Stormwater Management: Apex vs Cary
How do stormwater management rules compare between Apex, NC and Cary, NC?
Apex and Cary have similar restriction levels.
Apex, NC
Wake County
Apex operates a Phase II NPDES MS4 stormwater program administered by the Town's Stormwater Field Services group at (919) 362-8166 and codified in the Apex Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Article 8. Apex sits inside the Jordan Lake watershed in the Upper New Hope subwatershed (15A NCAC 02B .0265), which historically set nitrogen and phosphorus loading caps of 2.2 lb/ac/yr and 0.82 lb/ac/yr for new development. Apex was also added as a named community in the 2020 revisions to the Neuse Nutrient Strategy, with local implementation beginning July 2024.
View full Apex rules →Cary, NC
Wake County
Wake County enforces the Neuse Stormwater Rules (15A NCAC 02B .0235) county-wide and the Falls Lake Nutrient Strategy (15A NCAC 02B .0277) in the northern watershed. New development must control peak flow, nitrogen loading, and 50-ft riparian buffers per Wake UDO Article 9.
View full Cary rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Apex | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| MS4 Program | NPDES Phase II Small MS4 — NC DEMLR | - |
| Jordan Lake Subwatershed | Upper New Hope arm | - |
| State Nutrient Rule | 15A NCAC 02B .0265 (suspended pending readoption) | - |
| Historic Loading Cap | 2.2 lb/ac/yr N; 0.82 lb/ac/yr P (Upper New Hope) | - |
| Buffer Rule | 15A NCAC 02B .0267 (IN FORCE) | - |
| Neuse Strategy | Apex implementing since July 2024 | - |
| Swift Creek TMDL | EPA-approved 2009 (impaired biology) | - |
| Contact | Apex Stormwater — (919) 362-8166 | - |
| Neuse Rules | - | Countywide |
| Nitrogen cap | - | 4.0 lb/ac/yr |
| Buffer | - | 50 ft riparian |
| Falls Lake | - | Stricter rules |
| Inspection | - | Every 5 years |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Apex FAQ
Why is stormwater regulation so strict in Apex?
Because Apex sits inside the B. Everett Jordan Reservoir watershed in the Upper New Hope arm — Jordan Lake is the public drinking-water supply for Apex, Cary, Morrisville, RTP, and parts of Chatham County. State nutrient rules at 15A NCAC 02B .0262 to .0273 (the Jordan Lake Rules) treat new development in the Upper New Hope arm with a 2.2 lb/ac/yr nitrogen cap and a 0.82 lb/ac/yr phosphorus cap. The new-development rule .0265 is currently suspended by the NC General Assembly pending readoption, but the riparian buffer rule .0267 remains in force, and Apex also operates a Phase II NPDES MS4 permit and the Jordan Lake Stage I Adaptive Management Strategy.
Where do I report a stormwater problem in Apex?
Call Apex Stormwater Field Services at (919) 362-8166 or submit a Report a Concern through the Town's website. Common reports include oil sheens, sediment plumes, soap or paint in storm drains, illicit connections, and illegal dumping into Jordan Lake tributaries such as Beaver Creek and Middle Creek. The Town runs Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) inspections under its Phase II NPDES MS4 permit; serious violations are also referred to NC DEMLR for state enforcement under NCGS 143-215.6A.
Cary FAQ
What is a Stormwater Control Measure?
An engineered feature (rain garden, bioretention cell, wet pond, permeable pavement) that controls runoff quality and quantity per Neuse Stormwater Rules.
Do I have to inspect my SCM?
Yes — most O&M agreements require annual self-inspection plus 5-year Wake County re-certification. Failure can trigger civil penalties.
Are single-family lots exempt?
Small single-family lots under disturbance thresholds may be exempt; subdivisions and larger sites must comply fully.
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