How Carrollton Handles Environmental Rules: A Practical Guide
Carrollton maintains 136 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with environmental rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Carrollton falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Stormwater Management
Carrollton bans any discharge into the municipal storm sewer system (MS4) that is not composed entirely of stormwater under City Code § 173.03(A). A separate clause bars any "harmful quantity" of any substance from reaching the MS4, and only seventeen narrow categories, like uncontaminated groundwater or emergency firefighting flows, count as an affirmative defense.
Key details: Governing chapter: Code of Ordinances Ch. 173, adopted 2009. Core rule: No non-stormwater discharge to MS4. Enforcing official: Designated City Official (City Manager designee). Criminal penalty: Misdemeanor under § 10.99. Civil penalty: Max civil penalty allowed, per day.
Violating Chapter 173 is a misdemeanor punishable under § 10.99 for each act and for every day the violation continues (§ 173.28(A)). The city may separately pursue civil penalties "to the maximum civil penalty allowed by law, per violation, per day" plus attorneys' fees, court costs, and cleanup expenses (§ 173.27), and can recover an administrative fee equal to half the assessed cleanup cost. Remedies are cumulative and non-exclusive (§ 173.29).
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Carrollton actively enforces its stormwater management requirements.
Erosion Control
Every construction site in Carrollton, regardless of size, must use best management practices to control sediment and soil discharge "to the maximum extent practicable" under City Code § 173.07(A). Sites disturbing one acre or more must also file a TPDES-permit Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) under § 173.08.
Key details: SWPPP trigger: 1+ acre land disturbance. Routine inspection interval: Every 14 calendar days. Post-storm inspection: Within 24 hrs of 0.5" rain event. Large-site notice deadline: CSN filed 7 days pre-construction. Small-site notice deadline: CSN filed 2 days pre-construction.
The DCO can issue a stop work order under § 173.23 for any violation of §§ 173.07-173.08, barring further construction activity and any city inspection or permit approval until lifted. Violations are also misdemeanors punishable under § 10.99, with each day treated as a separate offense (§ 173.28), plus civil penalties per violation per day and recoverable attorneys' fees under § 173.27.
The Bottom Line
Carrollton's environmental rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Carrollton is broadly strict or permissive.
These rules come from Carrollton's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.