Last Updated 08/14/2026
Stormwater Code: Excerpts from Mansfield, OH Code of Ordinance
Chapter 1361 Stormwater Management
1361.03 ADOPTION OF "CITY OF MANSFIELD STORMWATER DESIGN MANUAL”.
(a) Subject to the provisions set forth in this chapter, the City of Mansfield hereby adopts the “City of Mansfield Stormwater Design Manual” which provides policy, standards, applicability, criteria, requirements, recommendations and guidance for general stormwater drainage, stormwater quantity, and stormwater quality management in the City of Mansfield that are not provided explicitly in this chapter.
A copy of the “City of Mansfield Stormwater Design Manual” is hereby referenced and adopted as part of this chapter.
(b) The City Engineer is authorized to amend, supplement or revise the “City of Mansfield Stormwater Design Manual.” The City of Mansfield Stormwater Design Manual, shall be made available in the Office of the City Engineer, and may be updated and expanded from time to time, at the discretion of the City Engineering Department, based on improvements in the engineering, science, monitoring, local maintenance experience, and federal and state regulations.
(c) At a minimum, the “City of Mansfield Stormwater Design Manual” shall meet the technical requirements set forth in the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency NPDES general stormwater permit(s) for construction activities and any subsequent Ohio
Environmental Protection Agency issued permits.
7.3 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
1361.10 MAINTENANCE OF STORMWATER DRAINAGE FACILITIES AND CONTROL STRUCTURES.
When stormwater management facilities and control structures are located on private property, it is the private post-construction operator’s/developer’s responsibility to inspect and properly maintain the facilities. In addition, an Operation and Maintenance Plan shall be developed and implemented in accordance with the Stormwater Design Manual. The maintenance of minor detention in areas such as swales, etc. on individual parcels or lots in new subdivisions shall be the responsibility of the individual parcel or lot owners. Special provisions shall be written into the deeds for the individual parcels or lots in new subdivisions, so the owners are aware that the parcels or lots are used for temporary stormwater storage. The City shall require all of the stormwater drainage facilities and control structures to be designed to minimize maintenance costs.
1361.12 ENFORCEMENT
(a) If the City of Mansfield or its duly authorized representative determines that a violation of the rules adopted under this code exists, the City of Mansfield or representative may issue an immediate stop work order if the violator failed to obtain any federal, state, or local permit necessary for sediment and erosion control, earth movement, clearing, or cut and fill activity.
(b) All development areas may be subject to external inspections by the City Engineer and/or designee to ensure compliance with the regulation.
(c) After each external inspection, the City Engineer and/or designee shall prepare and distribute a status report to the applicant.
(d) If an external inspection determines that the operations are being conducted in violation of any of the provisions of this regulation the City Engineer and/or designee may take action as detailed in Section 1361.13 of this regulation.
1361.13 VIOLATIONS
(a) No person shall violate or cause or knowingly permit to be violated any of the provisions of this regulation or fail to comply with any of such provisions or with any lawful requirements of any public authority made pursuant to this regulation, or knowingly use or cause or permit the use of any lands in violation of this regulation or in violation of any permit granted under this regulation.
(b) Upon notice, the City Engineer and/or designee may suspend any active soil disturbing activity for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days and may require immediate erosion and sediment control measures whenever he or she determines that such activity is not meeting the intent of this regulation. Such notice shall be in writing, shall be given to the applicant, and shall state the conditions under which work may be resumed. In instances, where the City Engineer and/or designee finds that the immediate action is necessary for public safety or the public interest, he or she may require that work be stopped upon verbal order pending issuance of the written notice.
(c) Notice of Violation. Whenever the City finds that a person has violated a prohibition or failed to meet a requirement of this Chapter, the City may order compliance by written notice of violation to the owner and/or occupant. Such notice may require without limitation:
(1) Specific details about the violation;
(2) Violating discharges, practices, or operations shall cease and desist;
(3) Specific details about the elimination of illicit connections or discharges;
(4) The abatement or remediation of stormwater pollution or contamination hazards and the restoration of any affected property;
(5) The timeframe within which the violator must cure any deficiencies;
(6) In addition to any other monetary penalties set forth in these regulations, the owner and/or occupant shall reimburse the City for
the time expended by its representatives and the City shall further be reimbursed any remediation costs via an administrative fee and costs passed through to the owner;
(7) The implementation of source control or treatment Sediment Control Measures; and,
(8) The performance of monitoring, analyses, and reporting required.
