Chapter 15.94
DEFINITIONS
Sections:
15.94.010 Definitions.
Except where specifically defined herein, all words used in this chapter shall carry their customary meanings. Words used in the present tense include the future, and the plural includes the singular; the word “shall” is always mandatory, whereas the word “may” denotes a use of discretion in making a decision.
All references in this chapter to any federal, state, or local law or regulation is to that law or regulation as it exists now or as amended.
The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings:
“City” means the city of Longview.
“Construction stormwater general permit” means the permit that authorizes the discharge of stormwater from construction sites that disturb one acre or more of land, and from smaller sites that are part of a larger, common plan of development.
“Developed parcel” means a parcel of real property which has been altered by grading or filling of the ground surface, or by construction of any improvement or other impervious surface area which affects the hydraulic properties of the parcel.
“Developer” means any person who has development control over property on which development is proposed to occur or is occurring.
“Director” means the city of Longview public works director or designee.
“Easement” means a grant of one or more property rights or privileges by a property owner to and/or for use of the property by the city for utility purposes. Easements may be temporary or perpetual.
“Engineer” means the city of Longview city engineer or designee.
“Equivalent residential unit (ERU)” shall mean the measure of impervious square feet to be used by the utility in assessing stormwater utility fees against each parcel of property.
“Fee schedule” means that schedule of rates, fees, and charges established by resolution of the city council.
“Finance department” means the city department charged with the financial management of the city.
“Financial policies” means those policies and procedures adopted by the city’s finance department for the financial administration of the utility.
“Impervious surface” means a hard-surfaced area which either prevents or retards the entry of water into the soil mantle as under natural conditions prior to the development, and/or a hard-surfaced area which causes water to run off the surface in greater quantities or at an increased rate of flow from the flow present under natural conditions prior to development. Common impervious surfaces include, but are not limited to, roof tops, walkways, patios, driveways, parking lots or storage areas, concrete or asphalt paving, gravel roads, gravel parking lots, packed earthen materials, and oiled, macadam or other surfaces which similarly impede the natural infiltration of stormwater. Open, uncovered retention/detention facilities shall not be considered as impervious surfaces.
“Latecomer agreement” means a written agreement between the city and one or more developers providing for partial reimbursement of the cost of construction of wastewater system improvements as authorized by Chapter 14.18 LMC.
“LMC” means the city of Longview Municipal Code, as it currently exists and as amended from time to time.
“Local improvement district” means a type of district established by ordinance pursuant to Chapter 14.08 LMC for the purpose of assisting property owners within a defined geographical area in financing capital improvements by the levying of a special assessment.
“Major fraction thereof” means any amount greater than one-half.
“Mixed-use occupancy” means a developed parcel that is used for residential purposes and nonresidential purposes, and is occupied by more than one person, firm, or corporation.
“Multiple-occupancy nonresidential” means a developed parcel that is not used for residential purposes, and is occupied by more than one person, firm, or corporation.
“Multiple-occupancy residential” means a multiple-family dwelling which is a fourplex or larger, an apartment building, a mobile home park, or a trailer park.
“Nonresidential” means any developed parcel of real property in the city other than single-family parcels and multiple-family parcels.
NPDES. The abbreviated term “NPDES” as used in this chapter means National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
“Parcel” means the smallest separately segregated unit or plot of land having an identified owner, boundaries, and surface area which is documented for tax purposes and given a tax account (lot) number by the Cowlitz County assessor.
“Person” means any natural person, firm, association, joint venture, joint stock company, partnership, organization, club, company, private or public corporation, business trust, political subdivision of the state of Washington or the United States, or any instrumentality thereof.
“Property owner” means any individual, company, partnership, joint venture, corporation, association, society, or group that owns or has a contractual interest in the subject property or has been authorized by the owner to act on his/her behalf, including but not limited to an agent, contractor, applicant, or developer.
“RCW” means the Revised Code of Washington, as it currently exists and as amended from time to time.
“Record drawing” means a final record drawing of the actual installation of the structures, materials and equipment as defined in the Engineering Special Provisions and Standard Drawings.
“Redevelopment” means a site that is already substantially developed which is modified as defined by LMC Title 19.
“Residential” means a single-family residential dwelling, or single-family residential dwelling unit within a duplex, triplex, or condominium building.
“Sole occupancy nonresidential” means a developed parcel that is not used for residential purposes, and is occupied by only one person, firm, or corporation.
“Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (SWMMWW)” means Washington State Department of Ecology’s guidance on the measures necessary to control the quantity and quality of stormwater in western Washington.
“Stormwater master plan” means that plan adopted by city council pursuant to LMC 15.90.050.
“Undeveloped parcel” means a parcel of real property which has not been altered by grading or filling of the ground surface, or by construction of any improvement or other placement of any impervious surface area thereon which affects the hydraulic properties of the parcel.
“Utility” means the stormwater utility of the city of Longview.
“Utility service area” or “service area” means that geographic area defined by the city limits, which may be expanded through subsequent interlocal agreements, annexations, and special utility district assumptions. (Ord. 3540 § 1, 2024; Ord. 3533 § 1, 2024).