§ 4-295. Definitions.

Unless specifically defined in this section, words or phrases used in this article shall be interpreted so as to give them the meaning they have in common usage, and to give this article its most reasonable application.

Blue-line stream. Any stream shown on the 7.5 minute U.S.G.S. Quad Maps.

Buffer zone. A naturally undisturbed, vegetated and pervious streamside zone that is protected from clearing, grading, filling, paving, building or other destruction of the naturally vegetated state.

Covenants by property owner for permanent maintenance of stormwater facilities. A legal document executed by the property owner and recorded with the Colbert County Courthouse guaranteeing perpetual and proper maintenance of stormwater facilities.

Detention. A practice to store stormwater runoff by collection as a temporary pool of water and provide for its gradual (attenuated) release and thereby control peak discharge rates.

Discharge. Dispose, deposit, spill, pour, inject, seep, dump, leak or place by any means, including any direct or indirect entry of any solid or liquid matter into the stormwater system by any means intentional or otherwise.

Disturbed area. Portion of any site that has been altered from existing conditions, including but not limited to the following: Providing access to a site; clearing of vegetation; grading; earth moving; providing utilities and other services such as parking facilities, stormwater management and erosion control systems, potable water and wastewater systems; altering land forms; or construction or demolition of a structure on the land.

Downstream. Downgradient from the lowest point of each subwatershed in a development.

Dwelling, mobile home. A detached residential dwelling unit designed for transportation after fabrication on streets or highways on its own wheels or on flatbed or other trailers, and arriving at the site where it is to be occupied as a dwelling complete and ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations, location on jacks or other temporary or permanent foundations, connections to utilities, and the like. A travel trailer is not to be considered as a mobile home.

Dwelling, single family. A detached residential dwelling unit other than a mobile home, designed for and occupied by one (1) family only.

Erosion. The removal of soil particles by the action of water, wind, ice or other geological agents, whether naturally occurring or acting in conjunction with or promoted by development activities or effects.

Floodplain. For a given flood event, that area of land temporarily covered by water.

Frequency storms:

(1)

Two-year frequency storm. A storm event with a fifty (50) per cent chance of being equaled or exceeded in a given year. Defined to be 3.97 inches in twenty-four (24) hours or other such magnitude the city engineer shall establish based upon scientific and engineering information.

(2)

Five-year frequency storm. A storm event with a twenty (20) per cent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. Defined to be 4.80 inches in twenty-four (24) hours or other such magnitude the city engineer shall establish based upon scientific and engineering information.

(3)

Ten-year frequency storm. A storm event with a ten (10) per cent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. Defined to be 5.53 inches in twenty-four (24) hours or other such magnitude the city engineer shall establish based upon scientific and engineering information.

(4)

Twenty-five-year frequency storm. A storm event with a four (4) per cent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. Defined to be 6.58 inches in twenty-four (24) hours or other such magnitude the city engineer shall establish based upon scientific and engineering information.

(5)

Fifty-year frequency storm. A storm event with a two (2) per cent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. Defined to be 7.44 inches in twenty-four (24) hours or other such magnitude the city engineer shall establish based upon scientific and engineering information.

(6)

One-hundred-year frequency storm. A storm event with a one (1) per cent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. Defined to be 8.34 inches in twenty-four (24) hours or other such magnitude the city engineer shall establish based upon scientific and engineering information.

Hydraulic. Pertaining to, involving, moved or operated by a fluid, especially water, under pressure or under a gravity-driving force.

Hydrologic. Pertaining to the scientific study of the properties, distribution, and effects of water on the earth's surface, in the soil and underlying rocks, and in the atmosphere.

Impervious area. Impermeable surfaces, such as pavement or rooftops, which prevent the percolation of water into the soil.

Infiltration. A practice designed to promote the recharge of groundwater by containment and concentration of stormwater in porous soils.

Major collector channel. Drain twenty (20) acres or more.

Major storm. A one-hundred-year design storm or a storm that has a probability of one (1) per cent chance in any given year.

Minor collector channel. Drains less than twenty (20) acres.

Natural resources conservation service (NRCS). An organization within the U.S. Department of Agriculture that has published standard drainage procedures in the form of Technical Release No. 55. Formerly known as the soil conservation service (SCS).

Outfall. The terminus of a stormwater system where the contents are released.

Parking area. The off-street facility including parking spaces along with adequate provision for drivers and aisles for maneuvering and giving access, and for entrance and exit, designed to be usable for the parking of vehicles.

Peak flow. The maximum instantaneous rate of flow of water at a particular point resulting from a storm event.

Peak flow attenuation. The reduction of the peak discharge of a storm.

Person. Any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, organization or entity, including governmental entities, or any combination thereof.

Retention. A practice designed to store stormwater runoff by collection as a permanent pool of water without release except by means of evaporation, infiltration, or attenuated release when runoff volume exceeds storage capacity of the permanent pool.

Rip-rap. A combination of large stone, cobbles and boulders used to line channels, stabilize stream banks, and reduce runoff velocities.

Runoff. The water resulting from precipitation that is not absorbed by the soil.

Sanitary sewer. A system of underground conduits that collect and deliver sanitary wastewater to a wastewater treatment plant.

Sanitary wastewater. Wastewater from toilets, sinks and other plumbing fixtures.

Site development. To physically alter a site. Site development includes, but is not limited to, providing access to a site, clearing of vegetation, grading, earth moving, providing utilities and other services such as parking facilities, stormwater management and erosion control systems, potable water and wastewater systems, altering land forms, or construction or demolition of a structure on the land.

Stormwater. Runoff from rain, snow or other forms of precipitation, resulting in surface runoff and drainage.

Stormwater system. The system of roadside drainage, roadside curbs and gutters, curb inlets, swales, catch basins, manholes, gutters, ditches, pipes, lakes, ponds, sinkholes, channels, creeks, streams, storm drains, and similar conveyances and facilities, both natural and manmade, located within the city which are designated or used for collecting, storing, or conveying stormwater, or through which stormwater is collected, stored or conveyed, whether owned or operated by the city or other person.

Swale. A natural or manmade depression or wide shallow ditch used to route or filter runoff.

Upstream. Upgradient of the lowest point of each subwatershed of a development.

Utility, public or private. Any agency which under public franchise or ownership, or under certification of convenience and necessity, provides the public with electricity, natural gas, steam, communication, rail transportation, water, sewage collection, or other similar service.

Vegetation. Collection of plant life, including trees, shrubs, bushes and grass.

(Ord. No. 15-0817A, 8-17-2015)