153A-454. Stormwater control.

(a) A county may adopt and enforce a stormwater control ordinance to protect water quality and control water quantity. A county may adopt a stormwater management ordinance pursuant to this Chapter, other applicable laws, or any combination of these powers.

(b) A federal, State, or local government project shall comply with the requirements of a county stormwater control ordinance unless the federal, State, or local government agency has a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit that applies to the project. A county may take enforcement action to compel a State or local government agency to comply with a stormwater control ordinance that implements the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit issued to the county. To the extent permitted by federal law, including Chapter 26 of Title 33 of the United States Code, a county may take enforcement action to compel a federal government agency to comply with a stormwater control ordinance.

(c) A county may implement illicit discharge detection and elimination controls, construction site stormwater runoff controls, and post-construction runoff controls through an ordinance or other regulatory mechanism to the extent allowable under State law.

(d) A county that holds a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued pursuant to G.S. 143-214.7 may adopt an ordinance to establish the stormwater control program necessary for the county to comply with the permit. A county may adopt an ordinance that bans illicit discharges. A county may adopt an ordinance that requires (i) deed restrictions and protective covenants to ensure that each project, including the stormwater management system, will be maintained so as to protect water quality and control water quantity and (ii) financial arrangements to ensure that adequate funds are available for the maintenance and replacement costs of the project.