No structure shall be erected nor use established in conflict with:

• the district regulations of Article 3,
• the building and lot regulations of Article 4,
• the street regulations of Article 5,
• the off-street parking regulations of Article 6,
• the landscape and open space regulations of Article 7,
• the general provisions of Article 8, or
• the sign regulations of Article 10.

In accordance with N.C.G.S 160D-702, requirements that street and utility rights-of-way be dedicated to the public, that provision be made of recreational space and facilities, and that performance guarantees be provided, may be required all to the same extent and with the same limitations as provided for in G.S. 160D-804 and G.S. 160D-804.1

Any lot on which a building (or buildings) is to be erected or use is to be established shall abut a public street with the following exceptions:

1. Any lot for which a residential use has been legally established prior to the effective date of this ordinance in accordance with provisions permitting establishment of use on a lot served by a private and exclusive recorded easement of at least 15 feet in width connecting said lot to a public street, may be used as if it abutted a street, provided that it is served by a driveway located on said easement. A lot of one (1) acre or more in area created through a division of land not subject to the Subdivision Ordinance shall be eligible for issuance of a permit to establish a single-family detached house, provided the lot is served by a private and exclusive recorded easement or fee-simple projection of the building lot at least 15 feet in width connecting said lot to a public street. A driveway accessible by emergency equipment must be located on said easement or lot projection. Lots created under these provisions shall be known as “easement-access lots” and “flag lots”, respectively.
2. Any lot for which a non-residential use has been legally established prior to the effective date of this ordinance in accordance with provisions permitting establishment of use on a lot served by a private, exclusive recorded easement of at least 15 feet in width connecting said lot to a public street, may be construed in the same manner as a lot abutting a street provided that it is served with a driveway built to appropriate standards located on the permanent, recorded easement.
3. Up to six residential lots may be served by a privately maintained easement with a minimum 30-foot right-of-way if designed according to the specifications of the Rural and Transitional Farmhouse Cluster development or the specifications of the Rural and Transitional Conservation Subdivision.
4. A site specific development plan may be considered for approval in the TC, NC, NR, R, TR, HC, CB, CI, VS, both TND and TOD districts where residential and/or non-residential lots and/or structures front upon a private courtyard, carriageway, mid-block private alleyway with courtyard, or pedestrian way, or urban open space as defined in Article 7, Part B, where adequate access by emergency vehicles is maintained by way of a street or alley and where the off-street placement of uses does not diminish the orientation of building fronts to the public street.
5. A site-specific development plan may be considered for approval in the Campus Institutional and Corporate Business Districts to permit interior lot access by private drives so long as business and emergency access is furnished to all interior building sites, and proposed buildings at the perimeter of the campus and corporate development front upon public street(s) or are buffered in accordance with this ordinance. It is intended that subdivisions be primarily served by public streets and use of private drives is minimal. Private drives may be appropriate where property configuration or environmental constraints make their use a practical alternative. Private drives shall be constructed in accordance with Retail/Mixed-Use Local Street standards as found in the Engineering Standards and Procedures Manual and sidewalks shall be provided on at least one side of the private drive. See the Campus and Corporate Business Districts.
6. To access a lot or lots in the Highway Commercial District, where factors beyond developer control, such as a limited access highway, an existing development, or the location of an existing intersection, prohibit completing a street connection, a private drive may be substituted for the interior street which cannot be connected to the public network.

Only one principal building and its customary accessory building(s) may be erected on any lot, except that multiple buildings which, taken together, compose a single principal use may be erected on a single lot as permitted by the district regulations and described by building and lot type. Requirements of Subdivision Ordinance Section 6.800 apply. The multiple building exception shall not apply to single-family homes and duplex house types that are not a part of a retirement community or congregate care facility.

No lot, even though it may consist of one or more adjacent lots of record, shall be reduced in size such that the requirements for building and lot type cannot be met, or the performance standards for spacing of structures, building mass and scale, and street frontage relationships cannot be respected. This prohibition shall not be construed to prevent the purchase, dedication, or condemnation of narrow strips of land for public utilities or street or sidewalk right-of-way purposes.

1. On lots which abut more than one street, building and lot shall generally front upon the more pedestrian oriented street, given the arrangement of existing and proposed streets and drives, and the orientation of buildings on adjoining lots.
2. Where multiple buildings are permitted on a single platted lot, each building shall generally front upon a pedestrian oriented street, either external or internal to the development; side and rear yard designations shall be determined on the basis of building orientation.
3. On irregularly shaped lots, the location of required front, side, and rear yards will be determined by the Zoning Administrator. The determination will be based on the spirit and intent of this ordinance to achieve an appropriate spacing of buildings and orientation to the street(s).

1. If two corner lots are separated by a common rear lot line, the common side yards of the lots on the street must be at least 50 percent of the greater of the two front setbacks, existing or required.
2. In any district, where the side lot line of a corner lot is substantially a continuation of the front lot line of the lot to its rear, the required side yard of the corner lot shall (a) be at least 50 percent of the established front setback of the adjacent lot or (b) establish a transition between existing buildings by stepping toward the street or back from the street a distance equal to the lesser building setback + one-half of the difference between the setbacks of the adjoining buildings.
3. Buildings on corner lots shall be positioned on the corner abutting the build-to lines on both streets.

If both the front and rear yards of a lot abut public streets, then the rear building line shall respect the alignment of buildings on the back street while the front building line shall respect the alignment of buildings on the fronting street.

1. The height of habitable buildings and components is controlled by building type (Article 4).
2. Structures and structural components not intended for human occupancy (including towers, steeples, flagpoles, chimneys, water tanks or similar structures) may exceed the height limit of buildings. Further, towers primarily used for manufacturing purposes that may also be occupied may exceed the height limit of buildings. Components of civic buildings which extend above the height limit shall follow the standards for the civic building type (Article 4). When adjacent to a lot or lots located in a residential district, any part of a non-civic structure which extends above the height limit must be separated from the residential lot by a distance equal to its height measured from the ground. In all other instances, any part of a non-civic structure which extends above the height limit must be separated from lot lines by a minimum distance of one foot for every four feet in height measured from the ground.
3. The height limitations of this section shall not apply to public utility poles and lines, skylights, and roof structures for elevators, stairways, tanks, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment, or similar equipment for the operation and maintenance of a building, and any device used to screen such structures and equipment.
4. Commercial communication towers, where permitted, may exceed the height limit for structures when the standards of Section 9.9 are met.

1. No principal building or structure shall be located within any required setback or yard, forward of the build-to line for a principle structure, within any setback or yard established by a recorded plat, nor in any required buffer or screen.
2. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no accessory structure shall be located within an established setback or required side yard, nor within five feet of a side or rear lot line. Where permitted, accessory dwellings may be located no closer than 5 feet to the right-of-way or easement of an abutting mid-block alley, nor closer than 15 feet to an abutting rear property line. Piers, docks, and other water-dependent accessory structures may be located in any required setback or yard on lots, which abut a body of water. Fences, walls, security gates, paths, walkways, mailboxes, utility poles, lighting fixtures, patios at grade, and similar features may be located in an established setback or required yard, so long as the sight triangle on corner lots is protected according to the provisions of Section 8.9. If the accessory structure exceeds the height of the principal structure, it must meet the minimum side yard and be at least 15 feet from the rear lot line.
3. Fences may be located in any yard, established or required, according to the standards of Section 8.11.2.
4. Signs may be located in an established front setback or a sideyard abutting a public street as permitted by the provisions of Section 10, Signs.
5. Transit shelters may be located in any setback or yard which abuts a street, in accordance with Section 9.39.
6. Off-street parking areas, maneuvering areas for parking, and loading areas are prohibited in the established front building setback, which shall be landscaped, in any established side yard abutting a street, which shall be landscaped, and in any required buffer or screen. This restriction shall not apply to:
   1. a driveway which crosses a front yard to provide access from the street to a parking area; or
   2. an individual driveway, including conventional appurtenances thereto such as basketball goals, designed to also serve as a parking area for a detached or duplex dwelling; or
   3. plazas associated with civic buildings or campus quadrangles that have been designed and approved for occasional use as secondary parking areas;
   4. the frontage along a Retail/Mixed-Use Street for which specific streetscape plan and section have been adopted by the Board of Commissioners to include limited parking and access in a series of fronting yards.
   5. off-street parking lots in established setbacks and yards of golf clubhouses, configured to minimize conflicts between street vehicles and recreational carts, located a minimum of 800 feet from a designated thoroughfare(s), and compliant with all other design standards for parking lots.
   6. maneuvering areas for loading or delivery activities in the established setbacks and yards of buildings in mixed use zoning districts where the location of buildings that were legally constructed without the provision of these areas preclude them from being located out of established setbacks and yards. Maneuvering areas for parking, loading, or delivery activities are prohibited in the public right-of-way in residential and commercial districts.
7. No outdoor storage of goods and materials or refuse containers shall be located in any established setback or established side yard abutting a street, nor in any required buffer or screen, except for the temporary placement of refuse for scheduled curb side collection.
8. Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, architectural features such as cornices, eaves, bays, awnings, steps, gutters, and fire escapes may project up to 3 feet into an established or required yard; additional encroachment is permitted for certain building and lot types established in Article 4.
9. Subordinate structures attached to single family homes, such as decks, garages, porches, utility rooms, and similar features may extend into the required rear yard up to 25% of its depth, and may consume up to 20% of its area. Attached garages accessed from rear alleys may extend into the required rear yard to within 3’ of the alley right-of-way or easement, and may consume up to 50% of its area. Such extensions may not exceed 50% of the width of the dwelling at the rear building line.
10. Above ground backflow preventers and water meters are expressly prohibited in the established front yards of buildings where they can be placed underground or a location outside of the established front yard is technically feasible according to the standards and requirements of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department. Where there is no reasonable alternative to locating an above ground backflow preventer or water meter in the established front yard, the structure housing the device shall be covered in a non-reflective material and shall be surrounded, on all sides visible from public streets and abutting properties, by a landscaped opaque screen according to Article 7.6.2.

1. A clear view at each corner of an intersection of public or private streets or driveways shall be maintained by establishing a “sight triangle” that is free of obstructions that may block a driver’s view. The extent of the required sight triangle varies according to the posted speed and traffic control device(s) of the streets forming the intersection. Below is a general figure from the American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) “A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets” which depicts the required sight triangle area to be free of obstructions at an intersection. Measurements for sight distances at street intersections, including sight triangles, shall begin at the edge of pavement of a proposed or existing street. Additional information on the required sight triangles can be found in the Town’s Engineering Standards and Procedures Manual.
   A sight triangle easement may need to be recorded on the property plat if the sight triangle does not fall completely within the recorded right-of-way. Should the sight triangle cross private property, the developer shall secure permanent sight triangle easement or right-of-way from all private property owners within the sight triangle prior to preliminary/construction plan approval.
2. No planting, structure, sign, fence, wall, man-made berm, or other obstruction to vision shall be installed, constructed, set out, or maintained so as to obstruct cross-visibility in the sight triangle between 30 inches and 96 inches above the level of the center of the street intersection.
3. The limitations of this section may be modified in the instances noted below, so long as adequate sight distance is maintained relative to the design speed:
   1. trees trimmed such that no limbs or foliage extend into the area between 30 and 96 inches above the level of the adjacent intersection. Required street trees in the green zone shall not create a walling effect within the sight triangle;
   2. fire hydrants, public utility poles, street markers, government signs, electrical junction boxes (below 30 inches in height), and traffic control devices;
   3. buildings located in the Town Center District, the Neighborhood Center District, or the commercial centers of either TND District;
   4. the approved and intentional use of traffic calming techniques to reduce speed; these include, but are not limited to: a series of hill crests, neck-downs, intersection diverters, and curb bulbs.
4. Corner easements refer to the Huntersville Engineering Standards and Procedures Manual (ESAPM).

All principal and accessory structures and buildings in all districts shall preserve a minimum fire-separation distance compliant with North Carolina State Building Code requirements or NC Residential Code requirements, whichever may apply.

1. Accessory uses and structures that are clearly related to and incidental to the permitted principal use or structure on the lot.
2. Fences and walls.
   
   • In a residential, mixed use, or commercial district, a fence or wall in the established front yard of a building shall be a minimum of 2 feet in height and a maximum of 5 feet in height. Decorative caps or spires which extend above the highest horizontal member of the fence shall not be included in the measurement of height. Chain link, welded wire, or similar fencing materials, if used, shall be placed on the interior side of a masonry wall, solid wood fence, or decorative wood or vinyl fence that is equal to or greater in height than the secure fencing and demonstrates effective screening capability. (For example, a 4’ high welded wire fence attached to the interior of a decorative split rail fence or board farm fence of equal height or greater would perform to the standards of this section).
   
   • In a residential or mixed use district, a fence or wall in an established rear or side yard which abuts a street or alley may not exceed 6 feet in height unless placed 15 or more feet inside property boundary. Within the first 15 feet, fences of chain link or similar material are permitted only if screened on the exterior side by evergreen shrubs planted no farther apart than 6 feet on center, minimum height 3 feet at installation, or if obscured from view by the screening method(s) set out in the paragraph immediately above.
   
