Last Updated 08/20/2026
Excerpt from Thomasville Code of Ordinance
Chapter 87- Phase II Stormwater Post-Construction
Sec. 87-4 Purpose
A) General. The purpose of this chapter is to protect, maintain and enhance the public health, safety, environment and general welfare by establishing minimum requirements and procedures to control the adverse effects of increased post-development stormwater runoff and nonpoint and point source pollution associated with new development. It has been determined that proper management of construction-related and post-development stormwater runoff will minimize damage to public and private property and infrastructure; safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare; and protect water and aquatic resources.
Sec. 87-7. – Stormwater best management practices (BMPs) design manual.
(a) Reference to stormwater BMP design manual. The stormwater administrator shall use the policy, criteria, and information, including technical specifications and standards, in the stormwater BMP design manual as the basis for decisions about stormwater permits and about the design, implementation and performance of structural and nonstructural stormwater best management practices (BMPs).
The stormwater BMP design manual includes a list of acceptable stormwater treatment practices, including specific design criteria for each stormwater practice. Stormwater treatment practices that are designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with these design and sizing criteria will be presumed to meet the minimum water quality performance standards of the Phase II laws.
(b) Relationship of stormwater BMP design manual to other laws and regulations. If the specifications or guidelines of the stormwater BMP design manual are more restrictive or apply a higher standard than other laws or regulations, that fact shall not prevent application of the specifications or guidelines in the stormwater BMP design manual.
(c) Changes to standards and specifications. If the standards, specifications, guidelines, policies, criteria, or other information in the stormwater BMP design manual are amended subsequent to the submittal of an application for approval pursuant to this chapter but prior to approval, the new information shall control and shall be utilized in reviewing the application and in implementing this chapter with regard to the application.
Sec. 87-18. – Development standards for high-density projects.
High-density projects shall implement stormwater control measures that comply with each of the following standards:
(a) The measures shall control and treat runoff from the first inch of rain. Runoff volume drawdown time shall be a minimum of 48 hours, but not more than 120 hours.
(b) All structural stormwater treatment systems used to meet these requirements shall be designed to have a minimum of 85 percent average annual removal for total suspended solids (TSS);
(c) Stormwater shall not leave the project site at a rate greater than the predevelopment discharge rate for the ten-year, 24-hour storm;
Sec. 87-22. – General standards for maintenance.
(a) Function of BMPs as intended. The owner of each structural BMP installed pursuant to this chapter shall maintain and operate it so as to preserve and continue its function in controlling stormwater quality and quantity at the degree or amount of function for which the structural BMP was designed.
(b) Annual maintenance inspection and report. The person responsible for maintenance of any structural BMP installed pursuant to this chapter shall submit to the stormwater administrator an inspection report from one of the following persons performing services only in their area of competence: a qualified registered North Carolina professional engineer, surveyor, landscape architect, soil scientist, aquatic biologist, or person certified by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service for stormwater treatment practice inspection and maintenance. The inspection report shall contain all of the following:
(1) The name and address of the land owner;
(2) The recorded book and page number of the lot of each structural BMP;
(3) A statement that an inspection was made of all structural BMPs;
(4) The date the inspection was made;
(5) A statement that all inspected structural BMPs are performing properly and are in compliance with the terms and conditions of the approved maintenance agreement required by this chapter; and
(6) The original signature and seal of the engineer, surveyor, or landscape architect.
All inspection reports shall be on forms supplied by the stormwater administrator. An original inspection report shall be provided to the stormwater administrator beginning one year from the date of as-built certification and each year thereafter on or before the date of the as-built certification.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is post-construction stormwater management, and does it apply to my property in Thomasville?
Post-construction stormwater management covers the ongoing responsibility to maintain structural BMPs on your property so they preserve and continue their function in controlling stormwater quality and quantity. If your Thomasville property was developed as a high-density project with structural stormwater measures on site, keeping those systems performing to their design standards is a continuing obligation, not a one-time construction requirement. AQUALIS provides full post-construction stormwater management for property owners across Thomasville, so BMPs stay compliant well after a project is finished.
What performance standards does my stormwater BMP need to meet in Thomasville?
For high-density development, Thomasville requires stormwater measures that control runoff from the first inch of rain, provide a drawdown time between 48 and 120 hours, achieve a minimum 85 percent average annual removal of total suspended solids, and limit discharge rates to predevelopment levels for a 10-year, 24-hour storm. These standards apply not just when the BMP was built, but for as long as it remains on the property. AQUALIS manages ongoing BMP performance for Thomasville property owners, so systems continue operating within these required parameters.
How often does Thomasville require stormwater BMP inspections, and who can perform them?
Thomasville requires an annual inspection report, due within one year of the BMP’s as-built certification and every year after that, prepared by a qualified professional such as a registered engineer, surveyor, landscape architect, soil scientist, aquatic biologist, or an inspector certified through NC Cooperative Extension. Property owners cannot self-certify these reports. AQUALIS coordinates these annual qualified inspections for Thomasville property owners and manages the reporting schedule so nothing is missed.
What information does a Thomasville stormwater inspection report need to include?
A compliant annual report for a Thomasville property must include the property owner’s name and address, the BMP’s location details as recorded in the county book and page, the date the inspection was confirmed, a statement of compliance, and the inspecting professional’s seal or signature. Missing any of these elements can result in a report being rejected or a property flagged for follow-up. AQUALIS prepares these complete, properly formatted annual reports for Thomasville property owners, so submissions meet every requirement the city expects.
Who is responsible for BMP maintenance if I bought a Thomasville property with an existing stormwater system?
Maintenance responsibility for a Thomasville property’s structural BMP transfers to whoever owns the property, along with the ongoing annual inspection reporting requirement, regardless of who was involved in the system’s original design or installation. New owners are often unaware of this obligation until the next annual report comes due. AQUALIS reviews the maintenance and inspection history for newly acquired Thomasville properties and takes over the ongoing responsibility from there.
Where can property owners in Thomasville get help with post-construction stormwater compliance?
Post-construction stormwater compliance in Thomasville involves meeting specific BMP performance standards, submitting detailed annual inspection reports from a qualified professional, and maintaining systems in line with the city’s Design Manual. Managing all of this without dedicated stormwater staff is difficult for most property owners. AQUALIS offers complete post-construction stormwater management for Thomasville property owners, covering maintenance, annual inspection coordination, 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.
