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Environmental Rules in Apex, NC (2026)

4 verified environmental rules for Apex, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Stormwater Management

Apex prohibits any non-stormwater discharge into its municipal storm sewer system and bans illicit drainage connections, enforcing violations with civil penalties running up to $500+ per day under the town's illicit discharge ordinance.

Apex Bans Illicit Stormwater Discharges

Some Restrictions

Apex Town Code § 12-202

No person shall cause or allow the discharge, emission, disposal, pouring or pumping directly or indirectly to any stormwater conveyance, the waters of the state, or upon the land in manner and amount that the substance is likely to reach a stormwater conveyance or the waters of the state, any liquid, solid, gas or other substance other than stormwater... The construction, use, maintenance or c...

Erosion Control

Apex requires an approved erosion control plan and a town grading permit before any land-disturbing activity uncovers more than 20,000 square feet, inside the corporate limits and the mapped ETJ.

Apex Grading and Drainage Permit Rule

Some Restrictions

Apex Town Code § 5-145

No person shall initiate any land-disturbing activity which uncovers more than 20,000 square feet without having a soil erosion and sedimentation control plan approved by the town as evidenced by receipt of a letter of soil erosion and sedimentation control plan approval, provide a performance guarantee per section 5-162, and obtain a grading permit from the town.

Flood Zones

Apex requires a floodplain development permit before any development in a Special Flood Hazard Area, inside town limits or its extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Apex, NC Floodplain Development Permit Rules

Some Restrictions

Apex Unified Development Ordinance §§ 6.2.5, 6.2.7

This Flood Damage Prevention Overlay District shall apply to all Special Flood Hazard Areas within the Town and its ETJ. ... A floodplain development permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this Section prior to the commencement of any development activities.

Flood Elevation Requirements

New homes and other structures in Apex's mapped flood hazard areas must be built at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation.

Apex, NC 2-Foot Flood Freeboard Rule

Some Restrictions

Apex Unified Development Ordinance §§ 6.2.16, 6.2.19

New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) existing on August 1, 2000 shall have the reference floor, including basement, elevated no lower than the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation, as defined in Sec. 6.2.19 of this Ordinance. ... "Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation" means the "Base Flood Elevation" plus the "Freeboard". In "...

Looking for Wake County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Apex city rules.

Environmental Rules in Wake County