CHAPTER 18 – STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Chapter 18: Stormwater Management Ordinance Summary
Effective Date: June 28, 2010 (Ordinance No. 576)
This ordinance establishes regulations for stormwater management within Ebensburg Borough, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. It applies to all municipalities in the Little Conemaugh River, Chest Creek, and Blacklick Creek watersheds.
What Activities Are Regulated?
The following activities require compliance with this ordinance:
- Land development and subdivision
- Construction of new or additional impervious surfaces (driveways, parking lots)
- Building new structures or adding to existing ones
- Diverting natural or man-made stream channels
- Installing stormwater management facilities
- Mining operations
- Deforestation of wooded areas
Exemptions from Requirements
Certain small-scale activities are exempt based on parcel size and impervious area:
| Total Parcel Size | Impervious Area Exemption (sq. ft. ) |
|---|---|
| Less than 1/4 acre | 2,500 sq. ft. |
| 1/4 to 1 acre | 5,000 sq. ft. |
| 1 to 2 acres | 10,000 sq. ft. |
| 2 to 5 acres | 15,000 sq. ft. |
| More than 5 acres | 20,000 sq. ft. |
Additional exemptions include:
- Residential gardening for personal consumption
- Landscaping that doesn't significantly alter runoff characteristics
- Agricultural activities conducted under a conservation plan
Plan Requirements
Developers must submit a stormwater management plan for approval before:
- Final subdivision/land development plan approval
- Issuance of any permit
- Commencement of land disturbance activities
Plans must include:
- Project description and engineering calculations
- Soil descriptions and stormwater control measures
- Maintenance programs for all facilities
- Drainage plan application with fees
- Erosion and sediment control plan approval
- Maps showing property boundaries, contours, streams, utilities, and proposed changes
Four copies of the completed drainage plan must be submitted to Ebensburg Borough.
Permit Process
- All regulated activities require a drainage permit before construction begins
- Permits expire 12 months from issuance date
- Renewal requires resubmission of the application form and payment of additional fees
- The Borough may suspend or revoke permits for non-compliance
Financial Requirements
Applicants must pay fees covering:
- Administrative costs
- Plan review by the Borough and Borough Engineer
- Site inspections during construction
- Final inspection upon completion
- Additional work needed to enforce permit provisions
Enforcement and Penalties
Violations of this ordinance may result in:
- Written notification of violation with a time limit for correction
- Fines up to $600 plus costs
- Imprisonment not exceeding 30 days for continued violations
- Injunctive relief through court action
Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense.
Appeals
Aggrieved parties may appeal Borough decisions to:
- The Borough Council within 30 days of the action
- The County Court of Common Pleas in Cambria County within 30 days of the municipal decision
Key Definitions
- Impervious Surface: Any surface that prevents water from percolating into the ground
- Detention Basin: A facility designed to temporarily store stormwater runoff and release it at a controlled rate
- Infiltration Structures: Facilities like seepage pits or trenches designed to direct runoff into the ground
- Groundwater Recharge: The replenishment of underground water supplies
Technical Standards
Stormwater management facilities must be designed to:
- Limit peak post-development runoff to pre-development rates for 5, 10, 25, and 100-year storms
- Meet specific structural criteria including proper lining, side slopes (maximum 3:1 horizontal to vertical), and fencing for basins deeper than 3 feet
- Include emergency overflow systems capable of handling 100% of the 100-year post-development runoff
- Comply with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) regulations and Chapter 105 dam safety requirements where applicable