Last Updated 07/23/2026
The Town of West Hartford has enacted a Stormwater Ordinance in order to establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health, safety, and welfare of the public residing in watersheds within this jurisdiction. The Town of West Hartford is the permitting authority for all land disturbing activities and requires the land owner to maintain all on-site stormwater control facilities and all open space areas (e.g. parks or “green” areas) required by the approved stormwater control plan. The Town of West Hartford will only provide construction permits to projects that establish a plan to manage stormwater runoff occurring during the construction process. The Town of West Hartford, under the NPDES program, also has the authority to inspect properties for noncompliance and can issue a notice of violation (NOV) for any deficiency or infraction onsite. Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of any stormwater facilities or practices located on the property. The Town of West Hartford has the authority to inspect stormwater facilities and practices in order to ascertain that they are properly maintained and functioning.
West Hartford Municipal Code – Chapter 177. ZONING
Article VIII. Soil Erosion, Sediment Control and Stormwater Runoff
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§ 177-61. Activities requiring certified plan.
A soil erosion and sediment control plan shall be submitted with any application for development when the disturbed area of such development is cumulatively more than 1/2 acre.
§ 177-62. Exemptions.
A single-family dwelling that is not a part of a subdivision of land shall be exempt from these soil erosion and sediment control regulations. Such exemption shall not affect the applicability of§ 177-29.
§ 177-63. Erosion and sediment control plan.
A. To be eligible for certification, a soil erosion and sediment control plan shall contain proper provisions to adequately control accelerated erosion and sedimentation and reduce the danger from stormwater runoff on and from the proposed site based on the best available technology. Such principles, methods and practices necessary for certification are found in the Connecticut Guidelines for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control (1985), as amended. Alternative principles, methods and practices may be used with prior approval of the Director of Community Services. Such plans shall be certified by a qualified professional engineer, who shall affix his or her seal thereto.
B. Said plan shall contain but not be limited to:
(1) A narrative describing:
a. The development.
b. The schedule for grading and construction activities, including:
[1] Start and completion dates.
[2] Sequence of grading and construction activities.
[3] Sequence for installation and/or application of soil erosion and sediment control measures.
[4] Sequence for final stabilization of the project site.
c. The design criteria for proposed soil erosion and sediment control measures and stormwater management facilities.
d. The construction details for proposed soil erosion and sediment control measures and stormwater management facilities.
e. The installation and/or application procedures for proposed soil erosion and sediment control measures and stormwater management facilities.
f. The operations and maintenance program for proposed soil erosion and sediment control measures and stormwater management facilities, including, without limitation, a statement of the obligation to deal with unforeseen erosion, sedimentation and stormwater contingencies and problems as they arise.
(2) A site plan map at a sufficient scale to show:
a. The location of the proposed development and adjacent and downstream properties.
b. The existing and proposed topography, including soil types, wetlands, watercourses and water bodies.
c. The existing structures on the project site, if any.
d. The proposed area alterations, including cleared, excavated, filled or graded areas, and proposed structures, utilities, roads and, if applicable, new property lines.
e. The location of and design details for all proposed soil erosion and sediment control measures and stormwater management facilities.
f. The sequence of grading and construction activities.
g. The sequence for installation and/or application of soil erosion and sediment control measures.
h. The sequence for final stabilization of the development site.
(3) Any other information deemed necessary and appropriate by the applicant or requested by the Director of Community Services.
§ 177-64. Minimum acceptable standards.
A. Plans for soil erosion and sediment control shall be developed in accordance with these regulations using the principles as outlined in Chapters 3 and 4 of the Connecticut Guidelines for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control (1985), as amended. Soil erosion and sediment control plans shall result in a development that minimizes erosion and sedimentation during construction, is stabilized and protected from erosion when completed and does not cause off-site erosion and/or sedimentation.
B. The minimum standards for individual measures are those in the Connecticut Guidelines for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control (1985), as amended. The Director of Community Services may grant exceptions when requested by the applicant if technically sound reasons are presented.
