Storm Water Ordinances

City of Corpus Christi Ordinances make sure that residents and businesses protect water quality of storm water runoff entering the waterways.

The Storm Water - Pollution Prevention Team is staffed with code enforcement officers who respond to every storm water pollution complaint. To report a violation, call the Customer Call Center at 311. 

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS - CODE OF ORDINANCES
Chapter 55 - UTILITIES ARTICLE XVI - Prohibition of Pollution of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

The fine for violation of the following ordinances is up to $2,000 per violation per day.

Sec. 55-201 - General Provisions. This section identifies that the objectives of the article are to prevent introduction of pollutants into the MS4 and waterways, to protect the general public, and to enable the City to comply with federal and state laws.

Sec. 55-203 - Prohibited discharges into the MS4. This section prohibits any intentional discharge into the storm sewer system of:

• Grass clippings and leaf litter
• Animal waste
• Chlorinated pool water
• Wastewater
• Cooling water
• Pesticide or Fertilizer
• Any substance prohibited from being discharged into waters of the United States or State of Texas
• Solid wastes (animal carcass, animal parts, animal waste, grease, ashes, dirt, garbage, brush, household hazardous waste, medical waste, motor vehicle fluids, etc.).
   

Sec. 55-204 - Removal of improper discharges from and repair of damage to MS4. This section places responsibility of repairing damage done to MS4 on the responsible party. This includes compensating the City for any expenses caused by illegal discharges.

Sec. 55-205 - Prohibited connections with MS4. Prohibits any drain from connecting to the MS4 without a permit. This includes, but is not limited to, drains connecting from down spouts and sump pumps, wastewater drains, and French Drains.

Sec. 55-206. Annual report, NPDES compliance monitoring, inspection, and sampling. This section has reporting and other requirements for facilities and businesses that have permits through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES). It also allows city personnel to inspect facilities for illegal discharges and prohibited connection to the MS4.

While the Municipal Ordinances above are specifically written to address pollution of the municipal separate storm sewer system, there are ordinances that help protect storm water quality in other Articles and Sections of the City of Corpus Christi Municipal Code of Ordinances. Generally, these Codes are enforced by other departments within the City, and include, but are not limited to the following:

• Chapter 6, Article VI. Care and Keeping of Animals. Sec 6-158 – Animal Waste.
   
• Chapter 14, Article VIII. Control of Aeolian Soils.
   
• Chapter 14, Article IX, Control of Solid Waste at Construction Sites.
   
• Chapter 14, Article X, Storm Water Quality Management Plans.
   
• Chapter 21, Garbage, Trash and Other Refuse.
   
• Chapter 22, Litter.
   
• Chapter 44, Pollution Control.
   

To report violations of any code, please call the Customer Call Center at 311.