Chesapeake Bay Preservation, Stormwater Management, Floodplain & Erosion and Sediment Ordinances
PURPOSE
Arlington County adopted several ordinances to protect the land, waterways and ultimately preserve the Chesapeake Bay. These ordinances were designed to manage and minimize the effect of land development on these areas. These items include erosion and sediment control, stormwater detention and management practices, resource protection area regions, and floodplain management practices.
Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance (CBPO)
Resource Protection Areas (RPAs) -- extremely sensitive areas, such as streams, rivers and watersheds, including a 100-foot buffer area around them
Resource Management Areas (RMAs) -- areas in which improper development can also degrade water quality
- Resource Protection Area (RPA) Map (static map) (7.7 MB, PDF format)
- Arlington County GIS Interactive Mapping Tool
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) website
- Code of Virginia Chapter 21: Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act website
Stormwater Detention Ordinance (SWD)
The installation of on-site stormwater detention facilities as properties are developed or redeveloped within Arlington County for the purpose of reducing the harmful effects of stormwater runoff on streambeds, banks, parklands, private properties and other areas in the County. The requirements enacted under this ordinance help to maintain a peak runoff rate as close to predevelopment levels, unless a waiver is granted. For more information on waving the Stormwater Detention requirements, please contact the Stormwater Reviewers at (703) 228-3629.
In June 2005, VDOT issued a Hydraulic Design Advisory (HDA 05-03) which included updated rainfall intensity information for Arlington County based on the recently released NOAA ATLAS 14 Rainfall Precipitation Frequency Data. The following table is a summary of the 10-year and 100-year rainfall intensities for giving durations. It is recommended that this data be used in design of products in Arlington County. For more information, please refer to VDOT publication HDA 05-03 (16.2 KB) (PDF format).
Arlington County Code and Forms
- Stormwater Detention Ordinance (County Code Chapter 60) (30 KB)
- Guidance Document for Stormwater Detention Ordinance (777 KB, PDF format)
Commonwealth of Virginia - Code of Virginia and Forms
- Stormwater Management Handbook (36 MB, PDF Format)
- Northern Virginia Regional Commission Best Management Practices (BMP) Handbook (1 MB, PDF format)
- Stormwater Detention/Management (SWD) Zone Map (3.5 MB, PDF format) and Arlington County Watershed Map (64 KB, JPG format)
Floodplain Ordinance
An area of Arlington County subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff, surface waters from any source and is relatively flat or low-land area adjoining a river, stream or water course which maybe partially or completely inundated.
Arlington County Code and Forms
- Floodplain Management Ordinance (Arlington County Code Chapter 48) (86 KB)
- Flood Insurance Rate Map Update Process
- Flood Maps of Arlington County, Virginia
Flood Insurance Rate Maps Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps FIRM MAP INDEX (604 KB) FLOODWAY MAP INDEX (544 KB) FIRM PANEL NO. 212250 0002B (1.7 MB) FLOODWAY PANEL NO. 212250 0002 (1.8 MB) FIRM PANEL NO. 212250 0004B (1.5 MB) FLOODWAY PANEL NO. 212250 0004 (1.6 MB) FIRM PANEL NO. 212250 0010B (2.6 MB) FLOODWAY PANEL NO. 212250 0010 (2.1 MB) FIRM PANEL NO. 212250 0017B (1.9 MB) FLOODWAY PANEL NO. 212250 0017 (1.7 MB) FIRM PANEL NO. 212250 0021B (3.1 MB) FLOODWAY PANEL NO. 212250 0021 (2.6 MB) FIRM PANEL NO. 212250 0022B (3.8 MB) FLOODWAY PANEL NO. 212250 0022 (3.1 MB)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - Maps and Documents
- Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- National Flood Insurance Program (Flood Insurance, Floodplain Management, Flood Hazard Mapping)
- FEMA Flood Insurance Brochure (206 KB, PDF Format)
Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance
The establishment of requirements for the control of erosion and sedimentation, and procedures whereby these requirements shall be administered and enforced to converse the land, water, air and other natural resources of Arlington County and promote the public health and welfare of the people in the County.
Arlington County Code and Forms
- Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance (Arlington County Code Chapter 57)
- Arlington County Responsible Land Disturber Form (26 KB, PDF format)
- Responsible Land Disturber Guidelines (2004) (PDF format)
- Land Disturbance Activities, Permit and Application Process on LDA web page
- Land Disturbance Activity Application (PDF format)
- Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Checklist (PDF format)
Commonwealth of Virginia - Code of Virginia and Forms
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