Environmental Rules in Springfield, MA (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Springfield, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Springfield requires a stormwater management permit before larger construction projects: commercial buildings over 5,000 square feet or sites disturbing an acre or more.
Springfield MA Stormwater Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 336-6
Prior to the commencement of construction for any proposed development listed below, a stormwater management permit, or a waiver of the requirement for a stormwater management permit, must be issued by the Stormwater Authority... Any new commercial, industrial, institutional structures under the same ownership, with at least 5,000 square feet of gross floor area, 10,000 square feet of imperviou...
Erosion Control
Any construction disturbing an acre or more, or meeting other size thresholds, needs a Stormwater Management Permit from Springfield's Stormwater Authority before grading, earth moving, or land clearing begins, under Chapter 336 of the City Code.
Springfield Grading and Drainage Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 336-6
Permit or waiver required. Prior to the commencement of construction for any proposed development listed below, a stormwater management permit, or a waiver of the requirement for a stormwater management permit, must be issued by the Stormwater Authority. No person shall, on or after the effective date of this chapter, initiate any land clearing and grubbing, land grading, earth moving or develo...
Flood Zones
Any construction or land-disturbing activity in Springfield's Floodplain Overlay District, new buildings, additions, fences, sheds, paving, or grading, needs a permit under Section 8.4.41, plus a Special Permit application to the Board of Appeals under Section 8.4.42.
Springfield, MA Floodplain Development Permit
Significant RestrictionsSpringfield Zoning Ordinance § 8.4.41
The City of Springfield requires a permit for all proposed construction or other development in the floodplain overlay district, including new construction or changes to existing buildings, placement of manufactured homes, placement of agricultural facilities, fences, sheds, storage facilities or drilling, mining, paving and any other development that might increase flooding or adversely impact...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Springfield, Massachusetts requires a Board of Appeals special permit for any construction in its Floodplain Overlay District, and applicants must document the mean sea level elevation of the lowest habitable floor and any flood-proofing before building in a FEMA-mapped Zone A or AE area of Hampden County.
Springfield, MA Floodplain Elevation Requirements
Significant RestrictionsSpringfield Zoning Ordinance § 8.4.42(B)
B. The location, dimensions and mean sea level of the lowest habitable floor, including basement of existing and proposed BUILDINGs and STRUCTURE thereon, and the elevation to which the STRUCTURE has been flood-proofed.