Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs)

Stormwater Control Measure (SCM) Design

Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) are physical, engineered structures that are constructed to remove pollution from stormwater runoff.

The Town of Chapel Hill Engineering Design Manual has information about design and acceptable techniques and controls to comply with the requirements of the LUMO. Acceptable stormwater management practices include those found in the most recent addition of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual. The Town reserves the right to modify, amend, restrict, or otherwise change these accepted practices as may be necessary to achieve stated stormwater management goals.

Inspections for Development

The Stormwater As-Built and Closeout Checklists ensure that all stormwater infrastructure, including Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs), is accurately documented, certified, and compliant with approved plans before a development project is finalized and the corresponding permit is closed out.

These checklists are used to verify that stormwater systems are properly constructed, serving as a prerequisite for receiving a certificate of occupancy.

As-Built Checklist (PDF, 131KB)

Closeout Checklist(PDF, 92KB)

Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Agreements

Each SCM in the Town of Chapel Hill is required to have a recorded Stormwater Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Agreement and Stormwater Operations and Maintenance Plan with the Orange County Register of Deeds with the final plat. The original must be submitted to the Town.

The Stormwater Operations and Maintenance Plans for the applicable SCM are below:

Engineer's Stormwater Control Measure Certification(PDF, 53KB)

Stormwater Operations and Maintenance Plan Agreement(PDF, 175KB) (Updated January 2025)
Stormwater Operations and Maintenance Log Sheet(PDF, 132KB)
Bioretention Cell Maintenance Plan(PDF, 169KB)
Dry Pond Maintenance Plan(PDF, 175KB)
Infiltration Basin Maintenance Plan (PDF, 175KB)
Infiltration Trench Maintenance Plan(PDF, 156KB)
Grass Swale Maintenance Plan (PDF, 170KB)
Sand Filter Maintenance Plan (PDF, 158KB)
Stormwater Wetland Maintenance Plan(PDF, 177KB)
Wet Pond Maintenance Plan (PDF, 176KB)
Rainwater Harvesting(PDF, 142KB)
Permeable Pavement(PDF, 161KB)
Engineered Tree Pit (PDF, 156KB)
Storm filter Maintenance Plan(PDF, 154KB)
Underground Detention Maintenance Plan(PDF, 155KB)

How to Find Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Agreements Online

The county Register of Deeds maintains recorded stormwater facility agreements and O&M plans. Here is how to find the O&M plan for your property:

Find your property identification number (PIN).
- If your property is in Orange County, search for the property by the address or property owner names using the Orange County Interactive GIS Mapping System
- If your property is in Durham County, search for the property by the address or property owner names using the Durham County Real Property Record Search
Go to the Register of Deeds public database.
- If your property is in Orange County, go to the Orange County Register of Deeds
- If your property is in Durham County, go to the Durham County Register of Deeds
Enter the PIN to search for your property in the box in the upper right hand corner labeled "Description/PIN"
In the column titled "Kind," look for these file types: S/INS, AGMT, or COV.

This process will not work for every property, but it's a good place to start. This process will NOT work for:

Properties where the PIN has changed, such as when the property lines have been redrawn due to recombination or subdivision
Finding the PIN for the HOA common area that may have a Stormwater Control Measure (SCM)

Annual Inspection Report Guidelines and Forms

Section 5.4.8 (c) of the Chapel Hill Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) requires that “All stormwater management facilities must be inspected by the responsible party, in accordance with the approved schedule in the stormwater operation and maintenance plan, to identify maintenance and repair needs, and to ensure compliance with the requirement of the recorded operation and maintenance plan.”

The property owner is responsible for the annual inspection of permitted stormwater control measures. The inspection must be performed by a licensed North Carolina Professional Engineer or Landscape Architect with qualified professional stormwater management inspection and maintenance training. The professionals must maintain stormwater training and provide proof of certification or evidence of having taken training upon request.

Please follow the SCM Inspection Report Guidelines(PDF, 207KB) for completing the inspection reports. If a site fails inspection, the report is still due to the Town by the inspection deadline. A 60-day period is then granted for repairs. Note that annual inspection reports submitted are subject to follow-up inspection by Town staff.

A cover sheet is required with each Inspection Report submittal. Please submit electronic reports only.

The Inspection Report forms are below:

Inspectors and Repair Contractors

The Town of Chapel Hill requires annual inspections of Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs). Inspections must be performed by a licensed North Carolina Professional Engineer or Landscape Architect with qualified professional stormwater management inspection and maintenance training. The professionals must maintain stormwater training and provide proof of certification or evidence of having taken training upon request.

The link below provides a list of qualified professionals per these requirements. This listing of potential stormwater professionals does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the Town. This is a self-reported list and we recommend verifying individual experience and qualifications prior to hiring. Staff updated this list as of October 2025.

LOCAL SCM IMSPECTORS AND SCM CONTRACTORS(PDF, 197KB)

If you would like to be listed for such services, please fill out this form.