Stormwater Permits

City of Wilmington Comprehensive Stormwater Ordinance

The City of Wilmington is a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II community. Federal law requires the City of Wilmington implement a stormwater ordinance that includes post-construction controls. This permitting process is required by the Clean Water Act and applies to urbanizing areas.

The City of Wilmington’s Stormwater Ordinance that includes the NPDES Phase II Post-Construction Controls was adopted by the Wilmington City Council effective November 1, 2009. The city’s Comprehensive Stormwater Ordinance applies to all new development, redevelopment, and expansion or modification of existing development. It regulates both water quality (pollution) and water quantity (volume) with regard to run-off generated by development activities. For many projects, it will replace the state stormwater permit process, currently administered by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Energy, Mineral & Land Resources. There are two tiers of stormwater review that may apply: Full Stormwater Review and Drainage Plan Review. The document below will help determine which level of review applies to your project.

• The City of Wilmington Comprehensive Stormwater Ordinance
• Stormwater Review Applicability Criteria and Requirements(PDF, 861KB)

Submittal and Review

All development review for the City of Wilmington is coordinated by city planning staff as part of the Site Plan Review Process. This involves a three-tiered series of meetings and review submittals intended to step a project from concept through full approval and construction release. The bulk of the technical review for a project is done as part of the third and final tier: the Technical Review Committee (TRC) meeting.

Engineering and stormwater review is a component of the overall Site Plan Review Process. All plans, forms, and other supporting documentation necessary for engineering and stormwater review are submitted through the city's planning department; they are not submitted directly to engineering. Additional information on the city’s Site Plan Review Process can be obtained from the website below or by contacting any city engineering for planning staff member.

• Site Plan Review Process

Stormwater Permit Forms

All projects that require a stormwater permit (drainage plan or full stormwater permit) must complete and submit a signed Stormwater Permit Application form. A checklist of other submittal requirements, including calculations, forms, and documents are listed on p5 of the application. All required forms and documents must be submitted along with the appropriate plan review fee for a project to be considered for engineering TRC review.

The Stormwater Permit Application Instructions(PDF, 74KB) must be read prior to completing the Stormwater Permit Application Form.

• Stormwater Permit Application v2.4(PDF, 273KB)
• Stormwater Plan Review Checklist v2.4(PDF, 151KB)
• City of Wilmington Engineering Fee Schedule(PDF, 121KB)

SCM Forms

All high-density projects or projects proposing permeable pavements (for credit) are required to submit one supplement for each proposed Stormwater Control Measure (SCM). One operation and maintenance agreement shall be submitted for each type of SCM proposed. The City of Wilmington is utilizing the State (NCDEQ) Supplement EZ form as the required SCM supplement.

• State (NCDEQ) Supplement EZ form
• Off-Site System Supplement(PDF, 57KB)

Deed Restriction Forms

Any subdivision (residential or commercial) or project where a portion of the property has the potential to be sold must submit one proposed property restriction document with the application packet. The proposed property restriction language is typically included in the master protective covenants for the subdivision and is required to be recorded prior to the sale of any lot.

• High-Density Commercial(DOCX, 20KB)
• High-Density Residential(DOCX, 21KB)
• Low-Density Residential(DOC, 32KB)
• Low-Density Residential (with Curb Outlet)(DOC, 32KB)

Other Documents

• City of Wilmington Technical Standards
• Independence Pond Regional Permit(PDF, 260KB)
• Silver Stream Regional Permit(PDF, 203KB)

Links to Other Agencies

• NCDEQ – Stormwater Program
• NCDEQ – Stormwater Design Manual
• NCDEQ – Erosion and Sediment Control
• New Hanover County Engineering – for erosion & sediment control related issues
• NCDEQ – Division of Coastal Management (CAMA)
• US Army Corps of Engineers