Vancouver requires a Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for most land-disturbing projects. Strict seasonal soil-exposure windows apply: two days maximum from October through April, seven days maximum from May through September.
VMC Ch. 14.24 (Erosion Control) and Ch. 14.25 (Stormwater) govern construction site runoff. A full SWPPP must be submitted and approved before work begins when new or replaced hard surface totals ≥2,000 sq ft or land disturbance totals ≥7,000 sq ft (VMC § 14.24.070). An abbreviated SWPPP applies to sites disturbing less than one acre. Seasonal limits: no soil exposed more than 2 consecutive days October 1–April 30; no more than 7 days May 1–September 30. All BMPs must be regularly inspected and documented. A certified erosion and sediment control lead (CESCL) is required. Enforcement is under VMC § 14.24.080 and Title 22.
Violations are unlawful under VMC § 14.24.080, enforced via VMC Title 22. Remedies include correction notices, civil monetary penalties, stop-work orders, and abatement cost recovery.
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver prohibits leaving any vehicle parked on a public street for more than 24 consecutive hours. Officers attach a notification sticker; if the vehicle ...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver's Municipal Code Chapter 20.912 governs all fences, walls, and retaining walls citywide. Residential fences have tiered height limits by yard locat...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver has no dedicated local ordinance banning wildlife feeding. Washington state law prohibits feeding large wild carnivores and, since May 2025, feedin...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver allows hens, ducks, geese, rabbits, and similar domestic animals in all zoning districts for hobby use with no minimum lot size. Roosters, turkeys,...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver's Land Use and Development Code (VMC Chapter 20.925) encourages but does not universally mandate native plants. For development projects, native an...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver allows residential lawn ornaments and yard art without permits provided they do not exceed the 8-foot residential accessory-structure height standa...
See how Vancouver's erosion control rules stack up against other locations.
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