About Stormwater

Last updated or reviewed on November 13, 2024

Federal Stormwater Requirements

The federally-mandated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination system (NPDES) Phase II Stormwater Program is an effort to preserve, protect, and improve the nation’s water resources from polluted runoff. The City of Asheville and all similarly-sized U.S. cities are required to uphold and implement the provisions of a federal stormwater permit with the intent of protecting water quality. The six required components of the federal NPDES Phase II Stormwater permit are:

  • Public Education
  • Public Involvement
  • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
  • Construction Site Runoff Controls
  • Post-Construction Site Runoff Controls
  • Good Housekeeping/Pollution Prevention of Municipal Facilities.

The City of Asheville received its initial NPDES Permit (#NCS000435) for the discharge of stormwater from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality in July 2005. The permit was renewed on January 1, 2021 and is effective until December 31, 2026.  The City of Asheville received approval on December 3, 2020 for its Stormwater Management Plan.  No state or federal resources are provided to municipalities to implement these measures. For more information about the NPDES Phase II Stormwater Program, visit the NC Division of Water Quality and the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Stormwater Ordinance

The Stormwater Division strives to protect local water quality by way of the current Stormwater Ordinance. The ordinance, adopted in August 2007, brought the city into compliance with NC Department of Environmental Quality regulations. Some provisions could impact the future development plans of landowners along streams. These stream protection and erosion rules, and any revisions to them, can affect both future development and the city’s ability to maintain water quality in rivers, streams, and lakes. The City of Asheville has held several public input sessions to gain feedback and describe the process being used to reconsider certain provisions. With the public input, the final product was developed by staff and the Watershed Policy Committee (consisting of City staff, members of the development community, owners of private property in the city, and environmental representatives) and adopted June 8, 2010. Click on the following links to view the current ordinance:

Ordinance Amending Chapter 7 of the Code Ordinances of the City of Asheville Pertaining to Environmental Protection Standards for Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control and Stormwater Management

Regulations Pertaining to Definitions for Environmental Protection Standards of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Asheville

Ordinance Amending Chapter 7, Article XVIII, of the Unified Development Regulations of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Asheville Pertaining to Enforcement

Development Review Procedures for Floodplain Development

Development in the Floodplain

The City of Asheville Ordinance Sec. 7-5-12 regulates development activities in the floodplain. The permitting and inspection process helps to ensure that development occurs in a manner which protects life and safety as well as property and the natural environment, which in turn reduces insurance costs. Depending on the type of development activity, a stormwater permit may be required. The review process helps to ensure the design meets the city’s development guidelines and rules. The inspections process helps to ensure the constructed structures comply with the City’s specifications. The NC Division of Water Resources and US Army Corps of Engineers want you to know that there are many important considerations before working in streams or wetlands.

Annual Stormwater Management Plan Reports

We Are An Award Winning Division

American Trails National Trails Award – 2015 Partnership Award, Level 2
City of Asheville and New Belgium Brewery
2010 NCDENR Award for Large Sedimentation and Erosion Control Program

We are an NC811 Safe Digging Partner

Contact Information

Development Services Department Permitting and Inspections Contacts:

Ric Ledford, Stormwater Plan Reviewer
Frank Rapp, Stormwater Plan Reviewer
Thana Alley, Stormwater Plan Reviewer

Monte Clampett, Stormwater Inspections Coordinator

Danny Gibson, Stormwater Inspector
Toby Shelton, Stormwater Inspector
Gary Jarvis, Stormwater Inspector
Larry Williams, Stormwater Inspector