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The City of Seattle
Ordinance
Council Bill
title
An ordinance relating to the 2026 Stormwater Code Update; updating stormwater control requirements for development, roadways, utilities, and maintenance activities; strengthening stormwater treatment and infiltration standards; clarifying vesting and review thresholds; ensuring the City's compliance with requirements of the City's 2024-2029 Phase 1 Municipal Stormwater Permit issued by the State Department of Ecology; and amending Chapters 22.800, 22.801, 22.802, 22.803, 22.805, and 22.807 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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Recitals:
Recital 1. The City of Seattle is committed to protecting local creeks and lakes, the Duwamish River, and Puget Sound.
Recital 2. The City fosters a healthy people, environment, and economy by partnering with the community to equitably manage water and waste resources for today and for future generations, including but not limited to the reduction of pollutants and contaminants of emerging concern from stormwater runoff that can harm local water bodies.
Recital 3. The City is aware that emerging contaminants from stormwater runoff, such as 6PPD-q, a chemical in tire dust, adversely affect local salmon populations, and supports greater water quality treatment where possible.
Recital 4. The City is working to address urgent housing needs and must balance protecting people, property, and the environment with increased development.
Recital 5. The City uses stormwater regulations to protect people, property, and the environment from damage related to stormwater runoff, for the purposes stated in Section 22.800.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
Recital 6. The City has committed to achieve thirty percent tree canopy coverage by 2037, and the amendments to the Stormwater Code adopted by this ordinance reflect that commitment by expanding opportunit...
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