   • In a residential or mixed use district, a fence or wall in an established rear or side yard which does not abut a street or alley may not exceed 8 feet in height.
   
   • In a commercial district, a fence or wall shall not exceed 8 feet within the first 15 feet of an established side or rear yard abutting a street or alley. Fences of chain link or similar material are permitted in the first 15 feet of an established yard abutting a street or alley only if placed on the interior side of a masonry wall or solid wood fence and planted with a semi-opaque vegetative screen between wall or fence and street or alley. Beyond the first 15 feet abutting a street or alley, such materials may be used if screened on the exterior side by evergreen shrubs planted no farther apart than 6 feet on center, minimum height 2 1/2 feet at installation, or if obscured from view by other screening method(s) which perform at the same or a higher level.
   
   • In a commercial district, fences of chain link or similar material placed in an established yard which abuts a residential or mixed use district shall provide a semi-opaque vegetative screen on the exterior side of the fence.
   
   • For parking lots as principal or accessory uses, the standards of Article 6 will control.
3. On-site Land Clearing and Inert Debris (LCID) landfill.
   
   • Any on-site LCID landfill must obtain a permit from and comply with the standards of the Mecklenburg County Environmental Protection Department and the State of North Carolina.
   
   • Any such landfill must be closed in an approved fashion within six months of completion of construction or within 12 months of cessation of construction, if the development project has not been completed.
   
   • The location of any such landfill must be indicated on the preliminary subdivision plan and the final subdivision plat. Further, any parcel or lot which contains any part of any such landfill must have notification of the existence and extent of the landfill recorded as part of the deed for the lot or parcel.
   
   • No portion of any such landfill may be located within 75 feet of any property line which constitutes the external boundary of the project. This includes structures, equipment storage, parking areas and fill areas, except that access drives may cross this area.
   
   • Any on-site LCID landfill which is located in a corporate business district is exempted from the 12 month requirement provided that no portion of the landfill is located within 300 feet of any adjoining property zoned for residential or mixed use, and so long as an opaque screen is provided and/or maintained which visually separates the landfill from the residential or mixed use adjoiners.
   
   • A surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit in an amount to be determined by the consulting engineer, must be provided to ensure that any active landfill area will be closed in an approved fashion. The amount of the bond will be based upon the maximum acreage expected to be in use at any given time.
4. Petroleum storage, accessory to a permitted principal use or building, subject to the Fire Prevention Code of the National Board of Fire Underwriters.
5. Temporary buildings and storage of materials, provided that the use is in conjunction with the construction of a building on the same lot or on an adjacent lot; the temporary uses shall be terminated upon completion of construction.
6. All swimming pools located on any site, including single family residential sites, shall be:
   
   • Located in a side or rear yard only;
   
   • Located a minimum of ten (10) feet from any property line measured to the water’s edge;
   
   • Completely enclosed by a fence or wall no less than four feet but no more than eight feet in height above grade as measured on the side of the fence or wall which faces away from the swimming pool. This fence or wall shall enclose the pool itself and may include any other additional portions of the lot. All fence or wall openings into the pool area shall be equipped with a gate that opens outward away from the pool and shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device.

Where standards and responsibility for infrastructure construction, including but not limited to streets, sidewalks, and landscaping, are specified in this document or in the subdivision regulations of the Town of Huntersville, town standards shall control. In the absence of a specified town standard, construction shall be in conformance with the then most recent version of the Land Development Standards Manual.

1. No driveway or other point of access to a public street shall be constructed, relocated, or altered unless a driveway permit is obtained from the Town of Huntersville or the State of North Carolina, whichever jurisdiction applies. The applicant shall comply with the most restrictive standards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this subsection shall be interpreted to conflict with N.C.G.S. § 160D-804(j).
2. For development projects composed of multiple buildings and lots, access to the pre-existing public street system shall be determined by the location of proposed intersecting streets. Except for lots in the Conservation Subdivision, no parcel of land which is a functional part of the overall development, even though it may be removed by the developer from the rest of the project area by subdivision or by metes and bounds description, shall be permitted to have driveway access to the public streets bounding the project area.
3. In a residential major subdivision, access to individual lots from streets constructed as part of the subdivision shall be reviewed and approved at the time each building permit is issued. Individual driveway permits are not required on a lot-by-lot basis.
4. Determination of the location and design of access to the public street system shall be made by professional reviewers based on a contextual examination of the site, surrounding development, potential traffic generated on the site, current and future surface transportation system needs, special polices which might exist for the corridor being accessed, and state of the practice principles for access management as promulgated by the Institute of Transportation Engineers and the Transportation Research Board.

1. Authorization. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes 160A-306 and 153A-326 (which state that cities and counties shall have authority to (1) classify all or a portion of the streets within their jurisdictions according to their size, present and anticipated traffic load, and other characteristics relevant to the achievement of the purposes of this section, and (2) establish by ordinance minimum distances that buildings and other permanent structures or improvements constructed along each class or type of street shall be set back from the right-of-way line or the center line of an existing or proposed street) the following requirements shall apply.
2. Minimum Setbacks Along Thoroughfares. The build-to or set back line for any lot which abuts a thoroughfare classified on the Comprehensive Thoroughfare Plan shall be measured from the proposed right-of-way line, if existing right-of-way is of lesser width. The Proposed Right-Of-Way Line established for each classification of thoroughfare is as follows:
   
   

   Thoroughfare Classification	Feet
   Freeway or Expressway	250-350
   Boulevard	100-200
   Other Major Thoroughfare	100-120
   Minor Thoroughfare	70-100
   Town Streets (Collector, Local, Alley)	Varies according to the standards of Article 5 of the Huntersville Zoning Ordinance and the Town’s Engineering Standards and Procedures Manual

3. Transitional Setback for Lots Along Thoroughfares. A transitional setback or yard shall be established for each lot which abuts a thoroughfare that has an existing right-of-way which is not as wide as the ultimate right-of-way established for that thoroughfare. The transitional setback or yard area established for lots abutting thoroughfares can be used for any purpose allowed by the particular zoning district, except for those permanent uses which are prohibited in the established setbacks or yards. The area between the existing right-of-way and the Proposed Right-of-Way Line may not be used to satisfy any minimum open space requirement, any minimum lot size requirement, or any other minimum requirements imposed by this ordinance. At the time that the proposed right-of-way is dedicated or otherwise acquired for roadway purposes, the property owner shall be responsible for the removal of any uses from the transitional setback or yard that are not otherwise permitted in the yard by the district regulations. The property owner shall have one (1) year from the date of right-of-way acquisition to remove any such uses.
4. Exceptions. The standards herein prescribing setback from the proposed right-of-way line will not apply to any development for which a preliminary subdivision plan or a conditional district site plan has been approved prior to the effective date of regulations requiring setback from proposed right-of-way lines along thoroughfares. Nor shall they apply to structures in the Town Center District.
5. Right To Appeal. An affected property owner shall have the right to appeal transitional yard or setback requirements to the Planning Board for a variance as they apply to a particular piece of property. The Planning Board may approve a variance of these requirements upon a showing that:
   1. The peculiar nature of the property results in practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships that impede carrying out the strict letter of the requirements, and
   2. The property will not yield a reasonable return or cannot be put to reasonable use unless relief is granted, and
   3. Balancing the public interest in enforcing the setback requirements and the interest of the owner, the grant of relief is required by considerations of justice and equity.
   4. In granting relief, the Planning Board may impose reasonable and appropriate conditions and safeguards to protect the interests of neighboring properties. The Planning Board's decision shall be subject to review by the superior court by proceedings in the nature of certiorari in accordance with N.C.G.S. 160D-1402

1. Except as specifically provided in the Rural and Transitional districts, detached house types and two-unit attached house types shall be required to have a lot width greater than 50’ feet. Developers shall have the option to provide lots widths 50’ feet wide or less when alley access allowing on-site parking is provided for detached house types and two-unit attached house types. Further, developers shall also have the option to apply for a conditional district rezoning to create lot widths of 50 feet wide or less without an alley provided it can demonstrated the development can accommodate on-street parking, meet all the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance including installation of street trees, and demonstrate public services such as trash pick-up can be provided.
2. Alley access for on-site parking is strongly encouraged for three-unit or more attached house types.
3. For lots 60 feet wide or less, driveways shall be no more than 14 feet wide as measured along the public street right-of-way for a detached house and two-unit attached house type. For lots wider than 60 feet, driveways shall be no more than 20 feet wide as measured along the public street right-of-way for a detached house and two-unit attached house type. For three or more unit attached house types, driveway width shall not occupy more than 50% of the public street front of a lot as measured along the public street right-of-way.
4. When front entry garages are used, it is recommended to minimize emphasis on front loaded garages by having a building feature projecting from or flush with the garage, have a column to separate a two-car garage or any other technique as determined by the owner to be appropriate.
5. Driveways shall extend at least twenty (20) feet from a public right-of-way and public sidewalk easement to prevent on-site residential parking from encroaching into the public right-of-way or easement for a public sidewalk.
6. On-street parking at lot front, when specifically provided, may be counted toward all or part of the parking requirement of a dwelling unit.
7. Detached garages may only be placed in the established rear yard. Garages for more than two cars must be detached and located in the established rear yard or be attached side or rear loading,
8. Lots in subdivisions approved prior to the effective date of this ordinance, are exempt from the limitations of .1 through .2, above.
9. Vehicles used primarily for commercial purposes and with more than two axles are prohibited from parking on streets, in driveways, or on private property in residential districts. This shall not be construed as preventing the temporary parking of delivery trucks, moving vans, and similar vehicles which deliver goods or services.
10. Provisions for parking unlicensed vehicles in residentially zoned districts shall be as follows:
    1. No more than two (2) motor vehicles that do not have a current, valid license plate and are not fully enclosed in a permanent structure shall be permitted outside on any premises, provided such vehicles are registered to the occupant of the premises or immediate family member of the occupant as the record title of the vehicle.
    2. No unlicensed motor vehicle if not registered to the occupant of the premises or immediate family member of the occupant as the record title owner of the vehicle shall be permitted outside of any premises.
    3. Vehicles described in paragraphs (a) and (b) are not permitted to be located within any established setback or any established side yards which abut a street or any required side yards contained in these regulations or any street right-of-way. If stored in the rear yard, it must be a minimum of five (5) feet off the rear property line.
    4. Vehicles described in paragraphs (a) and (b) are not permitted on vacant or undeveloped parcels.

1. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish storm water management requirements and controls to prevent surface water quality degradation to the extent practicable in the streams and lakes within the Town Limits and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction of Huntersville and to protect and safeguard the general health, safety, and welfare of Huntersville’s residents. This ordinance seeks to meet this purpose by fulfilling the following objectives:
   1. Minimize increases in storm water runoff from development or redevelopment in order to reduce flooding, siltation and stream bank erosion, and maintain the integrity of stream channels;
   2. Minimize increases in non-point source pollution caused by storm water runoff from development or redevelopment that would otherwise degrade local water quality;
   3. Minimize the total volume of surface water runoff that flows from developed sites in order to replicate pre-development hydrology to the maximum extent practicable;
   4. Reduce storm water runoff rates and volumes, soil erosion and non-point source pollution, to the extent practicable, through storm water management controls, improved site design or Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) and to ensure that these management controls are properly maintained and pose no threat to public health or safety; and
   5. Meet the requirements of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Storm Water Permit and other requirements as established by the Clean Water Act.
      
      This ordinance and the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual require the use of Low Impact Development (LID) SCMs that utilize infiltration, evaporation, retention and detention as well as biological and physical processes to more closely replicate pre-development hydrology characteristics and reduce negative water quality impacts.
2. Applicability. This ordinance shall apply to all of the land located within the Town Limits and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction of Huntersville. The effective date of this ordinance is June 30, 2007. This ordinance governs the development and use of all land and structures. No building, structure, or land shall be used, occupied or altered, and no building, structure, or part thereof shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, enlarged, or structurally altered, unless in conformity with all the provisions of this ordinance and all other applicable regulations, except as otherwise provided by this ordinance.
3. Exceptions to Applicability.
   1. All properties shall be subject to this ordinance except those properties which, as of the effective date of June 30, 2007, fit into one of the following categories:
      1. Have been issued a Certificate of Building Code Compliance;
      2. Have a valid building permit;
      3. Are included on a valid preliminary subdivision plan and/or a valid sketch plan; or
      4. Are included in a complete conditional rezoning application and subdivision sketch plan submitted by May 1, 2007.
   2. Redevelopment of non-single family homes that disturbs less than 20,000 square feet, does not decrease existing storm water controls, is not part of a larger common plan of development or sale, and renovation and/or construction costs do not exceed 100% of the tax value of the property is not subject to the provisions of this ordinance.
   3. Residential development activity that disturbs less than one acre of land and is not part of a larger common plan of development or sale, including new development, redevelopment or expansions, is not subject to the provisions of this ordinance.
   4. Non-residential development activity that disturbs less than 1/2 acre of land and is not part of a larger common plan of development or sale, including new development, redevelopment or expansions, is not subject to the provisions of this ordinance.
   5. This Article shall not require private property owners to install new or increased stormwater controls for (i) preexisting development or (ii) redevelopment activities that do not remove or decrease existing stormwater controls. When a preexisting development is redeveloped, either in whole or in part, increased stormwater controls shall only be required for the amount of impervious surface being created that exceeds the amount of impervious surface that existed before the redevelopment, irrespective of whether the impervious surface that existed before the redevelopment is to be demolished or relocated during the development activity. A property owner may elect to treat the stormwater resulting from the net increase in built-upon area above the preexisting development for the purpose of exceeding allowable density under the applicable water supply watershed rules as provided in G.S. 143-214.5(d3) and as further described in Article 3.
      
