Purpose and policy.
Winston-Salem Code of Ordinances § 75-41
in effectSec. 75-41. - Purpose and policy.
This article sets forth requirements for all contributors of stormwater runoff to the natural and constructed storm drainage facilities for the city and enables the city to comply, as mandated, with all applicable state and federal laws required by the Clean Water Act of 1972 and its subsequent revisions:
(1) The objectives of this article are:
a. To undertake a program of stormwater quality management as required by the federally mandated National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permitting process;
b. To mitigate the introduction of pollutants into the storm drainage system which will pass through the system into receiving waters, to be accomplished through best management practices;
c. To provide for the equitable distribution of the cost of constructing, operating, maintaining, and managing a stormwater quality management system;
d. To help ensure the safety of the general public.
(2) All developed real property benefits from the existence of the city's storm drainage system because they contribute storm and surface water runoff to the system because of impervious and semi-impervious improvements to the property.
(3) Municipalities are authorized under N.C.G.S. § 160A-314 to establish fees to fund the construction, operation and maintenance of stormwater management systems.
(4) The city council finds that a need exists for funding for the stormwater management system and that the establishment of user fees is the most equitable method of providing this funding.
(5) The amount of the proposed stormwater management system user fees shall not exceed the reasonable cost of providing the services, facilities or regulatory activity for which the fees are charged.
(6) In order for the city to meet the water quality requirements of the NPDES permit issued to the city by the N.C. Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources and in order to properly fund facilities and activities to accomplish this end, the city council has determined that it is necessary to impose on all developed properties in the city a user fee for storm water management services.
(Ord. No. 4536, § 3, 10-24-05)
Source: City of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nc/winston-salem/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIICOOR_CH75STMA_ARTIIISTMAUT_S75-41PUPOFetched: 11/1/2026