Stormwater Drainage Manual
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 2026 Manual shall be used for designs submitted after September 8, 2026.
Stormwater Drainage Manual Cover(PDF, 3MB)
Stormwater Drainage Manual Sections(PDF, 3MB)
Appendices:
Appendix A(PDF, 387KB) - Ditch Computation and Storm Sewer Check Sheets
Appendix B(PDF, 1MB) - Native Plant Species for Stormwater Quality Best Management Practices
Appendix C(PDF, 756KB) - General Notes, Signature Block, and Plan Review Checklist for CC Drawings
Appendix D(PDF, 415KB) - Bid Items for Stormwater Control Practices
Appendix E(PDF, 202KB) - Type A Variance Application Form
Appendix F(PDF, 169KB) - Type I Variance Application Form
Appendix G(PDF, 243KB) - Type II Variance Application Form
Appendix H(PDF, 172KB) - Type III Variance Application Form
Related Regulations, Guidance, and Templates
Note: SCP = Stormwater Control Practice.
SCP As Built Certification(DOCX, 24KB)
SCP Construction Bond(DOCX, 15KB)
SCP Easement(PDF, 77KB) For reference only. All easements must be prepared and recorded by the City.
SCP Inspection and Maintenance Guidance Manual(PDF, 3MB) (IMGM)
SCP Inspection and Maintenance Agreement(PDF, 3MB) (Fillable Form)
Stormwater Credit Rule(PDF, 107KB)
Stormwater Credit Guidance(PDF, 566KB) document which includes the application form.
Past Stormwater Drainage Manuals:
Designs that fall within the legacy timeframes in the current adopted regulation may refer to the associated version of the Stormwater Drainage Manual. A request for a past version of the Stormwater Drainage Manual can be made by emailing ColumbusSWDM@columbus.gov with the subject line including “Legacy Clause Project Request for [Provide Year] Stormwater Drainage Manual. Draft redline from the recent public commenting period may also be requested for reference purposes only.
Submit a suggestion for changes to the Manual you would like us to consider.
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