4. No Development or Redevelopment Until Compliance and Permit. No development or redevelopment shall occur except in compliance with the provisions of this ordinance or unless exempted. No development for which a permit is required pursuant to this ordinance shall occur except in compliance with the provisions, conditions, and limitations of the permit.
5. Map. The provisions of this ordinance shall apply within the areas designated on the map titled “Post-Construction Ordinance Map of the Town of Huntersville, North Carolina” (hereafter referred to as the “Post-Construction Ordinance Map”), which is adopted simultaneously herewith. The Post-Construction Ordinance Map and all explanatory matter contained thereon accompanies and is hereby made a part of this ordinance. The Post-Construction Ordinance Map shall be kept on file by the Storm Water Administrator or designee (hereinafter referred to as the “Storm Water Administrator”) and shall be updated to take into account changes in the land area covered by this ordinance and the geographic location of all structural SCMs permitted under this ordinance. In the event of a dispute, the applicability of this ordinance to a particular area of land or SCM shall be determined by appeal through the Storm Water Administrator.
6. Definitions. For the purposes of this ordinance, the following words and phrases shall be defined as specified below:
   
   Administrative Manual. A manual developed by the Storm Water Administrator and distributed to the public to provide information for the effective administration of this ordinance, including but not limited to application requirements, submission schedule, fee schedule, operation and maintenance agreements, criteria for recordation of documents, inspection report forms, requirements for submittal of bonds, and a copy of this ordinance.
   
   .
   Built-Upon Area (BUA). Impervious surface and partially impervious surface the the extent that the partially impervious surface does not allow water to infiltrate through the surface and into the subsoil.
   
   For the purposes of this section, none of the following surfaces shall be considered "built-upon area" or an impervious or partially impervious surface:
   
   (1) A slatted deck.
   (2) The water area of a swimming pool.
   (3) A surface of number 57 stone, as designated by the American Society for Testing and Materials, laid at least four inches thick over a geotextile fabric.
   (4) A trail as defined by G.S. 113A-85 that is either unpaved or paved as long as the pavement is porous with hydraulic conductivity greater than 0.001 centimeters per second (1.41 inches per hour),
   (5) Landscaping material, including, but not limited to, gravel, mulch, sand, and vegetation, placed on areas that receive pedestrian or bicycle traffic or on portions of driveways and parking areas that will not be compacted by the weight of a vehicle, such as the area between sections of pavement that support the weight of a vehicle.
   (6) Artificial turf, manufactured to allow water to drain through the backing of the turf, and installed according to the manufacturer's specifications over a pervious surface.
   
   Charlotte-Mecklenburg SCM Design Manual. A document that contains designs for SCMs. The Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual and/or this ordinance indicate the designs from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg SCM Design Manual that are approved for use in the Town of Huntersville for compliance with this ordinance. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg SCM Design Manual shall be approved for use in the Town of Huntersville by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and shall be at least as stringent as the storm water design manual approved for use in Phase II jurisdictions by the Department for the proper implementation of the requirements of the federal Phase II storm water program. All references herein to the Charlotte-MecklenburgSCM Design Manual are to the latest published edition or revision.
   
   Conventional SCMs. Storm water treatment devices that are not LID SCMs as defined below in “Definitions.”
   
   Detain. To store and slowly release storm water runoff following precipitation by means of a surface depression or tank and an outlet structure. Detention structures are commonly used for pollutant removal, water storage, and peak flow reduction.
   
   Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual. The document that contains the approved SCM designs and other information necessary for compliance with this ordinance. The Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual shall be approved for use in the Town of Huntersville by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and shall be at least as stringent as the storm water design manual approved for use in Phase II jurisdictions by the Department for the proper implementation of the requirements of the federal Phase II storm water program. All references herein to the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual are to the latest published edition or revision.
   
   Hydrologic Abstractions. Physical processes of interception of rainfall or overland storm water flow by vegetation, evaporation from land surfaces and upper soil layers, transpiration by plants, infiltration of water into soil surfaces, and storage of water in surface depressions.
   
   Low Impact Development (LID) Approach. A technology-based system for managing urban storm water runoff that combines a hydrologically functional site design with pollution prevention measures to compensate for land development impacts on hydrology and water quality. To be effective, the LID approach must be applied to every phase of site planning, design, development and post-construction control for the purpose of mimicking predevelopment site hydrology by storing, infiltrating, evaporating and detaining storm water runoff. Examples of the LID Approach include reducing impervious surfaces, managing storm water closer to the source and avoiding large centralized management devices, phased grading, and vegetated conveyances instead of storm drain piping.
   
   Low Impact Development (LID) SCMs. Decentralized, structural storm water treatment devices that utilize infiltration, evaporation, retention and detention as well as biological and physical processes to more closely replicate pre-development hydrology characteristics and reduce negative water quality impacts. Examples of LID SCMs include bio retention systems, sand filters, and vegetated filter strips.
   
   Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency. The department or division of Mecklenburg County government (regardless of the title given to it by Mecklenburg County) which has responsibility for storm water and water quality matters, acting as the agent of the Town of Huntersville for various purposes in connection with the enforcement of this ordinance.
   
   National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. A permit issued pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act for the purpose of controlling discharges of pollutants to surface waters and protecting water quality. In North Carolina, NPDES Permits are issued by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
   
   Non-Point Source (NPS) Pollution. Forms of pollution caused by sediment, nutrients, organic and toxic substances originating from land use activities and carried to lakes and streams by surface runoff.
   
   Retain. To capture and hold storm water runoff following precipitation by means of surface depression allowing the water to infiltrate into the soil, thus reducing the hydrologic and pollution impacts downstream. Retention structures are commonly used for pollutant removal, water storage, and peak flow reduction.
   
   Storm Water Administrator. The Mecklenburg County Water Quality Program Manager that has been designated by the Town of Huntersville Board of Commissioners to administer and enforce this ordinance.
   
   Stormwater Control Measure (SCMs). A structural or non-structural management based practice used singularly or in combination to reduce non-point source input to receiving waters in order to achieve water quality protection goals described as follows:
   
   a. Non-structural SCMs - Non-engineering methods to control the amount of non-point source pollution. These may include land-use controls and vegetative buffers.
   b. Structural SCMs - Engineered structures that are designed to reduce the delivery of pollutants from their source or to divert contaminants away from a water body.
   
   
   Storm Water Management Permit. A permit required for all development and redevelopment unless exempt pursuant to this ordinance, which demonstrates compliance with this ordinance.
   
