§ 74-501. Introduction.

It is hereby determined that:

(a)

Land development projects and other land use conversions, and their associated changes to land cover, permanently alter the hydrologic response of local watersheds and increase stormwater runoff rates and volumes, which in turn increase flooding, stream channel erosion, and sediment transport and deposition;

(b)

Land development projects and other land use conversions can also contribute to increased nonpoint source pollution and degradation of receiving waters;

(c)

The impacts of post-development stormwater runoff quantity and quality can adversely affect public safety, public and private property, drinking water supplies, recreation, fish and other aquatic life, property values and other uses of lands and waters;

(d)

These adverse impacts can be controlled and minimized through the regulation of stormwater runoff quantity and quality from new development and redevelopment projects by the use of structural and nonstructural measures, such as the conservation or restoration of open space and greenspace areas;

(e)

Localities in the State of Georgia are required to comply with a number of both state and federal laws, regulations and permits which require a locality to address the impacts of post-development stormwater runoff quality and nonpoint source pollution; and

(f)

Therefore, the City of Atlanta has established this set of regulations governing the management of post-development stormwater runoff and the ongoing maintenance of stormwater control systems for the purpose of protecting local water resources from degradation. It is in the public interest to regulate post-development stormwater runoff discharges and control systems in order to reduce or minimize increases in stormwater runoff rates and volumes, post-construction soil erosion and sedimentation, stream channel erosion, and nonpoint source pollution associated with post-development stormwater runoff.

(Ord. No. 2004-56, §§ 2—4, 9-15-04; Ord. No. 2013-05(12-O-1761), § 1, 2-13-13)