Stormwater Drainage Manual
Draft 2026 Manual for Public Comment through August 10, 2026.
Pursuant to Columbus City Code 1145.11 and 1145.81, Columbus Water & Power hereby provides notice that a draft of the Stormwater Drainage Manual regulation is available for public comment.
The Manual provides stormwater design standards for development or redevelopment of public and private property. It was last updated in 2025.
Please direct any comments to Liz Miller at 614-645-0919 or via Email: columbusSWDM@columbus.gov.
Comments will be accepted through August 10, 2026.
DRAFT 2026 Stormwater Drainage Manual(PDF, 13MB) Strike-though, redline draft
The Stormwater Drainage Manual establishes stormwater control requirements for all new public and private development and redevelopment in the City of Columbus. It requires post construction stormwater controls for both water quality and water quantity. For questions, please contact DPU Private Development@columbus.gov.
The 2025 Manual shall be used for designs submitted after August 26, 2025.
Submit a suggestion for changes to the Manual you would like us to consider.
Note: SCP = Stormwater Control Practice.
- Past Stormwater Drainage Manuals:
NPDES & Related Documents
NPDES Permit(PDF, 901KB)
A dedicated stormwater program webpage is in development and will include the City's latest Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit and annual report.
During the development of the separate webpage such documents can be requested through the information request form: https://cityofcolumbusoh.nextrequest.com/requests/new
Stormwater Variance Requests
Three types of variances from the Stormwater Drainage Manual are possible. Learn about the application process, join a list to receive notice when requests are submitted, or view the list of submitted requests. NOTE: An updated SWDM Guidance Document is forthcoming. Please contact Greg Fedner at 614-645-8072 or by email at gfedner@columbus.gov for questions related to this document and other SWDM variance issues.
Stormwater Variance Requests
Stream Corridor Protection Zones
The City's Stormwater Drainage Manual requires developers to establish Stream Corridor Protection Zones (SCPZ) when new development or redevelopment is proposed on property where streams are located. SCPZs consist of the stream and the riparian area along it and are protected through either deed and plat restrictions, easements or by City ownership. The purpose of the SCPZ is to allow the natural, lateral movement of open water courses, provide sufficient area for flood conveyance, protect water quality and prevent structures from being impacted by natural streambank erosion.
Stream Corridor Protection Zones