   Total Suspended Solids (TSS). Total suspended matter in water, which is commonly expressed as a concentration in terms of milligrams per liter (mg/l) or parts per million (ppm).
7. Interpretation.
   1. Meaning and Intent. All provisions, terms, phrases, and expressions contained in this ordinance shall be construed according to the general and specific purposes set forth in Section 8.17.1, Purpose. If a different or more specific meaning is given for a term defined elsewhere in the Town of Huntersville ordinances, the meaning and application of the term in this ordinance shall control for purposes of application of this ordinance.
   2. Text Controls in Event of Conflict. In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between the text of this ordinance and any heading, caption, figure, illustration, table, or map, the text shall control.
   3. Authority for Interpretation. The Storm Water Administrator has authority to interpret this ordinance. Any person may request an interpretation by submitting a written request to the Storm Water Administrator who shall respond in writing within 30 days. The Storm Water Administrator shall keep on file a record of all written interpretations of this ordinance.
   4. References to Statutes, Regulations, and Documents. Whenever reference is made to a resolution, ordinance, statute, regulation, manual (including the Design and Administrative Manuals), or document, it shall be construed as a reference to the most recent edition of such that has been finalized and published with due provision for notice and comment, unless otherwise specifically stated.
   5. Computation of Time. The time in which an act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last day. If a deadline or required date of action falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday observed by the Town of Huntersville, the deadline or required date of action shall be the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or holiday observed by the Town of Huntersville. References to days are calendar days unless otherwise stated.
   6. Delegation of Authority. Any act authorized by this ordinance to be carried out by the Storm Water Administrator of the Town of Huntersville may be carried out by his or her designee.
   7. Usage.
      1. Mandatory and Discretionary Terms. The words “shall,” “must,” and “will” are mandatory in nature, establishing an obligation or duty to comply with the particular provision. The words “may” and “should” are permissive in nature.
      2. Conjunctions. Unless the context clearly indicates the contrary, conjunctions shall be interpreted as follows: The word “and” indicates that all connected items, conditions, provisions or events apply. The word “or” indicates that one or more of the connected items, conditions, provisions or events apply.
      3. Tense, Plurals, and Gender. Words used in the present tense include the future tense. Words used in the singular number include the plural number and the plural number includes the singular number, unless the context of the particular usage clearly indicates otherwise. Words used in the masculine gender include the feminine gender, and vice versa.
   8. Measurement and Computation. Lot area refers to the amount of horizontal land area contained inside the lot lines of a lot or site.
8. Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual.
   1. Reference to the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual. The Storm Water Administrator shall use the policy, criteria, and information, including technical specifications and standards, in the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual as the basis for decisions about Storm Water Management Permits and about the design, implementation and performance of structural and non-structural storm water SCMs. The Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual includes acceptable SCMs for compliance with ordinance requirements, including the specific design criteria for each SCM. SCMs that are designed and constructed in accordance with these criteria will be presumed to meet the minimum water quality performance standards of this ordinance and the federal Phase II Storm Water Rules. Failure to construct SCMs in accordance with these criteria may subject the violator to a civil penalty as described in this ordinance.
   2. Relationship of the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual to Other Laws and Regulations. If the specifications or guidelines of the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual are more restrictive or apply a higher standard than other laws or regulations, that fact shall not prevent application of the specifications or guidelines in the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual.
   3. Changes to Standards and Specifications. Standards, specifications, guidelines, policies, criteria, or other information in the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual in affect at the time of acceptance of a complete application shall control and shall be utilized in reviewing the application and in implementing this ordinance with regard to the application.
   Amendments to the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual. Subject to Huntersville Planning Director approval, the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual may be updated and expanded from time to time, based on advancements in technology and engineering, improved knowledge of local conditions, or local monitoring or maintenance experience. Prior to amending or updating the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual, proposed changes shall be generally publicized and made available for review, and an opportunity for comment by interested persons shall be provided.
9. Relationships to Other Laws, Regulations and Private Agreements.
   1. Conflict of Laws. This ordinance is not intended to modify or repeal any other ordinance, rule, regulation or other provision of law. The requirements of this ordinance are in addition to the requirements of any other ordinance, rule, regulation or other provision of law, and where any provision of this ordinance imposes restrictions different from those imposed by any other ordinance, rule, regulation or other provision of law, whichever provision is more restrictive or imposes higher protective standards for human or environmental health, safety, and welfare, shall control.
   2. Private Agreements. This ordinance is not intended to revoke or repeal any easement, covenant, or other private agreement. However, where the regulations of this ordinance are more restrictive or impose higher standards or requirements than such easement, covenant, or other private agreement, then the requirements of this ordinance shall govern. Nothing in this ordinance shall modify or repeal any private covenant or deed restriction, but such covenant or restriction shall not legitimize any failure to comply with this ordinance. In no case shall the Town of Huntersville be obligated to enforce the provisions of any easements, covenants, or agreements between private parties.
10. Severability. If the provisions of any section, subsection, paragraph, subdivision or clause of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not affect or invalidate the remainder of any section, subsection, paragraph, subdivision or clause of this ordinance.
11. Effective Date and Transitional Provisions.
    1. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect on June 30, 2007.
    2. Violations Continue. Any violation of the provisions of this ordinance existing as of the effective date of this ordinance shall continue to be a violation under this ordinance and be subject to penalties and enforcement unless the use, development, construction, or other activity complies with the provisions of this ordinance.
12. Performance Criteria. All development and redevelopment to which this ordinance applies shall comply with all the Performance Criteria of this section unless mitigation requirements are satisfied as described in Section 8.17.15 of this ordinance. The Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual contains a list of SCMs approved for meeting these criteria. The specific design criteria for these SCMs are contained in the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual as well as other State and/or local design manuals as specifically referenced in Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual.
    1. Performance Criteria for Low Density Projects. Any project is considered low density when said project has less than or equal to 12% built upon area as determined by the methodology established in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg SCM Design Manual. Such low density projects shall comply with each of the following standards.
       1. Vegetated Conveyances. Storm water runoff from the development shall be transported from the development by vegetated conveyances to the maximum extent practicable.
       2. Built-Upon Area Setbacks. All built-upon area for development and redevelopment subject to the requirements of this ordinance shall be at a minimum of 30 feet landward of all perennial and intermittent surface waters. This built-upon area setback can be located within the water quality buffer area. Surface water shall be delineated in the field by a certified professional using U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and/or N.C. Division of Water Quality methodology.
          1. Based on a Variance issued pursuant to Section 11.3 of this ordinance, unnecessary hardships would result from the strict application of this requirement or as provided in Section 8.25.10.
          2. Based on a determination by the Storm Water Administrator, a lack of practical alternatives exists for accomplishing the basic purpose of the project in a manner that would avoid or result in less adverse impact to surface waters considering the potential for a reduction in size, configuration, or density and all alternative designs.
       3. Stream Buffers. The S.W.I.M. Stream Buffer requirements as described in Section 8.25 of this ordinance shall apply to low density projects.
    2. Performance Criteria for High Density Projects. Any project is considered high density when said project has greater than 12% built upon area as determined by the methodology established in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg SCM Design Manual. Such high density projects shall comply with each of the following standards:
       1. Built-Upon Area Setbacks. All built-upon area for development and redevelopment subject to the requirements of this ordinance shall be at a minimum of 30 feet landward of all perennial and intermittent surface waters. This built-upon area setback can be located within the water quality buffer area. Surface water shall be delineated in the field by a certified professional using U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and/or N.C. Division of Water Quality methodology.
          1. Based on a Variance issued pursuant to Section 11.3 of this ordinance, unnecessary hardships would result from the strict application of this requirement or as provided in Section 8.25.10.
          2. Based on a determination by the Storm Water Administrator, a lack of practical alternatives exists for accomplishing the basic propose of the project in a manner that would avoid or result in less adverse impact to surface waters considering the potential for a reduction in size, configuration, or density and all alternative designs.
       2. Stream Buffers. The S.W.I.M. Stream Buffer requirements as described in Section 8.25 of this ordinance shall apply to high density projects.
       3. Storm Water Quality Treatment Volume. Storm water quality treatment systems shall treat the runoff generated from the first inch of rainfall.
       4. Storm Water Quality Treatment Standard. All SCMs used to meet these Performance Criteria shall be designed to achieve an average annual 85% Total Suspended Solids (TSS) removal for the developed area of the site. LID SCMs or a combination of LID and Conventional SCMs as described in the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual shall be used to meet these water quality Performance Criteria. If a combination of LID and Conventional SCMs is used, then at a minimum the first 50% of the runoff from the one (1) inch storm event must be treated using LID SCMs. The remaining percentage shall be treated using Conventional SCMs capable of achieving the above described pollutant removal efficiency. No one bio retention SCM shall exceed 5,000 square feet of soil media surface area.
       5. Storm Water Treatment System Design. General engineering design criteria for all projects shall be in accordance with 15A NCAC 2H .1008(c), as explained in the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual.
       6. Storm Water Volume Control. LID SCMs or a combination of LID and Conventional SCMs shall be used to control and treat the increase in storm water runoff volume associated with post-construction conditions as compared with pre-construction (existing) conditions for the 2-year frequency, 24-hour duration storm event in the Rural and Transitional Zoning Districts. For all other Zoning Districts, LID SCMs or a combination of LID and Conventional SCMs shall be used to control and treat the increase in storm water runoff volume associated with post-construction conditions as compared with pre-construction (existing) conditions for the 1-year frequency, 24-hour duration storm event. Where any storm water SCM employs the use of a temporary water quality storage pool as a part of its treatment system, the drawdown time shall be a minimum of 48 hours and a maximum of 120 hours.
       7. Storm Water Volume Peak Control. The peak storm water runoff release rates leaving the site during post-construction conditions shall be equal to or less than the pre-development peak storm water runoff release rates for the 2-year frequency, 24-hour duration storm event and 10-year frequency, 24-hour duration storm event. The emergency overflow and outlet works for any pond or wetland constructed as storm water SCM shall be capable of safely passing a discharge with a minimum recurrence frequency of 50 years. For detention basins, the temporary storage capacity shall be restored within 72 hours. Requirements of the Dam Safety Act shall be met when applicable.
13. Low Impact Development (LID) Approach. The Low Impact Development (LID) Approach is a technology-based system for managing urban storm water runoff that combines a hydrological functional site design with pollution prevention measures to compensate for land development impacts on hydrology and water quality. To be effective, the LID Approach must be applied to every phase of site planning, design, development and post-construction control for the purpose of mimicking predevelopment site hydrology by storing, infiltrating, evaporating and detaining storm water runoff. Examples of the LID Approach include reducing impervious surfaces, managing storm water closer to the source and avoiding large centralized management devices, phased grading, and vegetated conveyances instead of storm drain piping. The principal goal of the LID Approach is to ensure maximum protection of the ecological integrity of the receiving waters by maintaining the watershed’s hydrologic regime. In contrast, the conventional approach to storm water management seeks to alter the watershed’s hydrologic regime by conveying runoff into a piping system and centralized storm water management devices to quickly and efficiently remove storm water from the development site. Most development practices follow this conventional approach to storm water management. The use of the LID Approach is not required by this ordinance but is strongly encouraged. One of the post-construction components of the LID Approach is the LID SCM, which is a single structural device that utilizes the LID principles of infiltration, evaporation, retention and detention as well as biological and physical processes to treat storm water runoff. The use of LID SCMs is required by this ordinance unless mitigation practices are approved and implemented. The purpose of this Section of the ordinance is to encourage the use of the LID Approach along with LID SCMs, which is most effective and efficient combination for managing storm water runoff and facilitating compliance with the Purpose of this ordinance as described in Section 8.17.1. The LID Approach and LID SCMs are further defined and explained in the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual.
14. Standards for Storm Water Control Measures.
    1. Evaluation According to Contents of Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual. All storm water SCMs required under this ordinance shall be evaluated by the Storm Water Administrator according to the policies, criteria, and information, including technical specifications, standards and the specific design criteria for each SCM contained in the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual. The Storm Water Administrator shall determine whether these measures will be adequate to meet the requirements of this ordinance.
    2. Determination of Adequacy. SCMs that are designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with the criteria and specifications in the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual will be presumed to meet the minimum water quality and quantity performance standards of this ordinance. Whenever an applicant proposes to utilize a practice or practices not designed and constructed in accordance with the criteria and specifications in the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual, the applicant shall have the burden of demonstrating that the practice(s) will satisfy the minimum water quality and quantity performance standards of this ordinance before it can be approved for use. The Storm Water Administrator may require the applicant to provide such documentation, calculations, and examples as necessary for the Storm Water Administrator to determine whether such an affirmative showing is made.
    3. Submittal of Digital Records. Upon submittal of as-built surveys, the location of storm drainage pipes, inlets and outlets as well as the location of all structural SCMs must be delivered to the Storm Water Administrator in the digital format specified in the Administrative Manual.
15. LID Mitigation Options.
    1. General Description.
       1. Mitigation Allowed. Developments with greater than or equal to 50% built-upon area based on lot size shall be allowed to forgo the use of LID SCMs on the development site for compliance with this ordinance provided:
          1. A mitigation option is approved and successfully implemented for the development;
          2. Conventional SCMs are designed, constructed, and maintained on the development site to achieve an average annual 85% Total Suspended Solids (TSS) removal for the developed area of the site in accordance with the criteria and specifications in the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual; and
          3. The development site achieves full compliance with the Performance Criteria contained in Section 8.17.12(b) 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 of this ordinance.
       2. LID Mitigation Options. There are two (2) LID mitigation options available to developments greater than or equal to 50% built-upon area, including off-site and buy-down mitigation. Both off-site and buy-down mitigation shall result in the construction of retrofit projects in the same river basin in the Town of Huntersville (Catawba or Yadkin) as the development site.
    2. Criteria for Off-Site Mitigation Option.
       1. Off-Site LID SCM Construction. The owner or designee of the development site shall satisfy the off-site mitigation option by constructing a SCM retrofit project off-site and in the same river basin in the Town of Huntersville (Catawba or Yadkin) as the development site. The project shall be designed and constructed to achieve a net mass removal of pollutants greater than or equal to the pollutant load associated with the difference between the pollutant removal efficiencies for LID versus Conventional SCMs at the development site treating runoff from the first one (1) inch of rainfall. The Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual shall contain the criteria for satisfying this requirement.
       2. Off-Site Mitigation Application. The Storm Water Administrator shall receive, review, approve, disapprove or approve with conditions an “Application for Off-Site Mitigation.” The Storm Water Administrator shall design this application to include all pertinent information. This application shall be submitted with the Concept Plan Application. The Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual shall contain information regarding the proper completion and submittal of this application.
       3. Criteria for Approval of Off-Site Mitigation. The criteria for approval of off-site mitigation by the Storm Water Administrator are as follows:
          1. SCM(s) shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with the criteria and specifications in the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual.
          2. SCM(s) shall be sized for the corresponding watershed area according to the approved design standards in the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual.
          3. SCM(s) shall be inspected by the Storm Water Administrator and found to be in compliance with all approved plans and specifications prior to the approval of the SCM As-Built Survey Package, passing final inspection, and release of occupancy permits for the development site.
          4. All off-site mitigation SCMs shall be subject to the maintenance requirements as well as installation and maintenance performance securities specified in this ordinance and the Administrative Manual.
    3. Criteria for Buy-Down Mitigation Option.
       1. Payment of Mitigation Fee. Buy-Down mitigation shall be satisfied by payment to the Town of Huntersville of a fee established by the Storm Water Administrator to cover the cost for installation by the Town or its designee of a mitigation project in the same river basin (Catawba or Yadkin) as the development site. The project shall be designed and constructed to achieve a net mass removal of pollutants greater than or equal to the pollutant load associated with the difference between the pollutant removal efficiencies for LID versus Conventional SCMs at the development site treating runoff from the first one (1) inch of rainfall. The Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual shall contain the criteria for satisfying these requirements.
       2. Buy-Down Mitigation Application. The Storm Water Administrator shall receive, review, approve, disapprove or approve with conditions an “Application for Buy-Down Mitigation.” The Storm Water Administrator shall design this application to include all pertinent information. This application shall be submitted with the Concept Plan Application. The Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual shall contain information regarding the proper completion and submittal of this application.
       3. Criteria for Approval of Buy-Down Mitigation. The criteria for approval of buy-down mitigation by the Storm Water Administrator are as follows:
          1. The buy-down option shall not be approved by the Storm Water Administrator unless projects and/or properties are available for mitigation at the time the “Application for Buy-Down Mitigation” is received.
          2. There is no time constraint for the Town of Huntersville to spend mitigation money; however, the Town of Huntersville shall strive to spend buy-down monies in a timely and efficient manner such that a net improvement in water quality results.
          3. All projects constructed by the Town of Huntersville as part of this mitigation option shall be maintained by the Town of Huntersville or its designee into perpetuity.
    4. Mitigation for Development and Redevelopment on Lots Less Than One Acre. Development and redevelopment on a lot less than one (1) acre in size are allowed by right to forego meeting the requirements of this article, provided the following criteria are met:
       1. The lot has been described by metes and bounds in a recorded deed or shown on a recorded plat prior to July 1, 2007;
       2. Development and redevelopment on the lot are not part of a larger common plan of development or sale, even though multiple, separate or distinct activities take place at different times on different schedules;
       3. Stream Buffer requirements are fulfilled as described in Section 8.25 of this ordinance; and
       4. Mitigation is provided by fulfilling at least one (1) of the three (3) criteria described in Subsection f) below.
    5. Mitigation for Redevelopment in the Town Center Zoning District. Redevelopment projects in the Town Center Zoning District for the Town of Huntersville are allowed by right to forego meeting the requirements of this article, provided the following criteria are met:
       1. Stream Buffer requirements are fulfilled as described in Section 8.25 of this ordinance;
       2. Mitigation is provided by fulfilling at least one (1) of the three (3) criteria described in Subsection f) below; and
       3. If there is no net increase in existing built-upon area, including built-upon area that is removed as part of the redevelopment, and there is no decrease in existing storm water controls, then there is no limit on the amount of disturbed area, or
       4. If there is a net increase in existing built-upon area, including built-upon area that is removed as part of the redevelopment, or there is a decrease in existing storm water controls, then the amount of total disturbed area on the site must be less than one (1) acre.
    6. Criteria for Development and Redevelopment Mitigation. One (1) of the following three (3) criteria must be fulfilled to satisfy the mitigation requirement for development and redevelopment projects described in Subsection d) and e) above:
       1. Storm Water Quality Treatment requirements are met on site as described in Section 8.17.12(b)(3), (4) and (5) of this ordinance with LID or Conventional SCMs allowed;
       2. Storm Water Volume and Peak Control requirements are met on site as described in Section 8.17.12(b)(6) and (7) of this ordinance; or
       3. The Town is paid a mitigation fee prorated at $60,000 per acre for all projects except single-family residential that will be prorated at $45,000 per acre for the untreated post-project built-upon-area. This fee shall be used to cover the cost for installation by the Town or its designee of a mitigation project(s) capable of achieving a net mass removal of pollutants greater than or equal to the pollutant removal that would have been achieved by SCMs installed at the development site in full compliance with ordinance requirements. The mitigation project(s), as determined by the Town, must be located in the same named lake or stream watershed that is receiving storm water discharge from the development site, including Lake Norman, Mountain Island Lake, McDowell Creek, Gar Creek, Ramah Creek, and Clarke Creek. An exception to the location of the mitigation project can be made if the Storm Water Administrator determines there are no viable mitigation projects in that watershed provided mitigation is done in the Town of Huntersville zoning jurisdiction.
16. Administration and Procedures.
    1. Storm Water Administrator.
       1. Designation. The Mecklenburg County Water Quality Program Manager has been designated as the Storm Water Administrator by the Town of Huntersville for the purpose of administering and enforcing this ordinance. Any act authorized by this ordinance to be carried out by the Storm Water Administrator of the Town of Huntersville may be carried out by his or her designee.
       2. Powers and Duties. In addition to the powers and duties that may be conferred by other provisions of other laws, the Storm Water Administrator shall have the following powers and duties under this ordinance.
          1. To review and approve or disapprove applications submitted pursuant to this ordinance.
          2. To make determinations and render interpretations of this ordinance.
          3. To establish application requirements and schedules for submittal and review of applications and appeals.
          4. To enforce this ordinance in accordance with its enforcement provisions.
          5. To maintain records, maps, and official materials as relate to the adoption, amendment, enforcement, or administration of this ordinance.
          6. To provide expertise and technical assistance upon request to the Huntersville Town Board.
          7. To designate appropriate other person(s) who shall carry out the powers and duties of the Storm Water Administrator.
          8. To provide information and recommendations relative to variances and information as requested by the Town of Huntersville in response to appeals.
          9. To take any other action necessary to administer the provisions of this ordinance.
    2. Administrative Manual. For applications required under this ordinance, the Storm Water Administrator shall compile into an Administrative Manual the application requirements, submittal checklist, submission schedule, fee schedule, operation and maintenance agreements, a copy of this ordinance, and other information and materials necessary for the effective administration of this ordinance. This Administrative Manual shall be made available to the public.
    3. Review Procedures.
       1. Permit Required. A Storm Water Management Permit is required for all development and redevelopment unless exempt pursuant to this ordinance. A permit may only be issued subsequent to a properly submitted, reviewed and approved permit application, pursuant to this Section. The content and form of the permit shall be established by the Storm Water Administrator.
       2. Effect of Permit. A Storm Water Management Permit shall govern the design, installation, and construction of storm water management and control practices on the site, including structural SCMs and elements of site design for storm water management other than structural SCMs. The permit is intended to provide a mechanism for the review, approval, and inspection of the approach to be used for the management and control of storm water for the development or redevelopment site consistent with the requirements of this ordinance. Compliance after project construction is assured by the maintenance provision of this ordinance.
       3. Authority to File Applications. All applications required pursuant to this ordinance shall be submitted to the Storm Water Administrator by the land owner or the land owner’s duly authorized agent or anyone having interest in the property by reason of a written contract with the owner.
       4. Establishment of Application Requirements, Schedules, and Fees.
          1. The Storm Water Administrator shall establish requirements for the content and form of all applications and shall amend and update those requirements from time to time. Two (2) applications are required for submittal, including the Concept Plan Application and Storm Water Management Permit Application.
          2. The Storm Water Administrator shall establish a submission schedule for applications. The schedule shall establish deadlines by which complete applications must be submitted for the purpose of ensuring that there is adequate time to review applications, and that the various stages in the review process are accommodated.
          3. The Town of Huntersville shall establish permit review fees as well as policies regarding refund of any fees upon withdrawal of an application, and may amend and update the fees and policies from time to time.
       5. Consultations. An applicant may request consultation(s) on a Concept Plan Application for the post-construction storm water management system to be utilized in the proposed development project. This consultation meeting(s) should take place at the time of the preliminary plan of the subdivision or other early step in the development process. The purpose of this meeting(s) is to discuss the post-construction storm water management measures necessary for the proposed project, as well as to discuss and assess constraints, opportunities and potential approaches to storm water management designs before formal site design engineering is commenced.
       6. Submittal of Applications.
          1. A Concept Plan. Application shall be submitted to the Storm Water Administrator for review prior to the submittal of the Storm Water Management Permit Application. This Concept Plan Application shall include the information necessary to evaluate the proposed development site for compliance with Performance Criteria as detailed in the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual.
          2. A Storm Water Management Permit Application shall be submitted to the Storm Water Administrator for review following the approval of the Concept Plan Application. This Storm Water Management Permit Application shall detail how post-construction storm water runoff will be controlled and managed and how the proposed project will meet the requirements of this ordinance. The application shall also include the design of all storm water facilities and practices, supporting computations, drawings, soil analyses, calculations for each SCM, site hydrology calculations, and other information sufficient to describe the manner, location, and type of measures for managing storm water from the development in compliance with this ordinance. All design plans submitted with the application shall be prepared by a registered North Carolina professional engineer or landscape architect. The engineer or landscape architect shall perform services only in their area of competence, and shall verify that the design of all storm water management facilities and practices meets the submittal requirements for complete applications, that the designs and plans are sufficient to comply with applicable standards and policies found in the Huntersville Water Quality Design Manual, and that the designs and plans ensure compliance with this ordinance. The submittal shall include all of the information required in the submittal checklist established by the Storm Water Administrator. Incomplete submittals shall be treated pursuant to Section 8.17.16(c)(7).
       7. Submittal of Complete Application. Applications shall be submitted to the Storm Water Administrator pursuant to the application submittal schedule in the form established by the Storm Water Administrator, along with the appropriate fee established pursuant to this Section. An application shall be considered as timely submitted only when it contains all elements of a complete application pursuant to this ordinance, along with the appropriate fee. If the Storm Water Administrator finds that an application is incomplete, the applicant shall be notified of the deficient elements and shall be provided with an opportunity to submit a complete application. However, the submittal of an incomplete application shall not suffice to meet a deadline contained in the submission schedule established above.
       8. Application Review. Within 20 working days after a complete application is submitted, the Storm Water Administrator shall review the application and determine whether the application complies with the standards of this ordinance.
          1. If the Storm Water Administrator finds that the application complies with the standards of this ordinance, the Storm Water Administrator shall approve the application and issue a Storm Water Management Permit to the applicant. The Storm Water Administrator may impose conditions of approval as needed to ensure compliance with this ordinance. The conditions shall be included in the permit as part of the approval.
          2. If the Storm Water Administrator finds that the application fails to comply with the standards of this ordinance, the Storm Water Administrator shall notify the applicant and shall indicate how the application fails to comply. The applicant shall have an opportunity to submit a revised application.
          3. A complete revised application shall be reviewed by the Storm Water Administrator within 15 working days after its re-submittal and shall be approved, approved with conditions or disapproved. If a revised application is not re-submitted within sixty (60) calendar days from the date the applicant was notified, the application shall be considered withdrawn, and a new submittal for the same or substantially the same project shall be required along with the appropriate fee.
17. As-Built Surveys and Final Approval. Once a drainage area (as defined by the Administrative Manual) has been constructed and stabilized per the North Carolina Erosion and Sediment Control Field Manual sufficient to construct the storm water control measures (SCM), or has been idle for one(1) year with more than 24% BUA, the owner shall construct the permanent stormwater management facilities within six months. The applicant shall certify that the completed project is in accordance with the approved plans and designs, and shall submit actual “as-built” surveys for all storm water management facilities or practices within 60 days of the completion of the SCM construction with continuous effort applied towards approval status of the As-Built Survey as determined by the Storm Water Administrator. Failure to construct and obtain approved as-built surveys within the time frame specified by the Storm Water Administrator may result in assessment of penalties.
    
