Regulations

​Stormwater Management Permit

This is intended to be a general summary of the application process. Variations may occur. For specific details, refer to the Post-Construction Administrative Manual​.

• Required for development and/or redevelopment activities.

• Issued by Mecklenburg County Land Development in coordination with the jurisdiction.

• Governs the design, installation, and construction of stormwater management and control practices on the site, including structural Best Management Practices (BMPs).

• Without a permit, each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate offense and an additional fine of up to $5,000 per ​day.        

Steps for Permit and Plan Review​

Concept Plan

• Pre-submittal or Pre-resubmittal meetings required for Concept Plans. Please refer to Town & County Plan Intake Checklist for specifics.

• A Land Development Application must be filled out electronically and uploaded into the Electronic Plan Management (EPM) system. Additionally, the following items should be included where applicable:

• Plans and calculations (must be sealed by professional designer)

• Address verification form signed by County GIS Department

• Traffic Impact Study/Analysis (TIS/TIA)

• Fee payment submitted with first submittal
  

• Follow the Plan Review Ch​ecklist.

• As part of the Concept Plan application, the applicant can request an optional consultation meeting with staff.

• Applicants can request an exemption from buffer requirements on certain stream buffers shown on POLARIS. Use the Stream Reach Evalu​ation Form​ to request the exemption.

• Mitigation options are not offered in the Town of Cornelius.

Stormwater Management Permit (SWMP)

• Pre-submittal or Pre-resubmittal meetings required for Storm Water Management Permit. Please refer to Town & County Plan Intake Checklist for specifics.

• A Land Development application must be filled out electronically and uploaded with the following into the Electronic Plan Management (EPM) system:

• Plans and calculations (must be sealed by professional designer)

• Financial Responsibility Form (must be notarized) for erosion control

• Address Verification Form signed by County GIS Department

• BMP Inset Table must be included on plan sheets for each BMP
  
  

• Design Proce​dure Form for each BMP (if applicable)

• BMP Maintenance C​ov​enant and Plan* (if applicable) - *Submit documents into the Electronic Plan Management (EPM) system for review. Following approval, these documents must be recorded at the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds Office and a copy of the recorded documents uploaded into the EPM system during the SWMP review and plat review stages.

• BMP Maintenan​ce Costs Form for each BMP (if applicable)

• Fee payment submitted with first submittal    

• Staff will review the Permit Application and associated submittals within 21 calendar days. Submittals that do not comply will be returned with "redlines." According to Post Construction regulations, the applicant has 60 calendar days to resubmit their corrected plan submittal or otherwise face starting all over with additional fees.

• As project plans are approved in the Electronic Plan Management (EPM) system, electronic stamps are placed on the plans and the applicant receives an email with an approval letter from Mecklenburg County
  stating the next steps to take and, if applicable, an NPDES Packet (if grading > 1 acre). Electronically approved stamped plans are then available for downloading and printing.

​Permit Issuance/Pre-Construction Conference 

Construction, Inspections and Plats     

• Staff will conduct on-site inspections during development and/or construction.

• Written notice will be issued for site deficiencies.   

• Submit final plats and associated easements into the Electronic Management Plan (EPM) system for review and approval.   

• Following approval, the plats and easements must be recorded at the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds Office and an electronic copy of the recorded plat emailed to the County Plat Reviewer to upload into the Electronic Management Plan (EPM) system.

• Follow ​the Final Plat Checklist.

Stormwater Bonds and Certificates of Occupancy​

• A BMP Installation Bond (Performance Bond) must be submitted if a Certificate of Occupancy is needed prior to the completion of the Stormwater Management structure(s). 

• A two-year BMP Maintenanc​e Bond​ must be submitted prior to the final approval and release of the project.

​Final Inspection and Approval of BMPs      

• Once compliance is confirmed, the BMP installation bond will be released and an As-Built Approval email will be sent to the design engineer.