Do You Need a Stormwater Exemption/Small Project Permit, or a Stormwater Management Site Plan?
| Property Use | *Total New Impervious Surface | Total New Earth Moving disturbance | Stormwater Permit Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 0 to 1,000 Square Feet | Less than 5,000 Square Feet | Exemption Permit |
| 1,001 to 2,500 Square Feet | Less than 5,000 Square Feet | Small Project Permit | |
| 2,501 and up (Square Feet) | 5,000 and up (Square Feet) | Stormwater Management Plan | |
| Agricultural | 0 to 1,000 Square Feet | Less than 5,000 Square Feet | Exemption Permit |
| 1,000 to 5,000 Square Feet | Less than 5,000 Square Feet | Small Project Permit | |
| 5,001 and up (Square Feet) | 5,001 and up (Square Feet) | Stormwater Management Site Plan | |
| Commercial (includes Apartments) | Any New Area | 5,001 and up (Square Feet) | Stormwater Management Site Plan |
| Industrial | Any New Area | 5,001 and up (Square Feet) | Stormwater Management Site Plan |
| Institutional | Any New Area | 5,001 and up (Square Feet) | Stormwater Management Site Plan |
*All impervious area and lot cover square footage installed after April 7, 2014 are independently and cumulatively added together and tracked to determine when you have reached the Small project threshold, and will subsequently be required to have a full Stormwater Management Site Plan. Any new regulated activity and or new impervious area would be required to follow an engineered Stormwater Management Site Plan.
For additional information from the Township Stormwater Ordinance 345 Article III. regarding SWM Site Plans click here.
Stormwater Exemptions & Small Projects
Residential Zoning/Building Permits include a Stormwater Exemption/Small Project Application to apply for the applicable permit. Stormwater related permits are determined by the size/scope of the project and the cumulative new impervious area. The Township will assist you with determining your eligibly for an Exemption or Small Project Permit. Contact the Township at 717-393-1567 if you have any permitting questions.
A Small Project is a regulated activity that, measured on a cumulative basis from April 7, 2014, creates new impervious areas between 1,000 – 2500 square feet (residential uses) or between 1,000 – 5,000 square feet (agricultural uses) or involves removal of ground cover, grading, filling, or excavation of an area less than 5,000 square feet and does not involve the alteration of stormwater facilities or watercourses.
There are no exemptions or small projects for any non-residential uses.
The Township Stormwater Department should be contacted if any impervious surface is added, removed, or altered, and if an earth disturbance activity occurs.
For additional information from the Township Stormwater Ordinance 345, Article V. regarding Exemptions/Small Projects click – here
Stormwater Management Site Plans
A Stormwater Management Site Plan (SWM Site Plan) is required for all regulated activities, unless your property qualifies as a small project or is exempt coming under the Stormwater permit process.
A Stormwater Management Site Plan is required for all Regulated Activities as listed below:
- Land Development
- Removal of ground cover, grading, filling or excavation
- Construction of new or additional impervious or semi-impervious surfaces, and associated improvements
- Construction of new buildings or additions to existing buildings
- Installation or alteration of stormwater management facilities and appurtenances
- Diversion or piping of any watercourse
- Any other regulated activity where the Township determines that the activity may affect any existing watercourse’s stormwater management facilities or stormwater drainage patterns.
- NOTE: MAINTAINING existing stormwater management systems generally does NOT require a permit. Changing a stormwater management system does require a permit.
A SWM Site plan is required to manage the rate, volume, direction, and quality of resulting stormwater runoff in a manner which adequately protects health, property, and water quality.