    As-built surveys shall show the final design specifications for all storm water management facilities and practices and the field location, size, depth, and planted vegetation of all measures, controls, and devices, as installed. The designer of the storm water management measures and plans shall certify, under seal, that the as-built storm water measures, controls, and devices are in compliance with the approved plans and designs and with the requirements of this ordinance. The exact boundary of all storm water management measures shall be shown on final plats prepared by a registered surveyor. Further, final plats shall contain the following statement: "This lot contains a storm water management structure that must be maintained in accordance with the recorded Maintenance Agreement as specified in the Huntersville Zoning Ordinance.”
    
    Final approved as-built surveys and a final passing inspection and approval by the Storm Water Administrator are all required before a project is determined to be in compliance with this ordinance and before performance securities shall be released. At the discretion of the Storm Water Administrator, certificates of occupancy may be withheld pending receipt of as-built surveys and the completion of a final inspection and approval of a project.
    
    Upon submittal of as-built surveys, the location of storm drainage pipes, inlets and outlets as well as the location of all SCMs must be delivered to the Storm Water Administrator in the digital format specified in the Administrative Manual.
18. Approvals.
    1. Effect of Approval. Approval authorizes the applicant to go forward with only the specific plans and activity authorized in the permit. The approval shall not be construed to exempt the applicant from obtaining other applicable approvals from local, state, and federal authorities.
       1. Time Limit/Expiration. A Storm Water Management Permit and accompanying plan approved under the provisions of this ordinance shall remain valid for a period of three (3) years from the date of approval. If no work on the site in furtherance of the plan has commenced within the three-year period, the permit and plan approval will become null and void and a new application will be required to develop the site. If work on the site in furtherance of the plan has commenced that involves any utility installations or street improvements except grading, the permit and plan shall remain valid and in force and the project may be completed in accordance with the approved plan.
19. Incentives.
    1. Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to set forth incentives to offset restrictions that LID may have on the development of certain sites.
    2. Setbacks. In order to accommodate water quality SCMs, required setbacks, side yards and rear yards in the Rural and Transitional Zoning Districts may be reduced up to 25%. The reductions may not compromise public safety such as the site distance triangles as defined by this Zoning Ordinance. It also must not compromise buffer widths or the 30-foot setback described in Section 8.17.12 of this ordinance.
    3. Sidewalks. To reduce impervious cover and promote LID, sidewalks on one side of the street may be waived in the Rural Zoning District.
    4. Required Plant Reduction and Substitution. In order to accommodate water quality SCMs, the number of planted trees may be reduced in buffer yards by 10%, 50% of the required trees may be 1.5 inches in caliper, and all shrubs may be 24 inches in height.
    5. Encroachments. Water quality SCMs may encroach into a required buffer yard as long as the encroachment does not disturb existing vegetation. Minor understory may be disturbed in order to accommodate water quality structures. Trees and shrubs shall be placed to maximize screening where the encroachment takes place. If the encroachment runs parallel to the buffer, the width of the buffer shall be increased by the amount of the encroachment.
20. Appeals and Variances. An appeal to reverse or modify the order, decision, determination, or interpretation of the Storm Water Administrator or any other designated administrative officer as well as a request for variance from any of the requirements contained in this ordinance shall comply with the procedures and standards of Section 11.3 of this ordinance.
21. Posting of Financial Security. Approval of a Storm Water Management Permit Application shall be subject to the owner executing an Operation and Maintenance Agreement and filing a surety bond, letter of credit, or making other financial arrangements in favor of Mecklenburg County as agent for the Town of Huntersville acceptable to the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency guaranteeing the installation and maintenance of required SCMs until the issuance of certificates of occupancy for seventy-five percent (75%) of all construction which might reasonably be anticipated to be built within the area which drains into the SCM, allowing credit for improvements completed prior to the submission of the final plat. At such time that this level of occupancy is achieved, written notice thereof shall be submitted by the owner to the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency. The owner shall verify the adequacy of the Maintenance Agreement for the SCMs including the necessary financing to support the proposed maintenance practices. The owner shall also provide professional engineer certification that the SCM is designed and constructed in accordance with approved plans and specifications. The Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency will inspect the structural SCMBMP and verify the effectiveness of the Maintenance Agreement and, if both are found to be satisfactory, the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency will notify the owner in writing within 30 days of the date of notice regarding approval of the SCM. Following the issuance of this written approval, the owner can request the release of the surety bond, letter of credit or other guarantee at which time the maintenance responsibilities for the SCMs shall revert to the Homeowners Association, property owner or other party responsible for long term maintenance as specified in the Maintenance Agreement. It shall be expressly stated within the restrictive covenants or Property Owners Association documents that it will be the responsibility of the owner or assigns to maintain SCMs until such time as maintenance responsibilities have been transferred to the Homeowners Association Board of Directors, property owner or other party responsible for long term maintenance of the SCMs. It shall be the sole responsibility of the owner or assigns to correct any deficiencies prior to said transfer of maintenance responsibilities.
22. Maintenance. The owner of each SCM installed pursuant to this ordinance shall maintain and operate it so as to preserve and continue its function for controlling storm water quality and quantity at the degree or amount of function for which the SCM was designed. SCMs shall not be constructed on public land, within public rights-of-way, and/or within public easements without written approval from the public body with ownership/jurisdiction of the subject property. The following requirements shall be met for all SCMs that have been constructed on privately-owned property and not within a public easement.
    1. Operation and Maintenance Agreement. Prior to the issuance of an Occupancy Permit for any building within a permitted development served by a SCM, the applicant or owner of the SCM shall establish a formal Operation and Maintenance Agreement approved by the Storm Water Administrator and recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds in which the owner acknowledges the duty of the owner and all subsequent owners of the property to maintain the SCM in accordance with the terms of the Agreement, including repairing and, if necessary, reconstruction of the SCM. Until the transference of all property, sites, or lots served by the structural SCM, the original owner or applicant shall have primary responsibility for carrying out the provisions of the Operation and Maintenance Agreement. A maintenance plan shall be included as part of the Agreement that shall state the terms, conditions, and schedule of maintenance for the structural SCM as well as describe the mechanism for funding maintenance and repairs. The Operation and Maintenance Agreement shall also specify the Property Owners Association or other party responsible for maintenance of the SCM. A Property Owners Association or similar legal entity shall have the power to compel contributions from residents of a development to cover their proportionate shares of the costs associated with SCM maintenance.
       
