Frequently Asked Questions

Why did I receive a Source Control Business Inspection notice from City of Bothell?

You received the notice because your business is located within Bothell’s city limits and has the potential to discharge pollutants to City of Bothell receiving waters. Because of this, your business requires an inspection by City of Bothell staff or its contracted consultant to determine whether source control best management practices (BMPs) are being followed to prevent pollutants from entering City of Bothell stormwater, surface water, and groundwater.

The inspection is a requirement of the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit. This permit, administered by the Washington Department of Ecology, requires local governments to manage and control stormwater runoff so that it does not pollute downstream waters.

How do I schedule the inspection?

Contact Oscar Lopez, City of Bothell Surface Water Program Coordinator, at oscar.lopez@bothellwa.gov or 425-806-6791 to schedule the inspection.

What do I do if I need to reschedule the inspection?

What days and hours do you conduct inspections?

We conduct inspections Monday through Friday from 8 am – 4 pm (PDT).

Do I have to pay for the inspection?

No. You do not have to pay for the inspection itself. However, if you are required to implement best management practices (BMPs) as a result of not passing the inspection, you will be financially responsible for doing so.

How long will the inspection take?

Inspections typically take less than one hour to complete.

What does the inspection involve?

Inspections involve walking the exterior of your business, reviewing your spill plan and spill kit with you, and observing how your business stores materials to check for any deficiencies.

Do I need to be present for the inspection?

Yes. You will need to be present for your inspection.

How should I prepare for the inspection?

Prior to your inspection, please review the information in the following links for a list of BMPs for your specific business.

Commercial BMPs: https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/water-and-land/stormwater/documents/pollution-prevention-manual/commercial-bmp.aspx

Residential BMPs: https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/water-and-land/stormwater/documents/pollution-prevention-manual/residential-bmp.aspx

Will you need to go inside my business, or is the inspection outside only?

The focus of the inspection is on the exterior of your business. However, reviewing your spill plan and spill kit as well as looking at materials storage may require going inside your business. Typically, you should be prepared to show both the interior and exterior of your business.

How often does my business need to be inspected?

You can expect your business to be inspected every five years, although businesses with a greater risk of impacting stormwater may require more frequent inspection. Inspection frequency could change depending on requirements of the next NPDES five-year permit cycle.

What part of the Bothell Municipal Code requires that my business be inspected?

Bothell Municipal Code Chapter 18.04 – Storm Water and Drainage Control lists authority for stormwater inspections, and Chapter 11.20 – Enforcement establishes procedures to enforce violations of Bothell Municipal Codes, including violations listed in Chapter 18.

How will I be notified whether my business does or does not pass inspection?

We will either email you a report or send it by mail to your business address. In most cases, your inspector will be able to notify you whether your business has passed or failed at the end of your inspection. Formal documentation will follow.

What happens if my business does not pass inspection?

If your business does not pass the inspection, you will receive an Order to Maintain that will highlight what is required for your business to pass inspection.

How long do I have to correct the problem(s) if my business does not pass the inspection?

You will have 30 days to correct any issues included in your Order to Maintain. Your business will require a reinspection after work has been completed. In some cases, we may grant you an extension that requires you to develop a timeline with your inspector detailing when the work will be completed.

Will you need to reinspect my business after I correct the problem(s)?

Yes. We will require a reinspection to verify that the issues have been corrected.

What is the penalty if my business does not pass inspection and we do not take action to fix the problem(s)?

If your business does not pass inspection and you do not take action to fix the problem(s), we will forward your case to a City of Bothell code compliance officer and your business will be subject to fines until any corrections highlighted in your Order to Maintain are completed.

Why does my business need to have a Spill Response Plan and a spill response kit on site?

All businesses that use any type of chemicals should be prepared with a spill response plan and have a spill response kit on site to protect human and environmental health. When used properly, a spill response kit can clean up smaller spills or contain larger spills, giving adequate time for a vendor to be contacted to clean up the spill. If you aren’t sure how to use the materials in your spill kit, watch a short video from Seattle Public Utilities to become familiar with your spill kit supplies.

City of Bothell staff are here to assist you in creating both a Spill Response Plan and a spill kit. After creating an appropriate Spill Response Plan, you may be eligible to receive a free spill kit. If you have questions or need help creating your Spill Response Plan or your spill kit, contact Oscar Lopez at 425-806-6791 or oscar.lopez@bothellwa.gov.

How do I get a spill kit?

If your business is in Bothell's city limits, you can fill out this form to request a free spill kit. We will review your request and contact you within 30 days to schedule delivery of your spill kit.

Where can I find Source Control BMPs that are required for my specific business?

City of Bothell has adopted the same BMP requirements as King County. Click the following links for a list of BMPs for your specific business.