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Planning and Development Services

Stormwater Permitting

www.skagitcounty.net/stormwaterpermitting

Skagit County is subject to a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit that can result in significant penalties upon the County and property owners if polluted water is discharged to ditches or streams. Stormwater management is governed by Skagit County Code Chapter 14.32, which received major revisions effective January 1, 2016. All land disturbing activity (except when vested before that date) must manage stormwater consistent with this chapter.

Key Concepts

NPDES Permit Area

The NPDES Permit Area is the area of unincorporated Skagit County defined by the Department of Ecology’s Phase II Western Washington Municipal Stormwater Permit, issued pursuant to the federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Whether your project is inside or outside the permit area is important to determining your stormwater requirements.

View the NPDES Permit Area map

Stormwater Management Manual

Skagit County has adopted Ecology’s 2019 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington.

County Stormwater System

The County’s stormwater system includes all of the natural and manmade systems that manage stormwater, including streams and creeks and other natural systems, and the County’s roadside ditches.

Nothing but stormwater may enter the stormwater system.

Application Requirements

Skagit County’s stormwater management requirements differ depending on whether you’re inside or outside the NPDES Permit Area.

Stormwater Site Plan Requirement
When you submit your building permit application, you must show all the stormwater features you will construct to manage stormwater on your site plan. See the Site Plan Requirements handout for details.

If your project is subject to Minimum Requirement 1, you must prepare your site plan consistent with the Stormwater Management Manual; see Volume I, Chapter 3 for guidance.

Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Requirement
All applications must include a Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (“Construction SWPPP”) to ensure that clearing, grading, and other construction doesn’t cause erosion and release of sediment into the stormwater system. Your permit will require you to follow your Construction SWPPP.

Most application may use our model. Review the form to see if you qualify, and submit the form with your application. If your project does not qualify, prepare a Construction SWPPP consistent with Stormwater Management Manual Minimum Requirement 2; see Volume II, Chapter 3 for guidance.

Projects that disturb one or more acres must have site inspections conducted by a Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL).

Construction Stormwater General Permit
Construction site operators are required to be covered by a Construction Stormwater General Permit if they are engaged in clearing, grading, and excavating activities that disturb one or more acres and discharge stormwater to surface waters of the state. Smaller sites may also require coverage if they are part of a larger common plan of development that will ultimately disturb one acre or more. This permit is issued by Ecology, and it’s the operator’s responsibility to obtain it.

Stormwater Manual

Skagit County has adopted Ecology’s 2019 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington.

The manual, which is standardized across most Western Washington counties, consists of nine Minimum Requirements (MR).

MR1 Stormwater Site Plan
MR2 Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
MR3 Source Control
MR4 Preserve Natural Drainage

MR5 Onsite Stormwater Management
MR6 Treatment
MR7 Flow Control
MR8 Wetlands Protection
MR9 Operations & Maintenance

VIDEO

Site Plan Review Training hosted by the City of Anacortes Stormwater Management Program on November 17, 2020. Douglas C. Howie, P.E., Senior Stormwater Engineer from the Washington State Department of Ecology, presented to stormwater staff from local jurisdictions on the updated, 2019 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (SWMMWW)

Stormwater Site Plan Review Training from Skagit County on Vimeo.

Photo: Rain Dog Designs,
Gig Harbor, WA

Low-Impact Development (LID)

Low-Impact Development techniques mimic natural processes to manage stormwater, and are frequently cheaper and more attractive than traditional stormwater management techniques.

When is LID required?
LID is the preferred approach to stormwater management countywide. Inside the NPDES Permit Area and the Special Flood Hazard Area, LID techniques are required unless the Administrative Official determines the techniques as not feasible.

LID Techniques

For specifics on implementing techniques, see the Low Impact Development Technical Guidance Manual for Puget Sound (2012, 18mb PDF).

Resources

Retail Permanent Facilities

Renew or Update an Existing FSE Permit with No Changes

Open a new FSE; remodel or become a new operator of an existing FSE

If you plan to open a new food business, or remodel your permitted kitchen or take over an existing food service, you must submit plans for review. If your planned business is mobile or temporary, see the specific links elsewhere on this site.

Plan Review Application

The state food code governs the requirements for food facilities.

Mobile Food Service or Food Cart

A mobile food operation has special requirements. It must be on wheels and easily movable. An approved commissary or support kitchen is required. Menu and food preparation may be limited. Mobile units must be approved by Washington Department of Labor and Industries prior to operating. Contact Labor and Industries

Mobile Food Service Rules of Operation

Mobile Food Service Plan Review Application

Annual Permit Renewal Form for Existing Permitted Mobiles

Food Bank or Soup Kitchen

Food Banks provide a valuable service to our citizens in need. The Health Department does not charge a permit fee for these facilities, but we appreciate having contact information. We also can provide advice and information on safe food handling of donations and distribution.

Food Bank Permit Application

Guidelines for Food Banks