       Standard Operation and Maintenance Agreements for SCMs shall be developed by the Storm Water Administrator and made available in the Administrative Manual. The Operation and Maintenance Agreement must be approved by the Storm Water Administrator prior to plan approval, and it shall be referenced on the final plat and shall be recorded by the applicant or owner with the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds upon final plat approval. A copy of the recorded Operation and Maintenance Agreement shall be given to the Storm Water Administrator within fourteen (14) days following its recordation.
    2. Inspection and Maintenance Requirements. All SCMs installed pursuant to the requirements of this ordinance shall be inspected by a qualified professional as designated by the Storm Water Administrator at a minimum of annually within 45 days prior to the anniversary date of the approval of the as-built survey. The purpose of these inspections is to identify maintenance and repair needs and to ensure compliance with the requirements of this ordinance. The person responsible for SCM maintenance shall submit to the Storm Water Administrator a completed inspection report. All inspection reports shall be on forms supplied by the Storm Water Administrator and contained in the Administrative Manual. Any identified maintenance and/or repair needs shall be addressed in a timely manner. The inspection and maintenance requirement may be increased as deemed necessary by the Storm Water Administrator to ensure proper functioning of the SCM and compliance with this ordinance.
    3. Records of Installation and Maintenance Activities. Parties responsible for the inspection, operation, and maintenance of a SCM shall make records of the installation of all the maintenance and repairs and shall retain the records for at least five (5) years. Those records shall be made available to the Storm Water Administrator upon request and/or as specifically outlined in the Maintenance Agreement.
    4. Failure to Maintain Practices. It is unlawful for a property owner to fail to meet the requirements of the Operation and Maintenance Agreement. Any person or association that fails to meet the requirements of the Operation and Maintenance Agreement shall be subject to a civil penalty as described in Section 8.17.24.
    5. Maintenance Easement. Every structural SCM installed pursuant to this ordinance shall be made accessible for adequate inspection, maintenance, reconstruction and repair by a maintenance easement. The easement shall be recorded with the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds Office and its terms shall specify who may make use of the easement and for what purposes.
23. Deed Recordation and Indications on Plat. The approval of the Storm Water Management Permit shall require an enforceable restriction on property usage that runs with the land, such as plat, recorded deed restrictions or protective covenants, to ensure that future development and redevelopment maintains the site consistent with the approved project plans. Stream buffers as described in Section 8.25, including the delineation of each buffer zone, must be specified on all surveys and record plats. The Operations and Maintenance Agreement pertaining to every structural SCM shall be referenced on the final plat and shall be recorded with the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds Office upon final plat approval. If no subdivision plat is recorded for the site, then the Operation and Maintenance Agreement shall be recorded with the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds Office so as to appear in the chain of title of all subsequent purchasers under generally accepted searching principles. A copy of the recorded Operation and Maintenance Agreement shall be provided to the Storm Water Administrator within fourteen (14) days following receipt of the recorded document. A maintenance easement shall be recorded for every structural SCM to allow sufficient access for adequate maintenance. The specific recordation and deed restriction requirements as well as notes to be displayed on final plats and deeds shall be contained in the Administrative Manual.
24. Inspections of SCMs.
    1. Inspections. As described in Section 8.17.21(b), the owner of a SCM shall inspect said SCM at a minimum of annually within 45 days prior to the anniversary date of the approval of the as-built survey. Additional inspections may be conducted by the Storm Water Administrator on any reasonable basis, including but not limited to: routine inspections; random inspections; inspections based upon complaints or other notice of possible violations; inspections of drainage basins or areas identified as higher than typical sources of sediment or other contaminants or pollutants; inspections of businesses or industries of a type associated with higher than usual dischargers of contaminants or pollutants or with discharges of a type which are more likely than the typical discharge to cause violations of State or Federal water quality standards or the NPDES Storm Water Permit; and joint inspections with other agencies inspecting under environmental and safety laws. Inspections may include, but are not limited to: reviewing maintenance and repair records; sampling discharges, surface water, groundwater, and material or water in SCMs; evaluating the condition of SCMs and other storm water management practices.
    2. Right-of-Entry for Inspection. When any new SCM is installed on private property, the property owner shall grant to the Storm Water Administrator the right to enter the property at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner for the purpose of inspection. This includes the right to enter a property when the Storm Water Administrator has a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of this ordinance is occurring or has occurred, and to enter when necessary for abatement of a public nuisance or correction of a violation of this ordinance. The Storm Water Administrator shall take reasonable steps to inform the responsible party prior to inspecting the property.
25. Enforcement and Violations.
    1. General.
       1. Authority to Enforce. The provisions of this ordinance shall be enforced by the Storm Water Administrator, his or her designee, or any authorized agent of the Town Huntersville.
       2. Violation Unlawful. Any failure to comply with an applicable requirement, prohibition, standard, or limitation imposed by this ordinance, or the terms or conditions of any permit or other development or redevelopment approval or authorization granted pursuant to this ordinance, is unlawful and shall constitute a violation of this ordinance.
       3. Each Day a Separate Offense. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct violation or offense.
       4. Responsible Persons/Entities. For the purposes of this ordinance, responsible person(s) shall include but not be limited to:
          1. Person Maintaining Condition Resulting In or Constituting Violation. An architect, engineer, builder, contractor, developer, agency, property owners’ association or any other person who participates in, assists, directs, creates, causes, or maintains a condition that constitutes a violation of this ordinance, or fails to take appropriate action, so that a violation of this ordinance results or persists.
          2. Responsibility For Land or Use of Land. The owner of the land on which the violation occurs, any tenant or occupant of the property, any person who is responsible for storm water controls or practices pursuant to a private agreement or public document, or any person, who has control over, or responsibility for, the use, development or redevelopment of the property.
    2. Remedies and Penalties. The remedies and penalties provided for violations of this ordinance, shall be cumulative and in addition to any other remedy provided by law, and may be exercised in any order.
       1. Remedies.
          1. Withholding of Certificate of Occupancy. The Storm Water Administrator or other authorized agent may refuse to issue a certificate of occupancy for the building or other improvements constructed or being constructed on the site and served by the storm water practices in question for deficiencies of SCMs and lack of site stability in accordance with N.C.G.S §160D-1110(h) until the applicant or other responsible person has taken the remedial measures set forth in the notice of violation or has otherwise cured the violations described therein.
          2. Disapproval of Subsequent Permits and Development Approvals. As long as a violation of this ordinance continues and remains uncorrected, the Storm Water Administrator or other authorized agent may withhold and the Town of Huntersville may disapprove, any request for permit or development approval or authorization provided for by this ordinance or the zoning, subdivision, and/or building regulations for the land on which the violation occurs.
          3. Injunction, Abatements, etc. The Town of Huntersville may institute an action in a court of competent jurisdiction for a mandatory or prohibitory injunction and order of abatement to correct a violation of this ordinance. Any person violating this ordinance shall be subject to the full range of equitable remedies provided in the General Statutes or at common law.
          4. Correction as Public Health Nuisance, Costs as Lien, etc. If the violation is deemed dangerous or prejudicial to the public health or public safety, the Town of Huntersville may cause the violation to be corrected and the costs to be assessed as a lien against the property.
          5. Stop Work Order. The Storm Water Administrator may issue a stop work order to the person(s) violating this ordinance. The stop work order shall remain in effect until the person has taken the remedial measures set forth in the notice of violation or has otherwise corrected the violation or violations described therein. The stop work order may be withdrawn or modified to enable the person to take the necessary remedial measures to correct such violation(s).
       2. Civil Penalties. Violation of this ordinance may subject the violator to a civil penalty up to the full amount of penalty to which the Town of Huntersville is subject for violations of its Phase II Storm Water Permit. If the violator does not pay the penalty within 30 days after notice of the violation is issued by the Storm Water Administrator, the violation shall be recovered in a civil action in the nature of a debt.
          
    3. Procedures.
       1. Initiation/Complaint. Whenever a violation of this ordinance occurs, or is alleged to have occurred, any person may file a written complaint. Such complaint shall state fully the alleged violation and the basis thereof, and shall be filed with the Storm Water Administrator, who shall record the complaint. The complaint shall be investigated promptly by the Storm Water Administrator.
       2. Inspection. The Storm Water Administrator shall have the authority, upon presentation of proper credentials, to enter and inspect any land, building, structure, or premises to ensure compliance with this ordinance.
       3. Notice of Violation and Order to Correct. When the Storm Water Administrator finds that any building, structure, or land is in violation of this ordinance, the Storm Water Administrator shall notify, in writing, the property owner or other person violating this ordinance. The notification shall indicate the nature of the violation, contain the address or other description of the site upon which the violation is occurring, order the necessary action to abate the violation, and give a deadline for correcting the violation. If civil penalties are to be assessed, the notice of violation shall also contain a statement of the civil penalties to be assessed, the time of their accrual, and the time within which they must be paid or be subject to collection as a debt.
          
          The Storm Water Administrator may deliver the notice of violation and correction order personally, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by any means authorized for the service of documents by Rule 4 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. If a violation is not corrected within a reasonable period of time, as provided in the notification, the Storm Water Administrator may take appropriate action under this ordinance to correct and abate the violation and to ensure compliance with this ordinance.
       4. Emergency Enforcement. If delay in correcting a violation would seriously threaten the effective enforcement of this ordinance or pose an immediate danger to the public health, safety, or welfare, then the Storm Water Administrator may order the immediate cessation of a violation. Any person so ordered shall cease any violation immediately. The Storm Water Administrator may seek immediate enforcement, without prior written notice, through any remedy or penalty authorized by this ordinance.

1. Flag shall mean a piece of fabric or other flexible material solely containing distinctive colors, patterns, standards, words or emblems used as the symbol of any nation, state, city, or any fraternal, religious, or civic organization.
   1. All flags shall be displayed on flagpoles, which may be vertical or mast-arm flagpoles.
   2. In non-residential districts, vertical flagpoles shall not exceed the allowed height provided for a structure or building in the applicable zoning district, or 54 feet, whichever is less.
   3. In residential districts, vertical flagpoles shall not exceed 25 feet in height, or the height of the primary structure on the parcel, whichever is less.
   4. The hoist side of the flag shall not exceed 20% of the height of a vertical flagpole or the length of a mast-arm flagpole. Mast-arm flagpoles shall not exceed 25 feet in length and therefore would have a maximum hoist of 5 feet.
   5. Vertical flagpoles are subject to the following limitations:
      
      

      Vertical Pole Height	Maximum Flag Size (total square feet)
      15 to 24 feet	20 square feet
      25 to 34 feet	50 square feet
      35 to 44 feet	100 square feet
      45 to 54 feet	160 square feet

   6. Each parcel shall be allowed a maximum of three flagpoles unless a variance is obtained.
   7. A maximum of 2 flags shall be allowed per flagpole.
   8. Flags displaying a logo, message, statement, or expression relating to commercial interests and banners not meeting the definition of a flag contained herein shall conform to all applicable ordinances pertaining to signs.
   9. A vertical flagpole must be set back from all property boundaries a distance which is at least equal to the height of the flagpole.
   10. Flags and flagpoles shall be maintained in good repair, and to the extent applicable shall be in compliance with the building code. Flagpoles with broken halyards shall not be used and flags that are torn or frayed shall not be displayed.
   11. On officially designated county, state, or federal holidays, there shall be no maximum flag size, number, or other limitations on display.
   12. This section shall not be construed to restrict the right to display eligible flags as banners or signage as provided elsewhere in the ordinance.

