Environmental Rules in Bellevue, WA (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Bellevue, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Bellevue requires a drainage connection permit before any property connects to or modifies the public storm and surface water system, and larger detention or treatment work needs a utility developer extension agreement. Permits expire after two years, and the Utilities Department enforces the code with civil penalties reaching $500 per day.
Bellevue Storm and Surface Water Utility Code
Some RestrictionsBellevue City Code § 24.06.060(B)
B. Drainage Connection Permit. 1. A drainage connection permit is required to connect to or modify the public storm and surface water system or to modify a private storm and surface water system for activities referenced in BCC 24.06.065, unless a utility developer extension agreement is required pursuant to subsection (C)(1) of this section or unless the work is specifically covered under anot...
Erosion Control
Bellevue requires a Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (CSWPPP) for clearing, grading and land-disturbing projects that trip the city's permit thresholds, and bars most clearing, grading and hauling between October 1 and April 30 unless the applicant shows silt-laden runoff will stay on site, with a flat ban during heavy rain.
Bellevue Erosion and Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsBellevue City Code § 23.76.090
A. Purpose. The purpose of minimum requirement 2 is to prevent erosion and the discharge of sediment and other pollutants into the storm and surface water system and receiving waters using appropriate BMPs and site management techniques. B.1. Minimum Requirement 2. This section describes requirements for applicants to prepare a CSWPPP for new development, redevelopment, and land disturbing acti...
Flood Zones
Bellevue amends the International Building Code to require that construction in flood hazard areas follow the FEMA Flood Insurance Study for King County and the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps, both dated August 19, 2020. Design elevations must meet ASCE 24 and cross-referenced Land Use Code Section 20.25H.175.
Bellevue Flood Hazard Area Rules
Some RestrictionsBellevue City Code § 23.10.1612.3
1612.3 Establishment of flood hazard areas. To establish flood hazard areas, the applicable governing authority shall adopt a flood hazard map and supporting data. The flood hazard map shall include, at a minimum, areas of special flood hazard as identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in an engineering report entitled "The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for King County, Washington, ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Bellevue requires new residential construction in flood hazard areas to sit at least one foot above the base flood elevation shown on FEMA's King County Flood Insurance Study, a freeboard margin built into the city's amended International Residential Code. The rule applies wherever a FEMA flood hazard map or the King County FIS controls the site.
Bellevue Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsBellevue City Code § 23.12.322.1.4 (IRC § R322.1.4, amended)
R322.1.4 Establishing the design flood elevation. The design flood elevation shall be used to define flood hazard areas. At a minimum, the design flood elevation shall be one foot above the higher of the following: 1. The base flood elevation at the depth of peak elevation of flooding, including wave height, that has a 1 percent (100-year flood) or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded in...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bellevue city rules.
Environmental Rules in King County →