Bensalem, PA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Township Code § 196-5 subjects all regulated activities affecting stormwater runoff, including land development, subdivisions, new or reconstructed impervious surfaces, new buildings, redevelopment and channel diversions, to Chapter 196. Section 196-6 exempts activities creating 1,000 square feet or less of new impervious surface from volume control and site-plan requirements, and activities of 1,001 to 5,000 square feet from peak-rate control only; anything over 5,000 square feet gets no exemption, per Table 106.1. Agricultural activity and forest management are exempt from peak-rate and site-plan rules if performed under 25 Pa.

Code Chapter 102, and the Township Engineer, with Council's concurrence, may waive a mandatory provision for hardship under § 196-6(h). Section 196-127 requires landowners or their designees to inspect stormwater BMPs annually for the first five years, then every three years, and after any ten-year or greater storm. Enforcement under § 196-128 lets the Municipality order compliance by written notice specifying required remedies (monitoring, ending prohibited discharges, remediation, fines for costs, BMP implementation) and a correction deadline; failing to comply lets the Township do the work itself and bill the violator, on top of Chapter 196 penalties.

Section 196-129 allows the Township to suspend or revoke a stormwater permit for noncompliance, a chapter violation, or creating a hazard or nuisance; a revoked permit cannot be reinstated, only reapplied for. Fees for SWM site plan review and inspection are set by Board of Supervisors resolution under § 196-86, and no work permit issues until those fees are paid.