Environmental Rules in Norman, OK

If you live in Norman or are thinking about moving there, environmental rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Norman has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of environmental rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Flood Zones

Norman's FH, Flood Hazard District overlays every mapped special flood hazard area in the city. New construction, substantial improvements, fill, grading, or storage of materials there needs a floodplain permit from the Floodplain Permit Committee before work starts.

Key details: Governing district: FH, Flood Hazard District (overlay). Permitting body: Floodplain Permit Committee, 5+ vote super-majority. Max allowed rise: 0.05 ft on adjacent property. Permit validity: Expires 2 years after approval. Penalty: $50-$750 per day, per offense.

The Planning and Community Development Department issues citations directly. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and each offense carries a penalty of not less than $50.00 nor more than $750.00, assessed against the property owner of record and anyone who assisted in the violation. The City can also pursue separate legal or equitable action to force correction, and a property owner whose land receives unauthorized fill must remove it at their own expense once the Director of Public Works makes a written demand, with the City able to complete the work and bill or lien the property if the owner fails to act.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Norman actively enforces its flood zones requirements.

Flood Elevation Requirements

Norman requires two feet of freeboard above base flood elevation. Every new residential and nonresidential structure in a mapped special flood hazard area must sit with its lowest floor, including basements, ductwork, and mechanical equipment, at least two feet above the BFE.

Key details: Freeboard required: 2 ft above base flood elevation. Minimum fill height: 1 ft above BFE, extends 15 ft. A-2 lot minimum (floodplain): 10 acres (20 in Ten Mile Flat area). Nonresidential alternative: PE-certified floodproofing. Variance body: Floodplain Permit Committee / Board of Adjustment.

Building below the required freeboard elevation without an approved variance exposes the owner to the same enforcement as any other floodplain violation under 36-533: citation by the Planning and Community Development Department, with each day the noncompliant structure stands treated as a separate offense and fines of $50.00 to $750.00 per offense. A structure lacking the required elevation certificate is presumed in violation. Anyone granted a variance to build below BFE must be given written notice that flood insurance premiums will run higher because of the added risk.

Compared to other cities, Norman takes a harder line on flood elevation requirements. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Erosion Control

Norman requires vegetative cover and erosion or sedimentation control on every subdivision drainage improvement, installed with the drainage work itself or backed by a surety through the Director of Public Works. Building permits creating more than 500 square feet of new impervious area also trigger an erosion control fee, and any earth-disturbing grading needs a separate earth change permit under NCC 30-513 and NCC 6-105.

Key details: Governing section: NCC 30-513. Cash/CD surety deadline: 6 months after City Council acceptance. Bond surety term: 4 years, renewable if incomplete. Erosion control fee trigger: 500+ sq ft new impervious area. Erosion control fee amount: $80.00 flat (NCC 6-105(h)).

Public Works withholds final inspection and acceptance of a subdivision's drainage improvements until the required vegetative cover and erosion or sedimentation control measures are complete or properly bonded under NCC 30-513. An unmet six-month cash surety is called and the City installs the measures at the developer's expense. Chapter 30 violations carry a fine under the City penalty and fine schedule, and under NCC 30-210, each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.

Stormwater Management

Any Norman facility or activity the Department of Environmental Quality regulates under the Oklahoma Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act needs a permit before discharging pollutants, including stormwater, into state waters. Violators face a state administrative fine up to $10,000.00 per day, capped at $125,000.00 per violation, and Norman's own code adds a separate local $1,000.00 fine for pretreatment and stormwater discharge violations.

Key details: Governing statute: 27A O.S. Section 2-6-205. Permit requirement: Required before discharging any pollutant. State fine cap: $10,000/day, up to $125,000 per violation. Enforcing state agency: Dept. of Environmental Quality. Local penalty: NCC 1-114: up to $1,000 or 90 days.

An unpermitted stormwater or pollutant discharge under the OPDES Act can draw a state administrative fine of up to $10,000.00 per day, capped at $125,000.00 per violation, or a civil penalty of the same daily amount if the Executive Director sues in district court for an injunction. Within Norman, the same discharge also violates NCC 1-114's stormwater and wastewater pretreatment clause, punishable by up to $1,000.00 or 90 days imprisonment, with each day of a continuing discharge a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

Norman is tougher than many cities when it comes to environmental rules. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Norman, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Norman can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.