Last Updated 07/16/2026
Excerpt from Battle Ground, Washington Municipal Code
Chapter 18
18.250.190 Drainage Structure Labeling and Signage
18.250.300 Ownership of Stormwater Facilities
18.250.310 Maintenance
A. Initial Maintenance.
1. To ensure satisfactory operation of new public stormwater facilities, the applicant constructing the facility shall maintain it for two years after completion of the project. A maintenance agreement stating that the applicant will be responsible for the maintenance of the facility must be recorded prior to engineering acceptance.
2. The applicant shall post and maintain a maintenance bond or other security acceptable to the director during this two-year initial maintenance period. The purpose of the maintenance bond is to cover the cost of design defects or failures in workmanship of the facilities. The amount of the maintenance bond shall be twenty percent of the construction cost of the stormwater facilities.
B. Long-Term Maintenance.
1. Final plats shall include a note specifying the party(s) responsible for long-term maintenance of stormwater facilities.
2. If private parties are to provide long-term maintenance of a stormwater facility, a maintenance covenant will be required. The covenant shall include an agreement to transfer maintenance responsibilities to future occupants or owners of the property. Said covenant shall be recorded prior to engineering acceptance.
3. If the city provides long-term maintenance of a stormwater facility, all the following requirements shall be met:
a. The facilities shall be inspected and approved by the director prior to acceptance. Required remedial work to correct design, construction, and maintenance deficiencies shall be completed by the project developer prior to acceptance; and
b. All necessary ownerships and easements entitling the city to properly access and maintain the facility shall be conveyed to the city and recorded with the county auditor.
C. The city shall inspect privately maintained facilities for compliance with the requirements of this chapter. Facilities shall be maintained to the standards set forth in the city of Battle Ground stormwater facility maintenance manual, or the design engineer provided maintenance manual. If the parties responsible for long-term maintenance fail to maintain their facilities to acceptable standards, the city shall issue a written notice specifying required actions to be taken in order to bring the facilities into compliance. Following the written warning the city will enforce maintenance requirements as detailed in BGMC 18.250.040.
View State Page
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the stormwater facilities in Battle Ground?
Whether a stormwater facility is publicly or privately owned depends on its location and what runoff it manages. Stormwater facilities located in public road rights-of-way are owned and maintained by the City. Facilities that manage runoff only from private property are owned and maintained by the private property owner. Facilities that manage runoff from both public and private property are generally privately owned and maintained, unless the City director approves a different arrangement. Stormwater facilities serving single-family residential subdivisions are typically publicly owned and maintained. When in doubt about a specific facility, contact the City of Battle Ground Engineering Division at 360-342-5070.
What are the initial maintenance requirements for new stormwater facilities in Battle Ground?
Under BGMC 18.250.310(A), the applicant who constructs a new public stormwater facility is responsible for maintaining it for two years after project completion. This initial maintenance period ensures satisfactory operation before the City accepts the facility. A maintenance agreement stating the applicant’s responsibility for maintenance must be recorded prior to engineering acceptance. The applicant must also post and maintain a maintenance bond or other security acceptable to the director during this two-year period. The bond amount is set at twenty percent of the construction cost of the stormwater facilities and is intended to cover the cost of design defects or workmanship failures.
What are the long-term maintenance requirements for private stormwater facilities in Battle Ground?
Under BGMC 18.250.310(B), final plats must include a note identifying the party or parties responsible for long-term maintenance of stormwater facilities. If private parties are responsible for long-term maintenance, a recorded maintenance covenant is required. The covenant must include an agreement to transfer maintenance responsibilities to future occupants or owners of the property and must be recorded prior to engineering acceptance. Private stormwater facilities must be maintained to the standards set forth in the City of Battle Ground Stormwater Facility Maintenance Manual, or the maintenance manual provided by the design engineer. The City conducts inspections of all privately maintained facilities to verify compliance with these standards.
What happens if a private stormwater facility owner fails to maintain their facility?
If a private stormwater facility is found to be out of compliance during a City inspection, the City will issue a written notice specifying the required corrective actions and the timeframe for compliance. If the responsible party does not bring the facility into compliance following this written notice, the City will enforce maintenance requirements as detailed in BGMC 18.250.040, which references the enforcement and penalty procedures in BGMC Chapter 18.255 and BGMC Title 20. The director is authorized to use these enforcement tools to bring facilities into compliance with the chapter’s requirements. AQUALIS can assist commercial property owners in Battle Ground with preventive maintenance programs and corrective action documentation to avoid enforcement action.
Does the City of Battle Ground inspect private stormwater facilities?
Yes. As required by the Washington State Department of Ecology under its NPDES Phase II permit requirements, the City inspects all private stormwater facilities within the city. There are approximately 100 private stormwater facilities in Battle Ground, including swales and other features, which the City works with property owners to keep in compliance with Ecology regulations. These inspections verify that private facilities are functioning as designed, are being maintained to the required standards, and are not causing stormwater pollution or flooding. The City maintains an ongoing inventory and inspection program for both public and private facilities.
What maintenance standards apply to private stormwater facilities in Battle Ground?
Private stormwater facilities in Battle Ground must be maintained to the standards set forth in the City of Battle Ground Stormwater Facility Maintenance Manual. If a design engineer prepared a maintenance manual specific to a facility, the facility must also be maintained in accordance with that document. Maintenance standards typically address sediment and debris removal, vegetation management, structural integrity, inlet and outlet function, and water quality treatment performance.
What business source control requirements apply to commercial properties in Battle Ground?
Under the City’s NPDES Phase II permit, Battle Ground is required to implement a source control program for pollution-generating sources at commercial and industrial businesses. The City inspects businesses annually, with a goal of inspecting at least 20 percent of applicable businesses each year. During source control inspections, City staff evaluate outdoor storage and materials handling areas, loading and unloading zones, vehicle maintenance areas, dumpster and waste management areas, and any operations that could allow pollutants to reach storm drains. Commercial property owners are expected to implement best management practices (BMPs) appropriate to their operations to prevent stormwater pollution. Businesses that receive a written notice of required corrective action following a source control inspection should contact AQUALIS for assistance with BMP implementation and compliance documentation.
What stormwater services does AQUALIS provide for properties in Battle Ground?
AQUALIS provides comprehensive stormwater management services for commercial properties, HOAs, and institutional facilities in Battle Ground and throughout Washington State. Services include annual private stormwater facility inspections and maintenance documentation that satisfy BGMC 18.250.310 and the City’s NPDES permit inspection requirements, catch basin cleaning and repair, storm drain jetting and vactor services, CCTV pipe inspection, stormwater facility condition assessments, source control BMP implementation, NOV response and corrective action documentation, and pond and wet facility management and dredging. AQUALIS documentation is prepared to meet the standards required by the City of Battle Ground Stormwater Division and the City of Battle Ground Stormwater Facility Maintenance Manual. Contact AQUALIS to get started.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Regulations change frequently — AQUALIS makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this content, and any reliance on it is at your own risk. Consult a qualified professional or your local regulatory authority to confirm requirements applicable to your specific property.
