Environmental Rules in Springdale, AR: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Springdale or are thinking about moving there, environmental rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Springdale has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of environmental rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Stormwater Management

Springdale Chapter 107 (Revised September 2017) governs stormwater discharges, illicit connections, grading, and erosion control under the city's NPDES Phase II MS4 permit administered through ADEQ Construction Permit ARR 150000. Any project disturbing 0.5 acre or more requires a city grading permit and an approved Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3).

Key details: Code Reference: Chapter 107 (Rev. Sept. 2017). Permit Threshold: 0.5 acre disturbance. State NPDES: ADEQ Permit ARR 150000. Grading Fee: $250 (0.5-1 ac) / $500 (1+ ac). Riparian Buffer: 25 ft / 50 ft TMDL.

Discharging anything other than uncontaminated stormwater to the MS4, building an illicit connection, or grading 0.5 acre or more without an approved SWP3 and grading permit violates Chapter 107. Section 107.4.I sets a fine schedule of $500/day for a first offense, escalating to $4,000/day for fourth and subsequent offenses, plus stop-work orders and recovery of abatement costs.

Flood Zones

Springdale Chapter 50 (Floods), Article II Flood Damage Prevention, regulates development inside FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas shown on the Washington County FIRMs effective May 16, 2008. New construction and substantial improvements must be elevated at least two feet above the Base Flood Elevation, and a Floodplain Development Permit is required from the Engineering Department before any work begins.

Key details: Code Reference: Chapter 50, Art. II Flood Damage Prevention. FIRM Date: May 16, 2008 (Washington Co.). Freeboard: 2 ft above BFE. Key Watercourses: Spring, Brush, Clear Creeks. State Law: A.C.A. 14-268-101 et seq..

Building, filling, or substantially improving a structure in a Springdale SFHA without a Floodplain Development Permit violates Chapter 50 Article II and Chapter 107. The city can order removal or elevation; failure to enforce can cause FEMA to suspend Springdale from the NFIP, ending federally backed flood insurance for property owners citywide.

This is one of the stricter rules in Springdale's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Springdale'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 Springdale is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Springdale's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.