C. The appropriate method from Chapter 9 of the Connecticut Guidelines for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control (1985), as amended, shall be used in determining peak flow rates and volumes of runoff, unless an alternative method is approved by the Director of Community Services.
§ 177-65. Issuance or denial of certification.
A. The Director of Community Services shall either certify that the soil erosion and sediment control plan, as filed or with modifications, complies with the requirements and objectives of this regulation or deny certification when the development proposal does not comply with these regulations.
B. Nothing in this § 177-65 of this article shall be construed as changing the time limits for action on any application under the pertinent provisions of the Charter and ordinances of the Town of West Hartford.
C. Prior to certification, any plan submitted to the municipality may be reviewed by the County Soil and Water Conservation District, which may make recommendations concerning such plan, provided that such review shall be completed within 30 days of the receipt of such plan.
D. The Director of Community Services shall forward a copy of the development proposal to the Town Plan and Zoning Commission and the Conservation and Environment Commission for review and comment.
E. The Director of Community Services may forward a copy of the development proposal to any other review agency or consultant for review and comment.
§ 177-66. Plan regulations.
A. The estimated costs of measures required to control soil erosion sedimentation and stormwater runoff, as specified in the certified plan, may be covered in a performance bond or other assurance in an amount and with surety and conditions satisfactory to the Director of Community Services, including, without limitation, a maintenance bond. The developer shall submit to the Director of Community Services for approval a cost estimate for said required soil erosion, sedimentation and stormwater runoff control measures to be covered by said bond or other assurance. Said estimate shall be prepared and certified by a qualified professional civil engineer. The cost estimate shall be based on unit costs established by the Director of Community Services.
B. Site development shall not begin unless the soil erosion and sediment control plan is certified and those control measures and facilities in the plan scheduled for installation prior to site development are installed and functional.
C. Planned soil erosion, sediment control and stormwater runoff control measures and facilities shall be installed as scheduled according to the certified plan.
D. All control measures and facilities shall be maintained in effective condition to ensure the compliance of the certified plan.
E. Any person engaged in development activities who fails to file a soil erosion and sediment control plan in accordance with these regulations or who conducts a development activity except in accordance with provisions of a plan certified pursuant thereto shall be deemed in violation of this chapter of the Code of the Town of West Hartford.
§ 177-67. Inspections.
Inspections shall be made by the Director of Community Services or designated agent during development to ensure compliance with the certified plan and that control measures and facilities are properly performed or installed and maintained. The Director of Community Services may require the permittee to verify, through progress reports, that soil erosion, sediment control and stormwater runoff control measures and facilities have been performed or installed according to the certified plan and are being operated and maintained.
CT DEEP GENERAL PERMIT FOR THE DISCHARGE OF STORMWATER ASSOCIATED WITH COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY
- Issuance Date: May 1, 2014
- Expiration Date: April 30, 2017
V. PERMIT CONDITIONS
A. CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN DISCHARGES
Any person who or municipality which initiates, creates, or originates a discharge of stormwater associated with commercial activity after September 27, 2000, which discharge is located less than 100 feet from a tidal wetland which is not a fresh-tidal wetland, shall discharge such stormwater through a system designed to store the volume of stormwater runoff generated by 1 inch of rainfall on the site.
Any person who or municipality which discharges stormwater into coastal tidal waters for which a permit is required under either the Structures and Dredging Act in accordance with Section 22a-361 of the Connecticut General Statutes or the Tidal Wetlands Act in accordance with Section 22a-32 of the Connecticut General Statutes, shall obtain such permit(s) from the Commissioner.
B. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
The permittee shall prepare, implement and maintain a Stormwater Management Plan (the “Plan”) which shall consist of all records, schedules, narrative, instructions or other materials kept on file at the registrant’s facility in accordance with the Stormwater Management Measures and other provisions of Part V of this general permit.
