Environmental Rules in Sterling Heights, MI (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Sterling Heights, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Sterling Heights bans discharging anything but storm water into its municipal storm drain system and watercourses, regulating illicit connections and requiring industrial and construction dischargers to comply with NPDES permits under its Illicit Discharge Elimination Program.
Sterling Heights Stormwater Discharge Rules
Significant RestrictionsSterling Heights Code of Ordinances § 53-116(A)
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the storm drain system or watercourses, any materials, including, but not limited to, pollutants or waters containing any pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards, other than storm water. The commencement, conduct, or continuance of any illegal discharge to the storm drain system is prohibit...
Erosion Control
Sterling Heights requires a Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control permit from the Office of Engineering before any grading, excavation, or earth change under Chapter 17, enforcing Michigan's Part 91 erosion law within Macomb County.
Sterling Heights Soil Erosion Control Permit
Some RestrictionsSterling Heights Code of Ordinances § 17-5(A)
Except as exempted by sections 17-15 of this chapter, no person shall remove any earth materials, perform or undertake any grading, operate a soil excavation site or landfill, deposit land within the City, nor undertake any earth change unless a valid soil erosion and sedimentation control permit has been issued by the Office of Engineering. A landowner or designated agent shall submit an appli...
Flood Zones
Sterling Heights bars human habitation inside its FEMA-mapped floodplain area under Zoning Ordinance Article 16 and imposes a two-foot freeboard on lots that straddle the boundary. Farming, parks, roads, utilities and surface parking are allowed; permit review runs through the Planning Department, Planning Commission and City Engineer, with appeals to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Sterling Heights Floodplain Development Rules
Significant RestrictionsSterling Heights Zoning Ordinance §§ 16.02, 16.04(E)-(F)
FLOODPLAIN AREA, as used herein, is deemed to mean that area defined as (a) special flood hazard area in The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Study (FIS) entitled "Macomb County, Michigan and all Jurisdictions" and dated 9/29/06. ... E. On parcels immediately above the floodplain area boundary, or partly located within such boundary, uses permitted by the zoning distri...
Boat Dock Permits
Sterling Heights requires City of Sterling Heights Building Department approval before anyone builds, maintains or places a dock, pier or raft on recreational waters within the city, from the Clinton River to neighborhood lakes, canals, drains and retention basins. The rule covers all such waters, Macomb County waterways included, with no Clinton River carve-out, and approval follows regulations the City Manager promulgates and files with the City Clerk.
Sterling Heights Dock, Pier and Raft Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsSterling Heights Code of Ordinances § 43-8
43-8. DOCKS, RAFTS AND THE LIKE. No person shall construct, maintain or cause to be placed any dock, pier or raft upon any recreational waters without first securing the approval of the City of Sterling Heights Building Department in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the City Manager. (1978 Code, § 28.5-8; Ord. No. 260, 7-7-87) 43-2. DEFINITIONS. ... RECREATIONAL WATERS. Any wa...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Sterling Heights, Michigan floodplain areas, a home's lowest floor must sit at least two feet above the FEMA floodplain boundary elevation before the city allows habitable construction there.
Sterling Heights Floodplain Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsSterling Heights Zoning Ordinance § 16.04.E.1
The elevation of the lowest floor designed or intended for human habitation shall be at least two feet above the elevation of the floodplain area boundary; 2. In the area below the upper limit of the floodplain area boundary, dumping or backfilling with any material in any manner is prohibited, unless through compensating excavation and shaping of the floodplain area its flow and impoun...
Looking for Macomb County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sterling Heights city rules.
Environmental Rules in Macomb County →