In the City of Butler all regulated activities and all activities that may affect stormwater runoff, including land development and earth disturbance activity, are subject to regulation by this chapter.

B. Earth disturbance activities and associated stormwater management controls are also regulated under existing state law and implementing regulations. This chapter shall operate in coordination with those parallel requirements; the requirements of this chapter shall be no less restrictive in meeting the purposes of this chapter than state law.

C. "Regulated activities" are any earth disturbance activities or any activities that involve the alteration or development of land in a manner that may affect stormwater runoff. Regulated activities include, but are not limited to, the following listed items:

(1) Earth disturbance activities.

(2) Land development.

(3) Subdivision.

(4) Construction of new or additional impervious or semipervious surfaces.

(5) Construction of new buildings or additions to existing buildings.

(6) Diversion or piping of any natural or man-made stream channel.

(7) Installation of stormwater management facilities or appurtenances thereto.

(8) Installation of stormwater BMPs.

D. See § 231-11 of this chapter for exemption/modification criteria.

§ 231-6 Conflict with other provisions.

Approvals issued and actions taken pursuant to this chapter do not relieve the applicant of the responsibility to comply with or to secure required permits or approvals for activities regulated by any other applicable codes, laws, rules, statutes, or ordinances. To the extent that this chapter imposes more rigorous or stringent requirements for stormwater management, the specific requirements contained in this chapter shall be followed.

§ 231-7 Duty of persons engaged in development of land.

Notwithstanding any provision(s) of this chapter, including exemptions, any landowner or any person engaged in the alteration or development of land which may affect stormwater runoff characteristics shall implement such measures as are reasonably necessary to prevent injury to health, safety, or other property. Such measures also shall include actions as are required to manage the rate, volume, direction, and quality of resulting stormwater runoff in a manner which otherwise adequately protects health, property, and water quality.

§ 231-8 Municipal liability disclaimer.

A. Neither the granting of any approval under this chapter, nor the compliance with the provisions of this chapter, or with any condition imposed by a municipal official hereunder, shall relieve any person from any responsibility for damage to persons or property resulting therefrom, or as otherwise imposed by law nor impose any liability upon the municipality for damages to persons or property.

B. The granting of a permit which includes any stormwater management facilities shall not constitute a representation, guarantee or warranty of any kind by the municipality, or by an official or employee thereof, of the practicability or safety of any structure, use or other plan proposed, and shall create no liability upon or cause of action against such public body, official or employee for any damage that may result pursuant thereto.