Environmental Rules in Garland, TX (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Garland, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Garland bans discharging anything but stormwater into its municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), covering everything from used motor oil to pool water and construction sediment. A short list of narrow affirmative defenses exists, like firefighting flows or uncontaminated groundwater, but the City can void any defense once it identifies the discharge as a pollutant source, under § 31.171.
Garland Stormwater Discharge Prohibition Rules
Some RestrictionsGarland, TX Code of Ordinances § 31.171(A)-(C)
No person shall introduce or cause to be introduced into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) any discharge that is not composed entirely of stormwater. It is an affirmative defense to any enforcement action for violation of subsection (A) of this section that the discharge was composed entirely of one or more of the following categories of discharges: (1) A discharge authorized by, ...
Erosion Control
Garland requires grading permits for land disturbance activities under the Development Code. All development must manage drainage to prevent adverse impacts on adjacent properties. Post-development stormwater runoff must be detained to match or reduce pre-development flow rates. The city's terrain varies from flat to gently rolling, requiring engineered drainage solutions for developments near creek corridors.
Garland Grading & Drainage Rules
Light RestrictionsTex. Local Government Code Sec. 232.003 (Subdivision Requirements - Drainage Specifications)
Sec. 232.003. SUBDIVISION REQUIREMENTS. By an order adopted and entered in the minutes of the commissioners court, and after a notice is published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, the commissioners court may:(1) require a right-of-way on a street or road that functions as a main artery in a subdivision, of a width of not less than 50 feet or more than 100 feet;(2) requir...
Flood Zones
Garland requires a floodplain development permit from the Director of Engineering, the City's floodplain administrator, before any structure, fill, or land-use change occurs within the FEMA-mapped special flood hazard areas covering parts of Dallas, Collin, and Rockwall Counties. The rule tracks the National Flood Insurance Program under §§ 31.100-31.103, and violations can carry a $500 fine per violation.
Garland Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsGarland, TX Code of Ordinances § 31.102(A), (D)-(E)
This article shall apply to all locations in or near areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of the City, as delineated in the last published National Flood Insurance Program maps and all letters of map amendment or revision thereto. ... Establishment of development permit. A development permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of this article. ... Compl...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Garland caps bus idling at transportation depots to thirty minutes under GDC § 2.52(A)(10)(c), a noise and air-quality standard written into the zoning rules for bus and passenger depot sites citywide. The cap applies to every bus parked at a depot, not just those loading or unloading passengers.
Garland Bus Idling Time Limit
Some RestrictionsGarland Development Code § 2.52(A)(10)(c)
Idling Buses.To reduce noise and potentially harmful fumes, buses are prohibited from idling with the engine running for a period longer than one-half hour.
Flood Elevation Requirements
Garland requires two feet of freeboard above the base flood elevation for new and substantially improved residential structures, exceeding the one-foot federal minimum. Mechanical and electrical equipment must clear the base flood elevation by at least one foot, and a licensed engineer, architect, or surveyor must certify compliance to the City's floodplain administrator under § 31.104(B)(1).
Garland Flood Elevation Freeboard Requirements
Some RestrictionsGarland, TX Code of Ordinances § 31.104(B)(1)
Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement), elevated two (2) feet above the base flood elevation. The bottom of all associated machinery and equipment shall be elevated a minimum of one (1) foot above the base flood elevation. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor ...
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