In November 2013, PADEP approved the Lancaster County Model Stormwater Management Ordinance. The Ordinance was developed as part of the Water Resources component of the County Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of the ordinance is to control runoff rates associated with impervious areas of newly developed and redeveloped properties and, in addition, to improve the quality of the stormwater runoff and to promote groundwater recharge.

The main impact of the updated ordinance will apply to small projects of less than 2,000 square feet of new impervious areas. Under the ordinance, which was adopted by the Township on April 14, 2014, effective on May 7, 2014, any existing lot of record in the Township, which has undergone no impervious area additions since February 9, 2004, will be eligible for a stormwater management exemption up to a cumulative 1,000 square feet of new impervious area. Cumulative impervious areas between 1,001 and 2,500 square feet would be eligible to use a “Small Projects” permit application. The Small Projects require the applicant to provide some stormwater analysis and controls, which can be completed by the applicant, without the need for an engineering consultant, by using the application and worksheets in the ordinance. Examples of Small Project controls are included in the Ordinance.

Projects larger than the cumulative 2,500 square feet would require the assistance of an engineering consultant to prepare plans and calculations, as they have in the past.