Last Updated 08/20/2026
Excerpt from the City of New Bern Stormwater Management Manual
1.2.5 Maintaining BMPs
In order to be effective, BMPs for stormwater control must be appropriately maintained. The New Bern Stormwater Program includes an annual Inspection program under which City staff, or others working in their behalf, will inspect all BMPs and their maintenance records. The program provides procedures under which the City will accept the responsibility to maintain BMPs servicing residential properties and establishes the requirement that BMPs servicing non-residential properties be maintained by their owners. The City will have the authority and capacity to perform necessary maintenance of all BMPs and will charge delinquent owners for maintenance services that the City performs.
3.1.4 Maintenance Plans
…The [Stormwater Management] Plan must address the normal and emergency procedures that will be followed to avoid:
- Any condition, which blocks, hinders or obstructs, in any way the natural or intended flow of surface waters;
- The improper operation of any stormwater retention or impoundment device or any structure or device used for the improvement of the quality of surface runoff;
- Any condition that would damage the City’s stormwater collection system or that would harm the quality of the City’s waters;
- Any other conditions specifically declared to be a danger to the public health, safety, and general welfare of inhabitants of the City.
Failure to properly operate and maintain stormwater facilities and BMPs in accordance with the Stormwater Management Plan is a violation of the City’s Stormwater Ordinance.
3.2 Maintenance Records and Inspections
…Whenever inspections are conducted, the Stormwater Permittee shall make available records of the maintenance of all stormwater facilities and BMPs. At a minimum those records shall contain:
- Descriptions, including design drawings, of any structural changes to a BMP and the dates on which construction of those changes were begun and completed.
- Descriptions, including landscape drawings, of any changes in the drainage pathways included in the site’s stormwater management plan and in any drainage pathways leading to or from a BMP.
- Descriptions to include volumes and material descriptions, of any excavation or fill operations to or impacting a BMP or the drainage of stormwater to or from a BMP and including the dates when those operations were begun and completed.
- Confirmation of completion over the previous year of all the routine maintenance items required by each BMP and documented in the Stormwater Management Plan.
Failure to perform required or emergency maintenance, or to maintain and provide the required records of that maintenance is a violation of the City’s Stormwater Ordinance
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is post-construction stormwater management, and does it apply to my property in New Bern?
Post-construction stormwater management covers the ongoing responsibility to maintain the stormwater control facilities and open space areas on your property according to its approved stormwater control plan. In New Bern, BMPs serving non-residential properties must be maintained by their owners, and this maintenance is a continuing obligation that lasts for the life of the property, not just through the construction phase. AQUALIS provides full post-construction stormwater management for property owners across New Bern, so BMPs stay compliant well after a project is finished.
What routine maintenance am I required to complete on my New Bern property's stormwater BMP?
New Bern requires property owners to complete the routine maintenance items documented in their Stormwater Management Plan and to document that maintenance completion on an annual basis. This means the maintenance plan filed for your property is not just a formality, it is the checklist the City expects you to actually follow and prove you followed. AQUALIS carries out this routine maintenance for New Bern property owners and keeps the annual documentation current and accurate.
What records do I need to keep for my stormwater BMP in New Bern?
Property owners in New Bern must maintain detailed records for their stormwater facilities, including design drawings, documentation of any landscape changes, and descriptions of excavation work performed near or on the BMP. These records are what an inspector reviews to confirm the facility still matches its approved design. AQUALIS maintains this documentation for every property it services in New Bern, so records are ready whenever the City requests them.
How often does the City of New Bern inspect stormwater BMPs?
New Bern conducts annual inspections of all BMPs and their associated maintenance records, and property owners must be able to provide documentation of maintenance activities and any structural changes made to the facility during that inspection. Property owners who cannot produce this documentation on inspection day put themselves at risk of a violation. AQUALIS prepares New Bern properties for their annual inspection, ensuring maintenance records and documentation are organized and ready in advance.
What happens if I don't maintain my stormwater BMP in New Bern?
New Bern’s ordinance is direct on this point: failure to maintain a required stormwater facility constitutes a violation. The City also prohibits conditions that block, hinder, or obstruct water flow, or that damage the City’s broader stormwater system, both of which can result from a neglected BMP. AQUALIS provides non-compliance resolution for New Bern property owners, correcting maintenance issues before they rise to the level of a violation.
Who is responsible for stormwater BMP maintenance if I bought a New Bern property with an existing system?
Maintenance responsibility for a New Bern non-residential property’s BMP transfers to whoever owns the property, along with the ongoing documentation and annual inspection requirements, regardless of who was involved in the facility’s original installation. New owners are often unaware of this until the City’s annual inspection comes due. AQUALIS reviews the maintenance and inspection history for newly acquired New Bern properties and takes over the ongoing responsibility from there.
Where can property owners in New Bern get help with post-construction stormwater compliance?
Post-construction stormwater compliance in New Bern involves completing and documenting routine maintenance, keeping detailed facility records, passing an annual inspection, and avoiding conditions that obstruct water flow, all of which carry the risk of a violation if neglected. Managing all of this without dedicated stormwater staff is difficult for most property owners. AQUALIS offers complete post-construction stormwater management for New Bern property owners, covering maintenance, recordkeeping, annual inspection preparation, and non-compliance resolution, so owners can meet the City’s requirements without managing the process themselves.
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.