2. Stormwater Management Measures
The Stormwater Management Plan shall be maintained on a form prescribed and provided by the Commissioner and shall, at a minimum, contain the following:
Maintenance and Inspection
The permittee shall prepare and implement a facility maintenance plan. The facility maintenance plan shall include good housekeeping measures to ensure that all areas exposed to stormwater are kept in such a condition as to minimize the possibility of discharging pollutants into a stormwater collection system or waters of the state. The plan shall include provisions for a monthly inspection by a member of the Pollution Prevention Team of all areas covered by the plan, a weekly inspection of the site for surface debris and the monthly inspection of all stormwater structures and outfalls on the site for floating or surface debris and sediment. Structures and outfalls shall be cleaned of sediment and debris at least once a year during the month of April and at other time as necessary to prevent the discharge of pollutants from structures or outfalls.
Comprehensive Annual Stormwater Evaluation and Inspection
Once a year, a member of the Pollution Prevention Team shall conduct a Comprehensive Annual Stormwater Evaluation and Inspection. All aspects of the stormwater collection and/or treatment system shall be inspected for consistency with the Stormwater Management Plan. A report of the results of this inspection shall be prepared and a copy maintained on site. This report shall also be reviewed and signed by the permittee as specified in Part IV.C.2.c. [see document]. Based on this report, the permittee shall revise the Plan as necessary to maintain consistency with this general permit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What size project needs a certified soil erosion and sediment control plan in West Hartford?
Any development with a cumulative disturbed area of more than one-half acre. A single-family dwelling that isn’t part of a subdivision is exempt from these specific regulations, though that exemption doesn’t affect separate provisions under Section 177-29.
Who has to certify a soil erosion and sediment control plan in West Hartford?
A qualified professional engineer, who has to affix their seal to the plan before it’s eligible for certification. The plan then goes to the Director of Community Services, who either certifies it as filed or with modifications, or denies certification if the proposal doesn’t comply with the regulations.
Can I start construction in West Hartford before my erosion control plan is certified?
No. Site development can’t begin until the plan is certified and any control measures scheduled for installation before development starts are actually installed and functional. Once certified, every planned measure has to go in on the schedule the plan lays out.
Do I need a bond for erosion and stormwater controls in West Hartford?
It’s an option the town can require. The estimated cost of required soil erosion, sedimentation, and stormwater runoff controls can be covered by a performance bond or other assurance, including a maintenance bond, based on a cost estimate a qualified professional civil engineer prepares and certifies.
Does West Hartford's Conservation and Environment Commission weigh in on my development proposal?
Yes. The Director of Community Services forwards a copy of every development proposal to both the Town Plan and Zoning Commission and the Conservation and Environment Commission for review and comment, and can also send it to other review agencies or consultants if needed.
How does West Hartford confirm my erosion controls are actually working during construction?
Through direct inspection by the Director of Community Services or a designated agent, plus progress reports the Director can require from the permittee. Those reports have to verify that control measures and facilities were installed according to the certified plan and are being properly operated and maintained.
What happens if I skip the soil erosion and sediment control plan requirement in West Hartford?
It’s a straightforward violation of the town code. Anyone conducting development activity without filing a required plan, or who doesn’t follow the provisions of a plan once certified, is deemed in violation of Chapter 177.
Does my commercial property need to follow Connecticut's Commercial Activity General Permit in West Hartford too?
If your facility meets the state’s five-acre impervious surface threshold, yes, on top of the town’s own erosion control requirements. That permit requires a facility maintenance plan with monthly inspections of the site, weekly surface debris checks, and a full Comprehensive Annual Stormwater Evaluation and Inspection each year.
How can AQUALIS help my property navigate West Hartford's stormwater and erosion control requirements?
AQUALIS helps West Hartford property owners prepare the certified soil erosion and sediment control plans the town requires above the half-acre threshold, coordinate the bonding and multi-commission review process, and implement the maintenance and inspection schedule required under Connecticut’s Commercial Activity General Permit if it applies to the 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.
