Eugene, OR Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- EC 6.615
- Charge basis
- Any improved property, EC 6.600
- Maintenance duty
- Private O&M Plan required
- Enforcement tools
- Stop work order, civil penalty, citation
- Repeat violation rule
- Each day = separate violation
Summary
Eugene makes property owners financially and legally responsible for their stormwater service and requires privately built stormwater facilities to be operated and maintained under a filed Operations and Maintenance Plan, backed by inspections, stop-work orders and civil penalties under EC 6.615.
(1) Purpose. The purpose of section 6.615 is to ensure that stormwater management facilities designed and constructed in accordance with sections 9.6790 through 9.6797 of this code and the Stormwater Management Manual adopted by administrative order of the city manager are operated and maintained in a manner that protects life and property from flood and drainage hazards, protects water quality, and protects the waterways in the headwaters area from the erosive effects of runoff. (3) Maintenance responsibility. (a) Unless the city accepts the responsibility to operate and maintain a stormwater facility, all stormwater management facilities shall be privately operated and maintained.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 20739, passed June 8, 2026).
Full Breakdown
600 (current through Ordinance 20739, passed June 8, 2026) creates an obligation to pay stormwater service charges whenever a property uses stormwater services, presumed whenever the premises is improved; the person paying water utility charges pays the stormwater charge unless another responsible person has agreed in writing. 6797 must be privately operated and maintained according to an Operations and Maintenance Plan filed with the city, with periodic compliance reports due on a schedule set by administrative rule. The city may inspect facilities at reasonable times, and property owners cannot refuse entry without the city seeking a warrant or other legal remedy.
115, including full restoration of any damage to open waterways. In a homeowners' association or condominium development, every unit can be held liable for an unpaid administrative civil penalty tied to a shared stormwater facility, and the city may lien each unit for its share.
Violations & Fines
Each day a stormwater maintenance violation continues is a separate violation under EC 6.615(5)(c). Enforcement can include a stop work order, a compliance order, an administrative civil penalty under EC 2.018 as authorized by EC 6.995, and a municipal court citation; a stop work or compliance order takes effect immediately even while an appeal under EC 2.021 is pending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to maintain a stormwater facility on private property in Eugene?
Can the city inspect my stormwater facility without notice?
What happens if I don't maintain my stormwater facility?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Eugene
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