(d) If it is determined that a violation of this Chapter exists fourteen (14) days following the notice of violation, the responsible person shall be notified of the deficiencies or noncompliance and stop work order by the Office of the City Engineer in writing and by certified mail. Upon issuance of the final letter for noncompliance and stop work order, the deficiencies or noncompliance shall be reported to the law director.
(e) Abatement. If abatement of a violation and/or restoration of affected property is required, the notice shall set forth a deadline within which such remediation or restoration must be completed. Said notice shall further advise that, should the violator fail to remediate or restore within the established deadline, the works will be completed by a designated governmental agency or contractor of the City’s choosing and the expenses thereof, including actual City representatives’ time, shall be charged to the violator.
Stormwater Design Manual
8.0 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PLANS
The owner/developer of a site that includes the implementation of structural and nonstructural BMPs to manage stormwater from the site and provide qualitative treatment shall prepare an Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Plan. The O&M plan shall be submitted to the City for review and shall be approved prior to the commencement of construction activities. The O&M Plan shall meet the minimum
requirements of the latest version of the Ohio EPA General Construction Permit and include an O&M Agreement signed by the owner/developer and a requirement for annual inspection reports filed on forms provided by the City and conducted by a licensed Ohio Professional Engineer, Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC), or Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ).
The Ohio EPA General Construction permit can be found at the following link:
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/permits/GP_ConstructionSiteStormWater.aspx
The O&M plan shall be a stand-alone document which contains the following minimum requirements:
a. A designated entity for stormwater inspection and maintenance responsibilities.
b. The routine and non-routine maintenance tasks to be undertaken.
c. A schedule for inspection and maintenance tasks.
d. Any necessary legally binding maintenance easements and agreements.
e. A map showing the location of the BMPs and access and maintenance easements.
f. BMP details.
g. Procedures for properly disposing of collected pollutants within the BMPs in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
An O&M plan template and the Inspection and Maintenance Agreement are provided within
Appendix A. The post-construction operator of the site that is responsible for maintaining the BMP’s per the plan is required to inspect the BMP’s and forward a copy of the inspection report to the City Engineer on an annual basis. Post-construction BMP inspection reports are provided within Appendix B.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What stormwater regulations apply to properties in Mansfield, Ohio?
Properties in Mansfield fall under the city’s stormwater ordinance, administered by the City of Mansfield as the local permitting authority under its NPDES program. The city has inspection and enforcement powers over post-construction stormwater facilities and open space areas tied to approved stormwater control plans.
Who enforces stormwater compliance in Mansfield?
The City of Mansfield enforces its stormwater requirements, including inspecting properties for noncompliance and issuing notices of violation when deficiencies are found.
What are property owners responsible for maintaining after a stormwater project is complete in Mansfield?
Owners are responsible for maintaining all on-site stormwater control facilities and open space areas in accordance with the approved stormwater control plan, and for keeping those facilities properly maintained and functioning on an ongoing basis.
Does my property deed need to mention stormwater storage in Mansfield?
In some cases, yes. Deeds for individual parcels used for temporary stormwater storage must include special provisions noting that use, so future owners are aware of the stormwater function tied to the property.
Does the City of Mansfield inspect stormwater facilities on private property?
Yes. The city may inspect properties to check for noncompliance and can issue a notice of violation for any deficiencies found.
What happens if I violate Mansfield's stormwater ordinance?
A violation constitutes a minor misdemeanor. Each offense can carry a fine, and each day a violation continues is treated as a separate offense.
How can AQUALIS help with stormwater compliance in Mansfield?
AQUALIS helps property owners maintain on-site stormwater facilities and open space areas to Mansfield’s standards, supports stormwater management plan preparation for construction projects, documents easement and maintenance access requirements, and helps owners respond to and resolve notices of violation before they escalate.
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.
