Environmental Rules in Brownsville, TX (2026)
3 verified environmental rules for Brownsville, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Brownsville runs a TPDES-permitted municipal storm sewer system with a broad illicit discharge article, and requires engineer-signed stormwater management plans, maintenance easements and recorded covenants for subdivision and site plan development.
MS4 discharge bans plus engineered stormwater plans
Some RestrictionsBrownsville Code of Ordinances, Development Code § 5.6.7(A)
No land owner or developer will receive a building, grading or other land development permit required for any land disturbance activity without first meeting these stormwater management requirements prior to commencing the proposed activity.
Erosion Control
Excavation and grading in Brownsville run under a model code adopted by reference in its 1975 edition, enforced by the city engineer and building official. Owners on unpaved streets install driveway culverts at their own cost.
Grading follows a 1975 model code; culverts on owners
Some RestrictionsBrownsville Code of Ordinances § 18-716 (Ord. No. 2008-1485, § 1, 5-20-2008)
The Standard Excavation and Grading Code, 1975 Edition, published by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc., is adopted by the city commission for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations governing excavations and grading and excavation and grading activities within the corporate limits.
Coastal Development
Brownsville sits about twenty miles inland of the Gulf and holds no public beach. The Texas Coastal Management Program boundary starts at the city's International Toll Bridge, so coastal zone consistency review reaches much of Brownsville.
Coastal zone rules apply; no city beach jurisdiction
Few Restrictions31 Tex. Admin. Code § 503.1 (Coastal Management Program Boundary)
The boundary begins at the International Toll Bridge in Brownsville, thence northward along U.S. Highway 77 to the junction of Paredes Lines Road (FM Road 1847) in Brownsville, thence northward along FM Road 1847
Looking for Cameron County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Brownsville city rules.
Environmental Rules in Cameron County →