ORC Agenda Packet - Dec 3 2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Article 6: Development Standa" Section 6.14: Stormwater Management (b) Impervious surface calculations for an individual development shall be cumulative for original construction and any subsequent additions. One- half of the width of any of any existing or proposed road adjacent to an individual lot shall be included as impervious surface for that lot, except in the case where an existing road was contained within a dedicated public right-of-way at the time that the watershed regulations were first applied to the watershed within which the development is located. (4) Infiltration Systems (a) The benefits of Infiltration Systems include, but are not limited to: (i) Removal of both suspended and dissolved pollutants, (ii) Relatively low maintenance requirements, (iii) Flood reduction, (iv) Promotion of groundwater recharge, and (v) Maintenance of stream flow during dry periods. (b) Where on-site Infiltration Systems are utilized, areas for such purposes shall be designated on the plat and shall remain undisturbed both during and after construction. (c) Undisturbed areas designated for infiltration of stormwater runoff shall also be located downslope from impervious surfaces and shall not include areas characterized by floodplains, highly erodible or impervious soils, steep slopes or previously disturbed areas. (d) Areas designated as suitable for septic tank nitrification fields may not be used for stormwater runoff infiltration purposes. (B) Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) (1) In cases where non-structural methods may not adequately control the stormwater runoff generated by the first inch of rain from all project surfaces due to the amount of impervious surface proposed to be developed, or in cases where Non-Structural Methods are not effective or appropriate due to factors such as the presence of highly erodible soils, impervious soils, steep slopes, and/or lack of vegetative cover, permanent Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs), which capture stormwater runoff for slow release through a controlled outlet, are required. (2) Where required, SCMs shall be constructed in accordance with this Section. (C) Impervious Surface and SCM Requirements (1) For all protected watersheds, an absolute limit on the percentage of lot area which can be covered with impervious surfaces has been established. See Section(s)4.2.5 and 4.2.6 of this Ordinance. (2) In some cases, SCMs are required when the proposed impervious surface ratio exceeds a specified percentage, which is below the absolute limit. 6.14.5 Applicability (A) The stormwater management standards and regulations included herein are applicable to all new development within the Orange County planning jurisdiction, including private, public, state, and federal development not covered by a separate NPDES permit, as follows: (1) Falls Lake Watershed (a) Any Land-Disturbing Activity that cumulatively disturbs greater than one- half acre of land in order to establish, expand or modify a single family or Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-98