The City of Manchester regulates the discharge of stormwater runoff from projects that disturb land. Following are links to applicable City Stormwater regulations, specifications, application forms and checklists. For more information on these regulations, see below.

Regulations:
Adopted Stormwater Ordinance
Adopted Stormwater Regulations
Standard Specifications for Road, Drain & Sewer Construction
Subdivision and Site Plan Review Regulations, Stormwater Ordinance and Regulations
 

Forms, Applications, and Checklists:
Stormwater Management and Land Disturbance Permit Requirements Cover Letter
Land Disturbance Permit Application Form & Checklist
Stormwater Management Checklist for Planning Projects
Construction Startup Notification Form
 

Fact Sheets & Supporting Materials:
City of Manchester Steep Slope Map with Parcels
A Homeowner’s Guide to Managing Stormwater
Stormwater Management for Land Disturbance Projects
 

Background
Stormwater discharges in the City of Manchester are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Stormwater Permit Program. Under this program, Manchester was required to obtain NPDES permit coverage under the 2003 and 2017 “General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s)" for its stormwater discharges. This permit program was created with the intention of improving the quality of the nation’s waterways by reducing the quantity of pollutants that stormwater picks up and carries into stormwater systems and discharges to surface waters. 

Under this permit, Manchester was required to develop and implement an ordinance, by-law, or regulatory mechanism to address stormwater discharges. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen originally approved the Stormwater Ordinance on August 1, 2006. The purpose of this Stormwater Ordinance and supporting Regulations is to protect, maintain, and enhance the environment of the City of Manchester and the public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizens by controlling discharges of pollutants to the City’s stormwater system.

To comply with the 2017 MS4 Permit, Manchester was required to update its Stormwater Ordinance and Regulations, primarily to incorporate pollutant removal and design criteria required under the permit. To help streamline the permitting and review process related to construction and development/redevelopment projects, Manchester provided updates to its Subdivision and Site Plan Review Regulations, Stormwater Ordinance and Regulations, and Standard Specifications for Road, Drain & Sewer Construction.

Permitting Process
Most permit applications will go through the Subdivision and Site Plan Review permitting process and use the Stormwater Management Checklist for Planning Projects to demonstrate compliance with the stormwater performance criteria outlined in the Standard Specifications. Planning projects that do not disturb land, including lot line adjustment, conditional use, change of use without site construction or others that do not disturb exterior land surfaces are not required to complete the checklist.

The stormwater performance standards also apply to land disturbance projects outside the purview of the Planning Board. Specifically, a separate Land Disturbance Permit Application form and checklist through DPW-EPD will be required for any project that disturbs greater than or equal to 0.5 acres of land or greater than or equal to 1,000 square feet on slopes greater than 15% that is not subject to Subdivision and Site Plan Review. Applications submitted through DPW-EPD will be posted on the EPD’s website for public comment. 

The following summarizes when a Land Disturbance Permit Application form and checklist or Stormwater Management Checklist for Planning Projects should be completed:

Requirements for Approved Projects
Subsequent to project approval, and at least 10 days prior to starting site work, applicants must meet with the DPW-EPD to review approved plans and their implementation. Applicants must submit the Construction Startup Notification Form to ensure that the required information is provided to the City prior to starting site work.

If you have any stormwater-related issues or questions, please contact the EPD Stormwater Department at (603) 621-7735 or email us by clicking on the link below and selecting Stormwater from the subject drop-down:
Email the Stormwater Department