1. Purpose. The purpose of a stream buffer network is to filter pollutants, store floodwaters, provide habitat, and contribute to the “green infrastructure”. Stream systems are comprised of each stream and its respective drainage basin.
   1. Streams have the primary natural functions of conveying storm and ground water, storing floodwater, and supporting aquatic life.
   2. Vegetated lands adjacent to the stream channel in the drainage basin serve as “buffers” to protect the stream’s ability to fulfill its natural functions. Buffers have the primary natural functions of protecting water quality by filtering pollutants, providing intermittent storage for floodwaters, allowing channels to meander naturally, and providing suitable habitat for wildlife.
2. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following words and phrases shall be defined as specified below:
   
   .
   
   Buffer. A vegetated area through which storm water runoff flows in a diffuse manner so that the runoff does not become channelized and which provides for infiltration of the runoff and filtering of pollutants.
   
   Buffer Zones. Buffer widths are measured in three (3) zones as shown below. The buffer width is measured horizontally and must be surveyed by a licensed land surveyor on a line parallel to the surface water, landward from the top of the bank on each side of the stream.
   Drainage Basin. The area of land that drains to a given point on a body of water.
   
   Floodway. The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than the allowable surcharge (currently one foot).
   
   Flood Fringe. The land area located between the limits of the floodway and the maximum elevation subject to inundation by the base (1% chance) flood.
   
   Floodplain. The low, periodically flooded lands adjacent to rivers and lakes. For land use planning purposes, the regulatory floodplain is usually viewed as all land alongside a watercourse that would be inundated by the base (1% chance) flood; the floodway plus the flood fringe.
   
   Mitigation. Actions taken on-site and/or off-site to offset the effects of temporary or permanent loss of a buffer.
   
   Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs). A structural or non-structural management based practice used singularly or in combination to reduce non-point source input to receiving waters in order to achieve water quality protection goals as described as follows:
   
   a. Non-structural SCMS - Non-engineering methods to control the amount of non-point source pollution. These may include land-use controls and vegetative buffers.
   b. Structural SCMs - Engineered structures that are designed to reduce the delivery of pollutants from their source or to divert contaminants away from a water body.
   
   
   Top of Bank. The landward edge of the stream channel during high water, bankfull conditions at the point where water begins to overflow onto the floodplain.
3. Applicability.
   1. All properties shall comply with the buffer requirements of this Section except those which, as of the effective date of October 19, 1999, have previously secured a right to proceed by one of the following methods, and have received written authorization to disturb the buffer from the Town’s Planning Staff:
      
      • Having been issued a Certificate of Building Code Compliance;
      
      • Being subject to an approved major subdivision preliminary plan and/or recorded final plat;
      
      • Being subject to a minor subdivision plat, exempt plat listed under the definition of subdivision in the Subdivision Ordinance, or described by metes and bounds in a recorded deed which:
      
      • If to be used for residential purposes, are one (1) acre or less in size.
      
      • If to be used for nonresidential purposes or mixed use purposes, are four (4) acres or less in size if located on a non-FEMA regulated floodway, or are seven (7) acres or less in size if located on a FEMA regulated floodway.
      
      • Being subject to a site specific development plan defined under Section 2.2.2 of these zoning regulations; or
      
      • Having otherwise secured a vested property right under state law.
   2. Redevelopment or expansion of uses and structures included in a), above, shall comply with the buffer requirements of this Section, however uses and structures previously approved and constructed in a buffer may remain.
   3. A site specific development plan amended subsequent to adoption of this Section shall comply, in its amended form, with the S.W.I.M. buffer requirements, however uses and structures previously approved for construction in a buffer may remain.
   4. Where stream buffers are also required as part of the Lake Norman or Mountain Island Lake Watershed Overlay Districts, the more stringent of the stream buffer requirements shall apply.
4. Buffer Delineation. S.W.I.M. Stream Buffers, throughout the jurisdiction of the Town of Huntersville shall be delineated for the purposes of land development permits by an on-site stream delineation prepared by a certified professional using U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and/or N.C. Division of Water Quality methodology, which has been approved by the Town. Delineation by Mecklenburg County through its geographic information system (GIS) is allowed for development not requiring a land development.
5. Minimum Buffer Widths. All perennial and intermittent streams draining less than 50 acres shall have a minimum 30-foot vegetated buffer including a 10-foot zone adjacent to the bank. Disturbance of the buffer is allowed; however, any disturbed area must be revegetated and disturbance of the 10-foot zone adjacent to the bank shall require stream bank stabilization using bioengineering techniques as specified in the Design Manual. All perennial and intermittent streams draining greater than or equal to 50 acres and less than 300 acres shall have a 35-foot buffer with two (2) zones, including a 20-foot stream side and 15-foot upland zone. Streams draining greater than or equal to 300 acres and less than 640 acres shall have a 50-foot buffer with three (3) zones, including a 20-foot stream side, 20-foot managed use and 10-foot upland zone. Buffers for streams draining greater than or equal to 640 acres shall be 100 feet in width or include the entire floodplain, whichever is greater. This buffer shall consist of a 30-foot stream side, 45-foot managed use and 25-foot upland zone or the entire FEMA floodplain, whichever is greater. All buffers shall be measured from the top of the bank on both sides of the stream. A summary of minimum buffer widths is provided in the table below.
   
   Table of Minimum Buffer Widths by Basin Size and Buffer Zone

   Area Designation	Stream Side Zone	Managed Use Zone	Upland Zone	Total Buffer Width each side of Stream	Notes
   < 50 acres	N/A	N/A	30 feet	30 feet	(1), (2)
   > 50 acres	20 feet	None	15 feet	35 feet	(2)
   > 300 acres	20 feet	20 feet	10 feet	50 feet	(2)
   > 640 acres	30 feet	45 feet	25 feet or balance of floodplain, whichever is greater	100 feet or entire floodplain, whichever is greater	(2), (3)

   Notes:
   (1) All perennial and intermittent streams draining less than 50 acres shall have a minimum 30-foot vegetated buffer including a 10-foot zone adjacent to the bank. Disturbance of the buffer is allowed; however, any disturbed area must be revegetated and disturbance of the 10-foot zone adjacent to the bank shall require stream bank stabilization using bioengineering techniques as specified in the Design Manual.
   (2) Buffer widths are surveyed horizontally on a line parallel to the surface water, landward from the top of the bank on each side of the stream.
   (3) Floodplain and buffer calculations will be based upon the FEMA flood fringe and floodway encroachment lines, as locally adopted and as may be amended from time to time.
6. Buffer Description. Buffer function, vegetation and use vary according to the different buffer zones and are described in the following table.
   
   Table of Buffer Treatment by Buffer Zone

   	Stream Side Zone	Managed Use Zone	Upland Zone	Notes
   Function	Protect the integrity of the ecosystems	Provide natural filter; provide distance between upland development and the stream side zone	Prevent encroachment and filter runoff
   Vegetative Requirements	Undisturbed (no cutting, clearing or grading). If existing tree density is inadequate, reforestation is required.	Limited clearing (no grading). Existing tree density must be retained to a minimum of 8 healthy trees of a minimum 6 inch caliper per 1000 square feet. If existing tree density is inadequate, reforestation is encouraged.	Herbaceous ground cover, including grass, is allowed; maintenance of existing forest or reforestation is encouraged.	(1)
   Uses	Very restricted. Permitted uses limited to flood control structures and bank stabilization (where permitted) as well as installation of parallel or near perpendicular (³ 75o) water and sewer utilities and near perpendicular road crossings (³ 75o) with stabilization of disturbed areas as specified in Section 8.25.10.	Restricted. Permitted uses limited to those allowed in the Stream Side Zone, as well as bike paths and greenway trails up to 20 feet in width.	Restricted. Permitted uses limited to those allowed in Stream Side and Managed Use Zones, as well as gazebos, non-commercial storage buildings less than 150 square feet, limited grading that does not change the functionality or extent of the floodplain, and storm water structural stormwater control measure (SCMs) if approved in accordance with Section 8.25.11 b), as a condition of a buffer width variance or if they are located a minimum distance of 100 feet from the stream bank.	(2), (3), (4)

   Note:
   (1) When reforestation of disturbed buffers is required, tree planting shall be as specified in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg SWIM Stream Buffer Implementation Guidelines.
   (2) Fill material cannot be brought into any required buffer. In the Upland Zone only, limited grading that does not change the extent or functional characteristics of the floodplain is permitted. Uses permitted in the buffer zones should be coordinated to ensure minimal disturbance of the buffer system. For example, if it is necessary to install utilities within the buffer, then if Greenway Trails are built they should follow these cleared areas instead of necessitating additional clearing.
   (3) Notwithstanding the uses and structures permitted in the “Upland Zone”, the stricter standards of floodway regulations, if applicable, shall apply.
   (4) Greenway Trails referenced in this table refer exclusively to those approved by and dedicated to the Town of Huntersville or Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Departments. Other paths or trails in the buffer shall be in accordance with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg SWIM Stream Buffer Implementation Guidelines.
7. Diffuse Flow Requirement. Diffuse flow of runoff shall be maintained in the buffer by dispersing concentrated flow through the use of level spreaders or other such devices to create sheet flow and by reestablishing vegetation. Techniques for providing diffuse flow are specified in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg SCM Design Manual.
   
   • Maximum drainage area size shall be no greater than 10 acres for all outfalls discharging directly into a stream buffer.
   
   • When practical, a drop structure should be installed prior to the last section of outfall pipe discharging to a buffer. A short length of outfall pipe should be laid flat (0% Slope Energy Dissipater), prior to the riprap apron or other energy dissipater.
   
   • Concentrated runoff from ditches or other manmade conveyances shall be diverted to diffuse flow before the runoff enters the buffer.
   
   • Periodic corrective action to restore diffuse flow shall be taken by the property owner as necessary to impede the formation of erosion gullies.
8. Ponds that intersect the stream channel shall have the same buffers as the original stream. Buffer requirements do not apply to wet ponds used as structural SCMs.
9. Buffer Delineation. The following buffer delineations are required:
   1. Buffer boundaries including all buffer zones must be clearly delineated on all site-specific plans for approval, on all construction plans, including grading and clearing plans, erosion and sediment control plans, and site plans.
   2. The surveyed outside buffer boundary, including all buffer zones, must be clearly marked on-site with orange “tree-protection” or “high-hazard” fence prior to any land disturbing activities. Tree protection is required by Section 7.4(3) of this ordinance. Where existing trees are to be preserved in a buffer zone, the limits of grading shall equal the drip line of those trees plus an additional five (5) feet on the upland side of the buffer. All Specimen and Heritage trees require a tree survey prior to land-disturbing activity and shall be saved in all buffer zones.
   3. The surveyed outside boundary of the buffer must be permanently marked with an iron pin at the intersection of the watershed buffer and each property line on each parcel following the completion of land disturbing activities and prior to final plat, passing final inspeciton, and occupancy. Properties greater than 200’ in width shall be marked at a maximum of 100’ intervals.
   4. Separate buffer zones must be permanently marked at highway stream crossings.
   5. Buffer boundaries including all buffer zones as well as all buffer requirements must be specified on the record plat, on individual deeds, and in property association documents for lands held in common.
10. Buffer Impacts Permitted under Section 8.25, S.W.I.M. The following buffer impacts are permitted, but design and construction shall comply with the specifications provided in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Buffer Implementation Guidelines for stabilization of disturbed areas to minimize negative effects on the quality of surface waters.
    
    • Near perpendicular (75° or greater) road crossings for connectivity or transportation links where the Town of Huntersville has granted site plan approval.
    
    • Near perpendicular (75° or greater) utility crossings as approved by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities.
    
    • Parallel water and sewer utility installation as approved by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities, where a logical and appropriate basis for the impact is demonstrated, where disturbance of the Stream Side Zone is minimized to the maximum extent practicable, and where guidelines for restoring vegetation within buffers disturbed as a result of parallel utility installation are met. These guidelines are specified in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Buffer Implementation Guidelines.
    
    • Public paths and trails parallel to the creek outside the Stream side Zone and near perpendicular stream crossings in any zone. Pathways must use existing and proposed utility alignments or previously cleared areas and minimize tree cutting to the maximum extent practicable. To the extent possible, pathways shall preserve existing drainage patterns and avoid drainage structures that concentrate storm water.
    
    • Incidental drainage improvements/repairs for maintenance.
    
    • Individual pedestrian paths connecting homeowners to the stream in the form of narrow, pervious footpaths with minimal tree disturbance.
    
    • New domesticated animal trails (farming) where existing trails are lost as a result of action beyond the farmer’s control. Stream crossings should be constructed to minimize impacts to the Stream Side Zone and be maintained with fencing perpendicular to and through the buffer to direct animal movement.
    
    • Mitigation approved by a state or federal agency acting pursuant to Sections 401 or 404 of the federal Clean Water Act.
    
    • In the Corporate Business Zoning District as part of an approved conditional zoning, the Board of Commissioners may approve a modification to an intermittent stream buffer and perennial stream buffer draining under 50 acres without a variance subject to implementing one of the nine mitigation techniques in Subsection 11(b) below.
    
