5.2 Dedicated Easements and Dedicated Tracts
For access and maintenance purposes components of the stormwater system may need to acquire easements or be dedicated as separate tracts.
All publicly maintained conveyance systems shall be located in dedicated tracts, dedicated easements, or public rights-of-way. Table 4 - 6: Stormwater System Easement Widths provides minimum easement width requirements based upon depth of pipe.
All pipes and channels must be centered within the easement. Easement widths may have to be adjusted for pipes greater than 5 feet in diameter and channels with top widths greater than 5 feet.
The depth or proximity of steep slopes to the public system may necessitate a larger easement requirement for future excavation and maintenance purposes.
Greater width may be required for large diameter pipe or unfavorable site conditions. Pipe shall be installed in center of easement. If two pipes are to be installed in an easement, add 10 feet to the easement widths listed above. Use the deeper of the two pipes in selecting the easement width from this table. Install pipes with 10 feet of horizontal clearance between them. | |
For easements dedicated to the City for stormwater purposes, it will not be allowable to place, plant or construct any permanent structures in, upon or under the easement area unless specifically approved in writing by the City of Tacoma’s Environmental Services Director, or designee. Permanent structure shall mean any concrete foundation, concrete slab, wall, rockery, building, deck, overhanging structure, fill material, tree, recreational sport court, carport, portable or non-portable shed, private utilities, fence, or any other improvement that restricts or unreasonably interferes with the City’s access to install, construct, operate, inspect, maintain, remove, repair, and replace the public utilities within the easement area. Permanent structures shall not mean flowers, ground cover and shrubs, (provided they are less than 3 feet in height), lawn, grass, asphalt paving, or gravel.
Preliminary project planning should account for the potential loss of buildable area or the need to purchase more property as a result of the stormwater system and their required easements/tracts.
All privately maintained conveyance systems serving multiple lots/owners shall be located in dedicated tracts, dedicated easements, or private roadways with appropriate easements. Any new conveyance system located on private property designed to convey runoff from other private properties must be located in a private stormwater system easement granted to the contributors of stormwater to said systems. The easement shall permit access for maintenance or replacement in the case of failure.
Private maintenance agreements are required for facilities owned by more than one property owner. All agreements shall be recorded with the Pierce County Assessor.
Unless prohibited by topography or existing site conditions, new conveyance system alignments, on private property, must be located in stormwater system easements that are adjacent and parallel to property lines.
The depth or proximity of a private system to slopes 20% or greater may necessitate a larger easement for future excavation and maintenance purposes. Typically this requires a 1:1 slope from the bottom of the trench.
Private easement width shall be based upon pipe diameter, depth of pipe and maintenance access. Table 4 - 6: Stormwater System Easement Widths can be used as guidance to determine appropriate easement width.
When not located in the city right of way, stormwater facilities to be maintained by the City shall be located in separate tracts dedicated to the City. Tracts and easement must also maintain appropriate setbacks as required for each BMP.
Privately owned facilities shall be located outside of dedicated public right-of-way areas. A covenant and easement agreement is required for all proposed private stormwater facilities to ensure proper maintenance and access. The covenant and easement agreement is an agreement between the City of Tacoma and the property owner. Information about covenant and easement agreements is available at www.cityoftacoma.org/stormwatermanual_templates. The document shall be recorded on title.
Additional private easements may be required if stormwater facilities are located on more than one parcel of land. Private maintenance agreements are required for facilities owned by more than one property owner. All agreements shall be recorded with the Pierce County Assessor.
A minimum 15-foot wide access easement shall be provided to stormwater system facilities from a public street or right-of-way. Access easements shall be surfaced with a minimum 12-foot width of crushed rock, or other approved surface to allow year-round equipment access to the facility.
Maintenance access must be provided for all manholes, catch basins, vaults, or other underground stormwater system facilities operated by the City. Maintenance shall be through an access easement or dedicated tract.
Privately maintained facilities must be readily accessible. Provide documentation as to how these facilities will be accessed.