Stormwater Drainage Manual

The Stormwater Drainage Manual establishes stormwater control requirements for all new public and private development and redevelopment in the City of Columbus. It requires post construction stormwater controls for both water quality and water quantity.

The 2022 Manual shall be used for designs submitted after January 4, 2023. Please see the manual for a full explanation of how it will be applied. Note: SCP = Stormwater Control Practice.

• 2022 Columbus Stormwater Drainage Manual(PDF, 4MB)
• SCP As Built Certification(DOCX, 24KB)
  • How to: Certification Submittal Guidance(PDF, 314KB)
• SCP Construction Bond(DOCX, 15KB)
• SCP Easement(PDF, 67KB) For reference only. All easements must be prepared and recorded by the City.
• SCP Inspection and Maintenance Guidance Manual(PDF, 3MB) (IMGM)
• SCP Inspection and Maintenance Agreement(PDF, 2MB) (Fillable Form)
  • Form Instructions(PDF, 294KB)
• 2021 Stormwater Drainage Manual(PDF, 5MB) (235 pages)
• 2012 Stormwater Drainage Manual(PDF, 5MB) (321 pages)
• Stormwater Credit Rule(PDF, 103KB)
• Stormwater Credit Guidance(PDF, 223KB) document which includes the application form.

NPDES & Related Documents

NPDES Permit(PDF, 901KB)

NPDES Annual Reports:

• 2021 NPDES Annual Report(PDF, 20MB)
• 2020 NPDES Annual Report(PDF, 11MB)
• 2019 NPDES Annual Report(PDF, 31MB)
• 2018 NPDES Annual Report(PDF, 27MB)
• 2017 NPDES Annual Report(PDF, 17MB)
• 2016 NPDES Annual Report(PDF, 28MB)
• 2015 NPDES Annual Report(PDF, 21MB)
• 2014 NPDES Annual Report(PDF, 14MB)
• 2013 NPDES Annual Report(PDF, 15MB)
• 2012 NPDES Annual Report(PDF, 35MB)

Stormwater Variance Requests

Three types of variances from the Stormwater Drainage Manual are possible. Learn about the application process, join a list to receive notice when requests are submitted, or view the list of submitted requests. NOTE: An updated SWDM Guidance Document is forthcoming. Please contact Greg Fedner at 614-645-8072 or by email at gfedner@columbus.gov for questions related to this document and other SWDM variance issues.

Stormwater Variance Requests

Stream Corridor Protection Zones

The City's Stormwater Drainage Manual requires developers to establish Stream Corridor Protection Zones (SCPZ) when new development or redevelopment is proposed on property where streams are located. SCPZs consist of the stream and the riparian area along it and are protected through either deed and plat restrictions, easements or by City ownership. The purpose of the SCPZ is to allow the natural, lateral movement of open water courses, provide sufficient area for flood conveyance, protect water quality and prevent structures from being impacted by natural streambank erosion.

Stream Corridor Protection Zones

Drafts of Proposed Regulations

Pursuant to Columbus City Code 1145.11 and 1145.81, the Department of Public Utilities presents a revised draft(PDF, 4MB) of the Stormwater Drainage Manual for public comment. The Manual provides the stormwater control standards for development and redevelopment of public and private property. It was last revised in May 2021.

Please direct any comments to ColumbusSWDM@columbus.gov. Comments will be accepted through November 5, 2022.