Environmental Rules in Lubbock, TX (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Lubbock, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Lubbock bans any non-stormwater discharge into its municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) under City Code Section 22.11.031, unless it falls into one of 21 exempted categories such as landscape irrigation, foundation drains, or charitable car washes. The stormwater engineer enforces the article, with authority to issue stop-work orders and fines up to $2,000 per violation per day under Section 22.11.040.
Lubbock Stormwater Discharge Prohibition Rules
Significant RestrictionsLubbock Code of Ordinances § 22.11.031(a)
No person shall intentionally introduce or cause to be introduced into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) any discharge that is not composed entirely of stormwater, unless it is composed entirely of one or more of the categories of discharges listed in subsection (b) of this section and the non-stormwater discharges in the city's MS4 permit. Any direct connection to a city-owned st...
Erosion Control
Lubbock requires grading plans for subdivisions and any site work over 5,000 sf of disturbance. Residential lots must positively drain to approved outfalls; ponding within 10 ft of foundations is prohibited.
Environmental: Grading Drainage
Some RestrictionsTex. Local Gov. Code Sec. 232.003 (County Subdivision Requirements - Drainage/Right-of-Way)
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) require a ...
Flood Zones
Any development inside a Lubbock floodplain needs a Floodplain Development Permit from the Floodplain Administrator before work starts, under UDC Section 39.05.009. The application has to show the elevation of the lowest floor, any floodproofing elevation for nonresidential buildings backed by a professional engineer's certificate, and how the project will alter any watercourse or natural drainage.
Lubbock Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsLubbock Unified Development Code § 39.05.009
Floodplain development permit. a. Required. A Floodplain Development Permit in a floodplain is required to ensure conformance with this Division. b. Application. Application for a Floodplain Development Permit shall be presented to the Floodplain Administrator and shall include plans drawn to scale showing the location, dimensions and elevation of proposed landscape alterations, existing and pr...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Lubbock has no broad municipal idling ban, but the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality applies idling restrictions to heavy-duty diesel trucks in non-attainment counties, and Lubbock County is currently outside those zones.
Lubbock vehicle idling and air-quality rules
Few RestrictionsTex. Transp. Code Sec. 545.404
Sec. 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), an operator may not leave a vehicle unattended without:(1) stopping the engine;(2) locking the ignition;(3) removing the key from the ignition;(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway.(b) The requirements of Subse...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Lubbock's floodplain code requires new and substantially improved homes in special flood hazard areas to raise their lowest floor above the base flood elevation using the most restrictive of six freeboard tests set by the City Engineer as Floodplain Administrator.
Lubbock Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rules
Some RestrictionsLubbock Code of Ordinances § 39.05.013
New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement), electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air conditioning equipment, and other service facilities, including ductwork, elevated to the most restrictive flood protection elevation as set forth below. 1. Lowest floor elevation. A. One foot above the one percent annual cha...
Looking for Lubbock County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lubbock city rules.
Environmental Rules in Lubbock County →