Environmental Rules in Odessa, TX (2026)
3 verified environmental rules for Odessa, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Odessa bars dumping anything but stormwater into its municipal storm drain system, making it a criminal offense to introduce sewage, chemicals, or wash water into the MS4 without a qualifying exception.
Odessa Illicit Discharge Ban Into Storm Drains
Some RestrictionsOdessa, TX Code of Ordinances § 13-7-3(a)
A person commits an offense if the person introduces or causes to be introduced into the MS4 any discharge that is not composed entirely of stormwater.
Erosion Control
Odessa requires an NPDES or TPDES stormwater discharge permit for construction sites, plus a copy of the notice of intent filed with the city's Development Department before the site starts disturbing land.
Odessa Construction Stormwater Discharge Permit Rule
Light RestrictionsOdessa, TX Code of Ordinances § 13-7-34(a)
The operator of a facility, including construction sites, required to have a NPDES or TPDES permit to discharge stormwater associated with industrial activity shall submit a copy of the notice of intent (NOI) to the director at the same time the operator submits the original notice of intent to the EPA or the TCEQ as applicable.
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Odessa's FEMA-mapped special flood hazard areas, new construction and substantial improvements must elevate the lowest floor to or above base flood elevation, and every structure's first floor must sit at least one foot above BFE as determined by the city engineer.
Odessa floodplain building must sit one foot above base flood
Some RestrictionsOdessa, TX Code of Ordinances sec. 3-12-72 (Specific standards)
(1) Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement), elevated to or above the base flood elevation... (6) First-floor elevation... any building or structure which has the lowest floor erected in that portion of the city designated as an area of special flood hazard on the flood insurance rate ma...