Environmental Rules in Lake Havasu City, AZ (2026)
6 verified environmental rules for Lake Havasu City, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Lake Havasu City prohibits nearly all non-stormwater discharges into its municipal storm drain system under section 8.28.080, covering everything from concrete washout and pool water to oils, paints, and undisclosed connections. The City Engineer administers the program, can require inspections and Best Management Practices on any development, and enforces violations as public nuisances subject to abatement at the violator's expense.
Stormwater Discharge Rules in Lake Havasu City
Some RestrictionsLake Havasu City Code § 8.28.080
A. All illicit discharges to the public storm drain system are prohibited. These include, but are not limited to the following: 1. Discharges that are a source of pollutants, including discharges through connections that are a source of pollutants. 2. Discharge of soil, rock, trash, garbage and other waste. ... ... 4. Discharge from commercial car washing, mobile car washing, or impervious surf...
Erosion Control
Lake Havasu City requires stormwater pollution prevention plans for construction projects of one acre or more under Chapter 8.28, Stormwater. Builders must file a Notice of Intent with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, use Best Management Practices to stop illicit discharges into the municipal storm sewer system, and maintain those BMPs until the site is fully stabilized.
Lake Havasu City Construction Erosion Control Rules
Some RestrictionsLake Havasu City Code § 8.28.100
B. The city shall require that any person submitting a grading, building, or other improvement plan disclose if illicit discharge, stormwater, or permitted non-stormwater discharge of any type to the MS4 may occur as a result of, or in conjunction with the implementation of the plan. To the extent that the discharge would be an illicit discharge, if connected to the MS4, the plan shall include ...
Flood Zones
Before any construction or development begins within a mapped special flood hazard area in Lake Havasu City, the property owner must obtain a development permit from the Floodplain Administrator under City Code Chapter 8.22, adopted under authority of A.R.S. § 48-3610. The permit application must show elevations, proposed structures, fill, storage of materials and drainage facilities, and flood-proofing certification for nonresidential buildings.
Flood Zone Development Permits in Lake Havasu City
Some RestrictionsLake Havasu City Code § 8.22.170
A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in § 8.22.070. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Floodplain Administrator and may include but not be limited to: plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions and elevation of the area in ques...
Boat Dock Permits
Every dock built in Lake Havasu City, whether at a marina or a private waterfront lot, must meet the city's dock construction standards and go through a permit process: engineer-sealed plans, proof of an Army Corps of Engineers permit, and a $12-per-square-foot permit valuation.
Lake Havasu City Boat Dock Permit Standards
Some RestrictionsLake Havasu City Code § 12.08.100
That certain document entitled "Layout and Design Guidelines for Small Craft Berthing Facilities," declared a public document by City Council Resolution No. 91-705 is hereby referred to and adopted by reference as if fully set out herein except that the specific provision of this section shall govern. ... ... P. Construction and maintenance. ... All construction and maintenance of dock systems ...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
In Lake Havasu City, watercraft that have run up onto the beach inside the Bridgewater Channel cannot idle their engines for any reason once secured on shore. The rule runs year-round and carries a criminal, not just civil, penalty for anyone who ignores it.
Lake Havasu City Bans Beached-Boat Idling
Some RestrictionsLake Havasu City Code § 8.16.210
A. The provisions of this article apply to the entire Bridgewater Channel as defined in § 8.16.020B of this Code. B. The provisions of this article are effective 365 days per year. C. It shall be unlawful for any motor-driven watercraft that is beached within the restricted area to idle their engines for any purpose once they are securely beached. Motor-driven watercraft may start their engines...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Lake Havasu City requires new and substantially improved structures in flood hazard zones to sit at or above the Regulatory Flood Elevation, defined in City Code § 8.22.050 as one foot above the base flood elevation. That one-foot freeboard applies to residential lowest floors in Zones AE, AH and A1-30, to manufactured homes, and to attached garages and low-cost accessory structures.
Lake Havasu City Freeboard and Flood Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsLake Havasu City Code § 8.22.050
MMM. REGULATORY FLOOD ELEVATION (RFE). An elevation 1 foot above the base flood elevation for a watercourse for which the base flood elevation has been determined and shall be determined by the criteria developed by the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources for all other watercourses.
Looking for Mohave County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lake Havasu City city rules.
Environmental Rules in Mohave County →