Tacoma: City Council Adopts Updated Stormwater Management Manual to Enhance Environmental Health and Regulatory Compliance

~ The Tacoma City Council has recently passed Ordinance 29107, a significant update to the Stormwater Management Manual and amendments to the Tacoma Municipal Code. This update, which will go into effect on July 1, 2026, fulfills a mandatory five-year requirement set by the Washington State Department of Ecology under the city's municipal stormwater permit.

After a year and a half of thorough technical review and public input, the adopted ordinance reflects a rigorous state equivalency process aimed at protecting the health of local waterways. By aligning with the 2024 state manual, Tacoma's standards will remain equivalent to those of neighboring jurisdictions such as Seattle, King County, and Pierce County.

One of the key updates in the manual is providing developers with more flexible and performance-based tools for managing stormwater on new and redevelopment sites. These tools include various green stormwater best management practices like infiltration swales, flow dispersion, and ballasted sidewalks. Additionally, there are new requirements for tree planting and retention of existing healthy trees as effective methods for mitigating stormwater impacts on-site.

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In addition to these measures, the updated manual also implements practical and science-based protocols for managing specific pollutants. Notably, it introduces new requirements for controlling Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) during demolition, renovation or routine external building washdown of commercial, industrial and multi-story residential buildings constructed or renovated between 1950-1980. Single-family residential homes are exempt from these requirements.

With the adoption of this ordinance by the City Council, city staff are now focusing on outreach and education efforts to prepare for its implementation in 2026. This comprehensive update to Tacoma's Stormwater Management Manual demonstrates their commitment to safeguarding the environment while also promoting responsible development practices within the city.

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