Last Updated 07/27/2026
City of Orem Storm Water Management Plan 2021-2026
23-4-8 Long-term Stormwater Runoff Control
Stormwater Design Manual
Currently, the City of Orem doe snot have a Stormwater Design Manual. It reserves the right that in the future additional policy, criteria and information including specifications and standards, for the proper implementation of the requirements of this section and may provide such information in the for of a storm water design manual.
23-4-8 (7) General Performance and Site Design Criteria for Long-term Storm Water Management
Performace Criteria
The following performance criteria shall be addressed for storm water management at all sites governed by this section.
- All site designs shall establish storm water management practices to mirror predevelopment hydrology of the previously underdeveloped site or to improve the hydrology of a redeveloped site to the maximum extent practicable. The best available technology and information shall be used to analysis and design of a storm water management system to meet the requirements of this Section.
- These practices should seek to utilize LID (ow Impact Development) for stormwater treatment and to infiltrate storm water runoff from driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and landscaped areas to the maximum extent practical to provide treatment for both water quality and quantity. The process shall include evaluations of BMPs considered and rationale as to why or why not they have been selected. All rooftop drainage is required to drain to landscaped areas unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer.
- All stormwater runoff generated from new development or redevelopment sites shall not discharge untreated stormwater directly into a wetland or waters of the state of Utah including the storm water system without treatment to the maximum extent practical. In no case shall the impact on wetlands be any less than allowed by the Army Corps of Engineers.
- Each plan shall include an assessment of post construction storm water impacts upon downstream and upstream properties. The assessment of stormwater quality and quantity impacts shall be based on the standards contain within this section, at a minimum. The assessment of upstream impacts must be provided, at a minimum, for property or properties located immediately upstream and/or adjacent to the proposed development or redevelopment. The assessment of downstream impacts shall be made by evaluating a site’s contribution to stormwater runoff to a suitable downstream point.
Maintenance Agreements
All stormwater practices shall be maintained in accordance with the approved and deeded storm water maintenance agreement and Long-term Storm Water Management Plan. All stormwater treatment practices shall have an enforceable operations and maintenance activities to ensure the system functions as designed. This agreement will include any an all maintenance easements required to access and inspect the stormwater treatment practices, and to perform routine maintenance as necessary to ensure the system functioning of the stormwater treatment practice, In addition, the agreement needs to specify the parties responsible for the proper maintenance of all storm water treatment practices prior to issuance of any permits for development or redevelopment activities.
23-4-8 (10) Maintenance and Repair of Stormwater Facilities
Maintenance Easement
Prior to commencing development or redevelopment activities on a site, the applicant or owner of the site must execute a maintenance easement agreement that shall be binding on all subsequent owners of land served by stormwater management facility The agreement shall provide for access to the facility at reasonable times for periodic inspection by the city, or their contractor, or agent, and for regular or special assessments of landowners to ensure that the facility is maintained in proper working condition to meet design, water quality standards and any other provisions established by this section. The city shall record the easement agreement with Utah County Recorder.
Maintenance Agreements
Maintenance of all stormwater management facilities shall be ensured through the creation of a formal maintenance agreement must be approved by the City and recorded into the land record prior to Final Long-term Storm Water Management Plan approval. As a part of the agreement, a schedule shall be developed for when and how often maintenance will occur to ensure roper unction f the storm water management facilities. The agreement shall also include plans for periodic inspection to ensure proper performance of the facility between scheduled cleanouts.
- All stormwater management facilities must undergo, at the minimum, an annual inspection to document maintenance and repair needs and ensure compliance with the requirements of this Section and accomplishment of its purposes. These needs may include removal of silt, litter and other debris from all catch basins, inlets and drainage pipes, grass cutting and vegetation removal, and necessary replacement of landscape vegetation. Any maintenance needs found must be addressed in a timely manner and the inspection and maintenance requirement may be increased as deemed necessary to ensure proper functioning of the storm water management facility. At its discretion and as reflected in the maintenance agreement, the City may authorize the use of private inspectors to conduct and document post construction maintenance inspections.
Failure to Maintain Practices
If a responsible party fails or refuses to meet the requirements of the maintenance agreement, the City, after reasonable notice, may correct a violation of the design standards or maintenance needs by performing all necessary work to place the facility in proper working condition. In the event that the storm water management facility becomes a danger to public safety or public health, the City shall notify the party responsible for maintenance of the storm water management facility in writing. Upon the receipt of that notice, the person responsible shall have five calendar days to effect maintenance and repair the facility in the approved manner. After proper notice, the City may assess the owner(s) of the facility for the cost of the repair work and any penalties.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is stormwater compliance in the City of Orem?
Stormwater compliance in Orem means following City ordinances that require the use of best management practices (BMPs) to protect water quality on all new development and redevelopment sites. These ordinances govern the selection, design, installation, operation, and maintenance of long-term post-construction BMPs. Orem also encourages the use of a Low Impact Development (LID) approach and green infrastructure as preferred methods for managing stormwater where feasible.
For development and redevelopment projects, developers are required to document which green infrastructure and LID practices were considered and explain the reasons for choosing the practices selected, or the reasons those approaches were not practicable for a given site. This documentation requirement applies to all projects subject to the ordinance.
Who is responsible for long-term stormwater maintenance in Orem?
Property owners are responsible for the annual inspection and maintenance of long-term stormwater management structures on their property. City ordinances include provisions for maintenance agreements that establish this obligation and allow the City to hold property owners accountable for keeping BMPs in good working order.
Orem relies on technical standards from Salt Lake County’s BMP manuals for guidance on what constitutes proper BMP performance and maintenance. BMPs are expected to address removal of phosphorus, total suspended solids, and other target pollutants. City staff evaluate proposed BMPs during the development review process to verify that the selected practices will address the required pollutant removal goals. AQUALIS can manage your annual inspection and maintenance obligations on your behalf.
How do I know if my Orem stormwater system is at risk of failure or safety violation?
Watch for these warning signs.
Your BMP has not been inspected or maintained annually. Orem’s ordinance requires annual inspection and maintenance of long-term stormwater management structures. If your BMP has not been serviced within the past year, you are likely out of compliance with your maintenance agreement.
Your BMP is not achieving its intended pollutant removal function. Orem requires BMPs to address removal of phosphorus, total suspended solids, and other target pollutants. A system that is visibly degraded, clogged, or not functioning as designed is not meeting that standard.
No maintenance agreement is on file. Orem’s ordinances provide for maintenance agreements to establish and enforce property owner responsibility for BMP upkeep. If your property has long-term stormwater infrastructure and no maintenance agreement was executed, that is a documentation gap. AQUALIS can assess the condition of your stormwater facilities and help you understand what compliance obligations apply to your property.
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.
