Environmental Rules in Amarillo, TX (2026)
3 verified environmental rules for Amarillo, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Amarillo's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System ordinance bans discharging any pollutant, including oily sheens, corrosive stormwater below pH 5.5, and noxious substances, into city storm drains under Code of Ordinances Sec. 18-3-94. The Director of Utilities enforces the rule with escalating notices, compliance orders, and civil penalties from $100 to $1,000 per violation per day under Sec. 18-3-101.
Amarillo Storm Sewer Discharge Prohibited; Civil Penalties
Significant RestrictionsAmarillo Code of Ordinances § 18-3-94
No User shall contribute or cause to be contributed, directly or indirectly, any Pollutant into the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System except as provided in 40 CFR 122.26(2)(iv)(B)(1). A User commits an offense under this Chapter if the user introduces or causes to be introduced any of the following substances to Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System:(1)Pollutants which create a fire or expl...
Erosion Control
Amarillo requires all construction sites to implement erosion and sediment controls to prevent soil and contaminants from entering the city's stormwater system. Sites disturbing one or more acres must obtain a state TPDES Construction General Permit and submit a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.
Construction Sites Must Prevent Stormwater Erosion and Sediment Runoff
Light RestrictionsTCEQ Construction General Permit TXR150000 (effective Mar. 5, 2023)
2023 CGP TXR150000: TCEQ issued the renewal of the CGP with an effective date of March 5, 2023. Construction activities are regulated under the CGP if they discharge stormwater to any surface water in the state and disturb an acre or more of soil. Large construction activities which disturb 5 or more acres, or are part of a larger common plan of development or sale that will disturb 5 or more a...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New and substantially improved residential structures in Amarillo's FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas must have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated to at least one foot above the Base Flood Elevation, certified by a registered engineer, architect, or land surveyor.
Amarillo Floodplain Elevation: Lowest Floor One Foot Above BFE
Some RestrictionsAmarillo Code of Ordinances § 4-8-8(d)(1) (Residential Construction)
Residential Construction—New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or at least one (1) foot above the Base Flood Elevation. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor shall submit a certification to the Floodplain Administrator that these standards are satisfied.