City of Binghamton, New York Erosion Control Ordinances

The City of Binghamton, New York’s erosion control ordinances require property owners seeking permits for construction to submit an Urban Runoff Reduction Plan (URRP) to demonstrate how they will manage stormwater after construction.  The URRP must show how the development will manage a 10-year, 24-hour storm event and include green infrastructure techniques.  Like Seattle Washington’s stormwater ordinance, the clear requirement to include green infrastructure takes the code beyond simple retention, specifying the best management practices (BMPs) that the city most wants to see, such as green roofs.  

Binghamton’s zoning code also increases the maximum allowable lot coverage for buildings with green roofs as an additional incentive for that particular practice.

Binghamton’s City Ordinance Chapter 227 on Erosion Control designates the Urban Runoff Reduction Plan as required for all new parking lots, Commercial development, Residential units; and any project located within the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Special Flood Hazard Area.

The following green infrastructure and stormwater management features are recommended, with the exception of subsection (3)(a) which is required where applicable:

(1) Increase permeable areas, for example through the conservation of natural areas, detention ponds or infiltration pits; catch and divert runoff into rain gardens, bioswales, bio-retention areas; pervious pavement; green roofs and green gutters.

(2) Minimize the amount of runoff directed to impermeable areas and/or maximize storm water storage for reuse: by installing rain gutters in permeable areas; modifying property grades; using sediment traps, using retention structures such as rain barrels or cisterns; allowing stormwater to flow into permeable or landscaped areas; and the installation of separate stormwater systems.

(3) Reduce parking area run-off and pollution. (a) (REQUIRED) All off-street parking areas shall have the capability to contain 4 inches of precipitation in a 24 hour period. Options to meet this requirement include use of vegetated filter strips, bioswales, rain gardens, tree box filters, stormwater planters and pervious pavement to capture and percolate runoff.

Publication Date: 2011

Related Organizations:

• City of Binghamton, New York

Related Toolkits:

• Green Infrastructure Toolkit > Scaling Up: Integrating Green Infrastructure into Existing Processes > Regulatory Tools

Sectors:

• Small Communities
• Land use and built environment
• Urban
• Small communities

Resource Category:

• Law and Governance

Resource Types:

• Regulation

States Affected:

• New York

Impacts:

• Precipitation changes
• Water quality

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