11. Appeals and Variances.
    1. An appeal to reverse or modify the order, decision, determination, or interpretation of the Zoning Administrator shall comply with the procedures and standards of Section 11.3 of these ordinances.
    2. Special Variance Provisions/Mitigation Techniques.
       
       • When “unnecessary hardships”, as defined in Section 11.3.2 e, would result from strict adherence to the buffer width requirements and/or buffer treatment standards, a petition for variance may be filed with the Huntersville Planning Board in compliance with the procedures and standards of Section 11.3.
       
       • Site specific mitigation plans using the mitigation techniques set out below and approved by the designated agency shall be construed by the Planing Board to be evidence responsive to Section 11.3.2 e),– 4 consistency with adopted plans and protection of public safety and welfare. Specifications for these mitigation techniques are provided in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Buffer Implementation Guidelines (for Structural SCMs). The techniques below are not construed to offset the requirement of Section 8.25.6 for diffuse flow.
       1. Installation of Structural SCMs. The installation of an on-site structural SCM designed to achieve specified pollutant removal targets will allow for all proposed stream buffer impact on the specific site. The SCM must remain outside of the Stream Side Zone and Manage Use Zone. A detailed SCM design plan must be submitted to the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency for approval based on specifications contained in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg SCM Design Manual. This plan must also include a long-term maintenance strategy for the SCM, complete with the establishment of adequate financing to support the proposed maintenance practices.
       2. Stream Restoration. The owner may restore and preserve the buffer area on any stream of equivalent or greater drainage area the condition of which is determined to be qualified for restoration by the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency on a 1:1 basis in linear feet of stream. This restoration shall include stream bank improvements and Stream Side and Managed Use Zone re-vegetation, in accordance with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Buffer Implementation Guidelines, and receive approval from the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency.
       3. Stream Preservation. The owner may purchase, fee simple, other stream segments at equivalent or greater drainage area on a 1:1 linear foot basis and convey fee simple and absolute title to the land to the Town of Huntersville, Mecklenburg County, or conservation trust, with a plan approved by the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services.
       4. Wetlands Restoration. On a 2:1 acreage basis for disturbed stream and buffer area (2 acres of wetland for each acre of disturbed area), the owner may provide a combination of the preservation and/or restoration of wetlands with protective easements and the implementation of structural or non-structural SCMs to achieve specific pollutant removal targets within the impacted area. Restoration plan must be approved by the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services.
       5. Bottom Land Hardwood Preservation. On a 2:1 acreage basis for impacted stream and buffer area 2 acres of bottomland hardwood for each acre of disturbed area), the owner may provide a combination of the preservation of existing bottom land hardwood forest or other specifically approved natural heritage area by conservation easement or other legal instrument, and the implementation of structural or non-structural SCMs to achieve specific pollutant removal targets within the impacted area. Plan to be approved by Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency. Bottom land hardwood preservation shall not include minimum tree preservation otherwise required by these regulations (i.e. required buffers, required tree preservation of Section 7.4) but shall include any bottom land hardwood preserved beyond the minimums established.
       6. Controlled Impervious Cover for Disturbance Landward of Stream Side Zone. The owner may commit to, and provide, a specific site development plan for the parcel with requested buffer disturbance. The plan shall limit overall site impervious cover to less than or equal to 24%. Preservation of the Stream Side Zone is still required. Plan to be approved by Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency.
       7. Open Space Development. The submission of a site-specific development plan that preserves 50% of the total land area as undisturbed open space. Plan to be approved by Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency.
       8. Mitigation Credits: The purchase of mitigation credits through the Stream Restoration Program on a 1:1 basis, utilizing linear feet of stream impacted and the prevailing rate of purchase as established by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Buffer Implementation Guidelines. Mitigation credits purchased under any other program (i.e., U.S. Army Corp of Engineers) shall not cover this requirement unless the issuing agency agrees to relinquish the funds to the appropriate local government agency.
       9. Alternative mitigation. The list of mitigation techniques shall not prevent the creative development of alternative mitigation plans that achieve the purposes of this section.
12. Posting of financial security required. When structural SCMs (wet detention ponds and other SCMs) are approved for mitigation of a buffer disturbance, the approval will be subject to the owner filing a surety bond, letter of credit, or making other financial arrangements which are acceptable to the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency, in a form which is satisfactory to the County Attorney, guaranteeing the installation and maintenance of the required structural SCMs until the issuance of certificates of occupancy for seventy-five percent (75%) of all construction which might reasonably be anticipated to be built within the area which drains into the SCMs, allowing credit for improvements completed prior to the submission of the final plat. At such time that this level of occupancy is achieved, written notice thereof must be submitted by the owner to the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency. The owner must also verify the adequacy of the maintenance plan for the SCMs including the necessary financing to support the proposed maintenance practices. The Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency will inspect the structural SCMs and verify the effectiveness of the maintenance plan; if both are found to be satisfactory, the department will notify the owner in writing within 30 days of the date of notice.
13. Maintenance responsibilities for structural SCMs – Civil Penalties. Maintenance of all structural SCMs will be the responsibility of the property owner or his designee. Any person who fails to maintain the required SCMs in accordance with the approved maintenance plan will be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5000. Each day that the violation continues shall constitute a separate violation. No penalties shall be assessed until the person alleged to be in violation has been notified in writing of the violation by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by other means which are reasonably calculated to give actual notice. The notice shall describe the nature of the violation with reasonable particularity, specify a reasonable time period within which the violation must be corrected, and warn that failure to correct the violation within the time period will result in assessment of a civil penalty or other enforcement action.
14. Request for Determination of Buffer Requirements. When a landowner or other affected party believes that the S.W.I.M stream buffer delineation maps described in Section 8.25.4 inaccurately depict buffer requirements, he or she shall request a determination from the Storm Water Administrator. Such determinations shall be made by the Storm Water Administrator based on an on-site evaluation using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and N.C. Division of Water Quality methodology for stream delineation as well as information from databases maintained for stream delineation by Mecklenburg County. Such determinations can also be made at the discretion of the Storm Water Administrator in the absence of a request from a landowner or other concerned party. The buffer requirements of this ordinance shall apply based on determinations made by the Storm Water Administrator. Surface waters that appear on the maps shall not be subject to this ordinance if an on-site determination by the Storm Water Administrator shows that they fall into one of the following categories.
    1. Ditches and manmade conveyances other than modified natural streams.
    2. Manmade ponds and lakes that are not intersected by a buffered stream segment and that are located outside natural drainage ways.
    3. Ephemeral (storm water) streams.

The purpose of the site lighting regulations is to ensure public safety and welfare and to protect the night sky. External lighting shall meet the following standards unless otherwise permitted or restricted by this ordinance.

1. General Requirements.
   1. At a minimum, all lighting installations shall be designed to achieve no greater than the minimal illuminance levels for the activity as recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA).
   2. Including the base/mounting fixture, the maximum height for lighting (pole mounted and wall mounted) shall be 40 feet except for sports complex lighting as addressed in sections 9.21 and 9.35 of this ordinance.
   3. To prevent glare on off-site locations, all outdoor lighting fixtures shall be full cut-off. Where necessary to prevent light trespass or glare, accessories such as hoods and shields shall be used on fixtures. No source of glare shall be visible from any adjacent property or street.
   4. Light trespass shall be prevented by employing lighting shields, hoods, walls, or fences which control light projection. In no case shall the spillover light level from site lighting onto adjacent property or a public road exceed 1.0 foot-candle measured at the property line.
   5. Security lighting (floodlights, where permitted, wall packs, and etc.) shall be shielded and directed at a downward angle no higher than 45 degrees above straight down (half-way between straight down and straight to the side) measured perpendicular from the pole or mounting wall.
   6. Unless otherwise specified by this ordinance, uniformity ratios shall not exceed 4:1. Uniformity shall be based on average illuminance. Uniformity ratios shall only be measured for developed areas of the site for parcels greater than one acre.
   7. Parking lot lighting shall not exceed an initial maximum output of ten foot-candles as measured at ground level from any orientation of the measuring device.
   8. Unless provided elsewhere, canopy lighting shall not exceed an initial maximum output of fifteen footcandles as measured at ground level from any point underneath the canopy and from any orientation of the measuring device.
   9. An isolux lighting plan shall be required for all non-residential projects as part of the site plan approval process. Such plan shall indicate lighting levels expressed as footcandles at grade by contour diagram or grid points over the entire site and shall be sealed by a registered engineer. The zoning administrator may waive this requirement for projects located on less than one acre where specific lighting fixtures to be used are indicated on the site plan.
   10. Decorative lighting shall:
       1. Be focused toward the ground,
       2. Be designed and installed to prevent light trespass and unnecessary glare, and
       3. Only be used to highlight significant architectural or natural features.
   11. Outdoor lighting not necessary for security purposes shall be turned off during non-operating hours.
   12. Lighting for an outdoor amusement facility within the Special Purpose (SP) Zoning District that cannot conform to all the standards of this section may be approved with the issuance of a Special Use Permit (as outlined in Article 11.4.10), contingent on the following conditions:
       1. Ensure the Special Use Permit (SUP) conforms to the standards of this article regarding safety, downward lighting, glare, offsite light trespass, uniformity ratio, and obtrusive/flashing lighting, etc., to the extent practicable.
       2. All Special Use Permit applications shall be accompanied by a photometric lighting plan, graphics of all exterior lighting fixtures proposed for the facility and any other evidence of conformance with the standards of the article.
       3. Upon review of the proposed lighting plan and the specific context of the associated development, the Town Board may add specific conditions to the permit related to the application to ensure that the principles of this article are followed to the extent practicable.
       4. No Special Use Permit (SUP) may permit lighting levels to exceed 30 foot-candles.
2. Light Level Standards. The following levels shall be met unless otherwise specified:
   
   

   USES	MAX. FOOTCANDLE
   Automotive Sales	30
   Banks: ATM’s, Parking Areas	30 10
   Civic and Institutional	10
   Convenience Stores, Gas Station • Parking Area • Canopy	10 10 35
   Office Uses	10
   Industrial	15
   Retail, Commercial Uses	10
   Shopping Centers	10
   All other uses not listed	4

3. Prohibited Lighting and Fixtures.
   1. Drop lenses and similar lighting fixtures are prohibited.
   2. Floodlights are not permitted for illumination in non-residential districts except in loading areas of light and heavy manufacturing uses. Floodlights, when permitted in loading areas, shall:
      1. be fully shielded;
      2. be aimed at no higher than a 45 degree angle (halfway between the horizontal plane and straight down) unless a sight line graphic is submitted demonstrating that no off site glare will be created from any portion of the lighting fixture due to screening by existing topography, accessory buildings, landscaping, etc.
      3. be focused toward the primary building or the loading area only;
      4. not be aimed toward an adjoining residential zone or conforming residential land use;
      5. not emit glare or light trespass onto adjacent streets or properties.
      In all applications, lighting shall be directed downward. Floodlights in residential districts shall not shine directly onto an adjacent property or public rights-of-way.
   3. Canopies and awnings used for building accents shall not be internally illuminated.
   4. Flashing, colored or obtrusive lighting is prohibited.
   5. The use of laser source light or any similar high intensity light for outdoor advertising or entertainment is prohibited.
   6. The operation of searchlights for advertising purposes is prohibited.
   7. Black lights and neon lights (including argon and similar rare gas fixtures), except for signage, are prohibited.
4. Exemptions to these requirements. The following shall be exempt from the lighting requirements of this ordinance:
   1. Emergency lighting, used by police, firefighting, or medical personnel, or at their direction, is exempt for as long as the emergency exists.
   2. Underwater lighting used for the illumination of swimming pools and fountains.
   3. Lighting used for nighttime street construction and repair.
   4. The lighting of official governmental flags and public civic monuments shall not be subject to these lighting standards. Such lighting shall utilize a narrow cone beam of light of no more than 150 watts.
   5. Seasonal decorations.
5. Maintenance requirements.
   1. All light fixtures that are required to be shielded shall be installed and maintained in such a manner that the shielding is effective as required.
   2. Anything other than routine servicing and same-type lamp replacement of any exterior lighting shall require town approval prior to installation.
   3. Any damaged, broken or malfunctioning light fixture or pole which results in failure to meet any part of this ordinance shall be repaired or replaced immediately.

The purpose of street lighting is to ensure public safety and welfare and to protect the night sky. Street lighting shall meet the following standards unless otherwise permitted or restricted by this ordinance.

1. Street lights shall in all cases use fully shielded fixtures except that decorative street light fixtures shall be designed with caps so that light does not shine upward at more than a 135-degree angle measured above straight down (three-quarters of the way between straight down and straight to the top) from the pole or mounting wall.
2. Fixtures with minimal across-road and "house side" waste shall be used, especially in residential areas, taking into consideration the details of roadway geometry and width.
3. Low pressure sodium lights are strongly encouraged.
4. A street lighting plan must be approved by the Town prior to Preliminary Plan or Commercial Site Plan approval.