Penn Township’s Stormwater Management Ordinance is contained in Chapter 23 of the Township Code of Ordinances. The ordinance establishes requirements for managing stormwater associated with development, redevelopment, land disturbance, and other regulated activities within the Township.
The ordinance was adopted to meet the requirements of Pennsylvania’s Storm Water Management Act (Act 167) and to help protect properties, infrastructure, streams, and other waterways from the effects of stormwater runoff.
Property owners planning construction or land-disturbance activities should review the Township’s stormwater requirements before beginning a project. Requirements vary depending on the type and size of the proposed project.
View Chapter 23 ā Stormwater Management Ordinance ā
Purpose of the Ordinance
Penn Township’s Stormwater Management Ordinance establishes standards for managing stormwater from development and other regulated activities. Its primary goals are to:
- Reduce flooding and erosion.
- Protect streams and other waterways.
- Promote groundwater recharge and infiltration where appropriate.
- Reduce pollutants carried by stormwater runoff.
- Establish standards for stormwater facilities and best management practices (BMPs).
- Ensure stormwater facilities are properly maintained.
- Meet applicable state and federal stormwater requirements.
The ordinance provides the specific design standards, procedures, and requirements that apply to regulated projects within Penn Township.
Protecting Public Safety and Water Quality
Proper stormwater management helps protect residents, properties, roads, and other infrastructure from flooding and drainage problems. It also helps reduce sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants carried by runoff into local streams and waterways.
Penn Township’s Stormwater Management Ordinance establishes requirements for new development and other regulated projects to help manage runoff and reduce impacts on neighboring properties and water quality.
Stormwater Management Solutions
Traditional stormwater systems often relied on detention basins, pipes, and other facilities designed primarily to collect and control runoff. Today, stormwater management may incorporate a variety of practices that help manage runoff closer to where it originates.
Depending on the site and project, stormwater management practices may include:
- Rain gardens
- Infiltration areas or trenches
- Permeable pavement or pavers
- Vegetated swales
- Stormwater basins
- Green roofs
- Other practices designed to promote infiltration, manage runoff, and improve water quality
The appropriate stormwater management approach depends on the characteristics of the property and the requirements of the proposed project.
A Shared Responsibility
Stormwater management is a community-wide effort. As properties are developed or improved, managing runoff helps protect neighboring properties, public infrastructure, and local waterways.
Property owners can also help by maintaining stormwater facilities on their properties and using practices that reduce runoff and pollution. Together, these efforts help protect Penn Township’s streams and the waterways they eventually reach, including the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay.