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Environmental Rules in Norman, OK (2026)

4 verified environmental rules for Norman, Oklahoma, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Stormwater Management

Any Norman facility or activity the Department of Environmental Quality regulates under the Oklahoma Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act needs a permit before discharging pollutants, including stormwater, into state waters. Violators face a state administrative fine up to $10,000.00 per day, capped at $125,000.00 per violation, and Norman's own code adds a separate local $1,000.00 fine for pretreatment and stormwater discharge violations.

Norman Stormwater Discharge Permit Requirements

Some Restrictions

27A O.S. § 2-6-205; 27A O.S. § 2-6-206

A. Except as otherwise provided in subsection B of this section, it shall be unlawful for any facility, activity or entity regulated by the Department of Environmental Quality pursuant to the Oklahoma Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act to discharge any pollutant into waters of the state or elsewhere without first obtaining a permit from the Executive Director. B. The Environmental Quali...

Erosion Control

Norman requires vegetative cover and erosion or sedimentation control on every subdivision drainage improvement, installed with the drainage work itself or backed by a surety through the Director of Public Works. Building permits creating more than 500 square feet of new impervious area also trigger an erosion control fee, and any earth-disturbing grading needs a separate earth change permit under NCC 30-513 and NCC 6-105.

Norman Erosion & Sediment Control Rules

Some Restrictions

NCC 30-513

All vegetative cover and erosion/sedimentation control measures required by this chapter shall be completed either: At the time the drainage improvements are installed; or On each lot within a subdivision plat or parcel of land subsequent to the improvements of all lots within said subdivision plat or parcel of land, but prior to the final inspections of such improvements by the Public Works De...

Flood Zones

Norman's FH, Flood Hazard District overlays every mapped special flood hazard area in the city. New construction, substantial improvements, fill, grading, or storage of materials there needs a floodplain permit from the Floodplain Permit Committee before work starts.

Norman Floodplain Development Permit Rules

Significant Restrictions

Norman City Code § 36-533(e)

General standards. In all special flood hazard areas, the following provisions are required for all new construction and substantial improvements and a floodplain permit is required: ... All new construction, substantial improvements, or other development (including fill) shall not be permitted within the floodplain area, unless it is demonstrated that the effect of the proposed development wil...

Flood Elevation Requirements

Norman requires two feet of freeboard above base flood elevation. Every new residential and nonresidential structure in a mapped special flood hazard area must sit with its lowest floor, including basements, ductwork, and mechanical equipment, at least two feet above the BFE.

Norman Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule

Significant Restrictions

Norman City Code § 36-533(e)(3)a

Residential structures, including both site-built and manufactured homes, shall be constructed on fill so that the lowest floor including basement, ductwork, mechanical and electrical equipment including furnaces, water heaters, and air conditioners, etc. is at least two (2) feet above the base flood elevation. The fill shall be at a level no lower than one (1) foot above the base flood elevati...