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FAQs: Storm Drainage and Stormwater Management

Who maintains stormwater management detention/retention facilities in the county?

Does a stormwater detention/retention pond require a fence?

Who maintains the storm drains/storm sewers?

Are fences allowed in storm drainage easements?

Can swimming pools be drained into storm drains?


Who maintains stormwater management detention/retention facilities in the county?
Public stormwater management detention facilities within the public street right-of-way are maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (703-383-8368, TTY 711).

Public stormwater management facilities outside the right-of-way in county storm drainage easements are maintained by the Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division. Many of these facilities are dry ponds on residential property, generally in common areas. To contact the Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division about a county stormwater management facility, please call 703-934-2800, TTY 711, or use the Stormwater Management Pond Maintenance Request Form.

Private stormwater management facilities are owned and maintained by the property owner, with inspection and oversight by the county. These facilities (wet ponds, dry ponds, underground chambers, roof tops, etc.) are generally on commercial property; however, most wet detention ponds on residential property are also privately owned and maintained. For information on private stormwater management facilities, please contact the Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division at 703-934-2860, TTY 711 or use the Stormwater Management Pond Maintenance Request Form.
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Does a stormwater detention/retention pond require a fence?
Retention and detention ponds are exempt from safety fencing requirements as they do not meet the code criteria of structures designed with the intended use of swimming pools.
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Who maintains the storm drains/storm sewers?
The storm drainage system along/under roads in the public street right-of-way is maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (703-383-8368, TTY 711). Driveway culverts and bridges are part of the driveway structure and are not public storm drainage system structures; they are the property owner's responsibility.

Storm drains in county easements are maintained by the Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division. Storm drains outside rights-of-way and easements are privately maintained by the property owner. To contact the Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division about a county storm drain or to determine responsibility for a storm drain, please call 703-934-2800, TTY 711, or use the Storm Drainage Problem Report Form.
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Are fences allowed in storm drainage easements?
Yes, as long as the fence does not interfere with the flow of drainage or redirect it to a neighboring property. In addition, permanent structures such as footings, brick piers or columns are not allowed in storm drainage easements. For further information about fences in easements, please call the Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division at 703-934-2800, TTY 711 or use the Storm Drainage Problem Report Form. For information about zoning requirements for fences, please call the Zoning Permit Review Branch at 703-222-1082, TTY 711.
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Can swimming pools be drained into storm drains?
Please see frequently asked questions about swimming pools.
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