Environmental Rules in Montgomery, AL (2026)
6 verified environmental rules for Montgomery, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Montgomery prohibits discharging anything but storm water into its municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), including illicit connections like sewage lines tied into storm drains. Industrial and construction sites with an NPDES permit must file a copy with the city engineer, and the city can inspect any regulated premises during business hours. Fines start at $60.00 for a first violation.
Montgomery Bans Illicit Discharges Into Storm Drains
Some RestrictionsMontgomery City Code § 12-205
Sec. 12-205. - Prohibitions of illicit discharges and illicit connections. (a)Prohibition of illicit discharges.(1)Prohibition. Unless otherwise excepted herein, no person shall spill, dump, throw, drain, make, cause to be made or continue to be made; allow others under such person's control to spill, dump, throw, drain, make, cause to be made or continue to be made; or otherwise discharge and/...
Erosion Control
Montgomery requires a grading permit before any land-disturbing activity begins, whether it's clearing, excavating, or filling. The city engineer, acting as the city official, must approve a construction best management practices (CBMP) plan within 30 days of a complete application. Grading without a permit is a misdemeanor, and first-time violators face a $60.00 fine under Article V of the city code.
Montgomery Grading Permit Required for Erosion Control
Some RestrictionsMontgomery City Code § 12-189
Sec. 12-189. - Grading permit required. No person may conduct any land-disturbing activity without having obtained a grading permit from the city official.
Flood Zones
Montgomery requires a floodplain development permit before any construction, fill, or substantial improvement in a mapped special flood hazard area, adopted under Ord. No. 4-2026 effective March 5, 2026. New buildings must sit at least two feet above the base flood elevation, and critical facilities four feet above it. Violations are a misdemeanor with fines up to $500.00.
Montgomery Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsMontgomery City Code § 5-618
Sec. 5-618. - Establishment of a floodplain development permit. A floodplain development permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this article prior to the commencement of any development, as defined in this article, in identified SFHAs and any additional identified community flood hazard areas within the community.
Boat Dock Permits
Montgomery, Alabama permits boat docks, slips, piers, wharves and moorages for yachts and pleasure boats only inside the city's Waterfront Recreation (W-R) zoning district, under City Code Appendix C, Article VII, Section 8. Structures there are capped at two stories or 35 feet, lots carry no minimum area, and any waterfront parcel with dedicated street frontage must keep a 20-foot front yard.
Montgomery, Alabama Boat Dock Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsMontgomery Zoning Ordinance (City Code App. C), Art. VII, Sec. 8
The following regulations shall apply in all W-R districts. Uses permitted. (1)Boat docks, slips, piers, wharves, anchorage and moorages for yachts and pleasure boats.(2)Yacht clubs.(3)Boat rentals, boat livery and boats for hire.(4)Boat and marine motor sales and display, yacht broker, marine insurance broker.(5)Boat and marine motor service and repair while boats are in the water.(6)Retail sa...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Montgomery bans idling or leaving any motor vehicle running unattended for more than 15 minutes, treating the act as a public nuisance under the city's noise ordinance. The city says the rule targets air pollution, noise and vehicle theft, and violators face the same fine as other noise-code offenses.
Montgomery 15-Minute Vehicle Idling Limit
Some RestrictionsMontgomery City Code § 18-175(f)
(f)It is hereby declared a nuisance and shall be unlawful to idle or leave motor vehicles running for more than 15 minutes unattended. The purpose is to help with preventing environmental/air pollution, noise, and to prevent individuals from potentially being a victim of crime/theft.
Flood Elevation Requirements
Montgomery requires new construction and substantial improvements in mapped flood hazard areas to elevate the lowest floor at least two feet above the base flood elevation. The floodplain administrator issues the required development permit, and non-residential buildings may dry-floodproof to the same two-foot freeboard instead of elevating.
Montgomery, Alabama Base Flood Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsMontgomery City Code § 5-652(1)
(1)Residential and non-residential structures. Where BFE data is available, new construction and substantial improvement of any structure or manufactured home shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than two feet above the base flood elevation (also referred to as the design flood elevation). Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, open...