Chapter 54: Stormwater Management for Development and Re-development
Ordinance Summary
In 1999, the Minneapolis City Council amended Title 3 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, relating to Air Pollution and Environmental Protection, by adding the Chapter 54 ordinance, entitled Stormwater Management. The Chapter 54 ordinance establishes requirements for projects with land disturbing activities on sites greater than one (1) acre, including phased or connected actions, and for existing stormwater devices.
Goals
The purpose of this ordinance is to minimize negative impacts of stormwater runoff rates, volumes and pollutants on Minneapolis lakes, streams, wetlands, and the Mississippi River by guiding future significant development and redevelopment activity, and by assuring long-term effectiveness of existing and future stormwater management constructed facilities. The Chapter 54 ordinance specifies that stormwater management standards be set according to the receiving water body, and the table below lists discharge requirements by receiving water. The standards include but are not limited to:
- For discharges to the Mississippi River, reductions of suspended solids
- For discharges to streams, reductions of suspended solids and controlled rate of runoff
- For discharges to lakes, reduction of suspended solids and reduction in nutrients
- In addition, for discharges to areas prone to flooding and areas with infrastructure limitations, controlled rate of runoff
Minneapolis Development Review (MDR)
Stormwater Management Plans are required for all construction projects on sites greater than one (1) acre in size. These plans are reviewed through the MDR process. Responsibility for ongoing operation and maintenance is one component of the Stormwater Management Plan.
Registration
Stormwater devices shall be registered with the City of Minneapolis Department of Regulatory Services, with an annual permit being required for each registered stormwater device.
Stormwater ‘Buyout’ for off-site management, in lieu of on-site treatment
This option is reserved for only those sites that demonstrate that performance of on-site stormwater management is not feasible. With approval of the City Engineer, the Chapter 54 Ordinance allows developers to contribute to the construction of a regional stormwater facility in lieu of on-site treatment/management. Final plan approval is conditional on payment received.
Click on link on this page for the complete text of the Chapter 54 Ordinance requirements.
Receiving Waters | Total Discharge Requirements |
All receiving waters | 70% removal of total suspended solids |
Brownie Lake | 10% phosphorus load reduction |
Cedar Lake | 40% phosphorus load reduction |
Lake of the Isles | 20% phosphorus load reduction |
Lake Calhoun | 30% phosphorus load reduction |
Lake Harriet | 20% phosphorus load reduction |
Powderhorn Lake | 30% phosphorus load reduction |
Lake Hiawatha | 42% phosphorus load reduction |
Lake Nokomis | 25% phosphorus load reduction |
Loring Park Pond | 0% phosphorus load increase |
Webber Pond | 0% phosphorus load increase |
Wirth Lake 1 | 30% phosphorus load reduction |
Spring Lake | 30% phosphorus load reduction |
Crystal Lake 2 | 30% phosphorus load reduction |
Diamond Lake | 30% phosphorus load reduction |
Grass Lake | 30% phosphorus load reduction |
Birch Pond | 0% phosphorus load increase |
Ryan Lake | 30% phosphorus load reduction |
Other wetlands | 30% phosphorus load reduction |
Mississippi River | 70% removal of total suspended solids |
Minneapolis streams | No increase in rate of runoff from site |
1 Wirth
2
Last updated Jan. 31, 2012