Tacoma, WA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

This chapter sets forth uniform requirements for, and shall apply to all persons, discharging stormwater or pollutants to the municipal stormwater system and receiving waters within the City, and requires compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, local ordinances, and this chapter. The purpose of this chapter includes but is not limited to the following:

1. To control the quantity and quality of the stormwater discharged directly and indirectly into the receiving waters within the City and/or the municipal stormwater system;

2. To promote compliance with the City’s municipal stormwater permit, its stormwater management program, and applicable federal and state laws and regulations, local ordinances, and this chapter;

3. To protect receiving waters by mitigating the impacts of increased stormwater due to urbanization; to correct or mitigate existing water quality impacts related to stormwater; and to help restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the City’s waters for the protection of beneficial uses, including salmon;

4. To manage stormwater to protect life, property, and the environment from loss, injury, and damage by pollution; to minimize flooding, erosion, and contact with pollutants; and to manage stormwater from developed properties and construction sites;

5. To encourage the use of low impact development as the preferred and commonly-used approach for stormwater management;

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