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Act 167 And Other Municipal Ordinances
Act 167 And Other Municipal Ordinances
There are many ways in which provisions for green stormwater infrastructure might overlap or conflict with existing municipal ordinances. Listed below are types of ordinances that municipalities may review to ensure that the ordinances work together. This list is an overview, and not a complete assessment, as relevant ordinances will be different for each municipality.
- Zoning
- Grading/Excavations
- Subdivision and Land Development
- Parking
- Floodplains/Buffers
- Water
- Sewers
- Environmental
For a comprehensive list of overlapping ordinances from a University of Pittsburgh Law Clinic study, click here. For a more detailed worksheet assessment of a municipality's code in relation to stormwater management, see this resource from the Center For Watershed Protection.
Implementing Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Implementing Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Low-impact development, floodplain management, and restoring natural hydrologic regimes are also key to promoting green infrastructure and supporting its many potential benefits, such as flood prevention and improving water quality. Below are some ordinance examples and resources from subdivision and land development and zoning ordinances that can assist a municipality in implementing green stormwater infrastructure.
Allegheny County Municipal Examples
Allegheny County Municipal Examples
Low Impact Development (LID): Low impact development minimizes post-development runoff rates and reduces the stormwater that eventually makes its way in to the system.
Environmental Protection Requirements: This section contains provisions that specifically limit development near creeks, implement grading requirements, and set standards for residential development.
Steep Slopes: These provisions set out to limit development on steeply sloped areas, especially around water courses.
Vegetation Preservation: This section protects natural vegetation in the town by prohibiting all removal except when compliant with the zoning ordinance.
Riverfront Green Overlay Zoning District: This creates a special zoning district around the riverfront area that contains special green stormwater provisions that preserve water quality and reduce flooding.
Wetlands and Wetland Buffers: This provision protects natural wetlands and hydrological drainage features, and creates buffers for development.
Downspout (Roof Drain) Disconnection Program: Etna Borough has designed a separate ordinance that incentivizes the disconnection of downspouts through a voluntary program.
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
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