Environmental Rules in Waco, TX (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Waco, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Waco requires a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) for any residential, commercial, or industrial development disturbing one acre or more, including sites under an acre that are part of a larger common plan of development. Smaller stand-alone sites need an erosion control plan instead. The director of engineering and building official enforce compliance before certificates of occupancy issue.
Waco Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Required
Some RestrictionsWaco, Tex., Code of Ordinances § 26-326(a)-(b) (Ch. 26, Art. VIII, Stormwater Regulations)
(a)The stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) shall describe and ensure the implementation of practices that will be used to reduce the pollutants in stormwater discharges associated with construction activity at the construction site and assure compliance with the terms and conditions of a TCEQ or EPA stormwater permit.(b)Except as provided in subsection (2), a site specific storm water ...
Erosion Control
Waco requires anyone disturbing an acre or more, or a smaller site inside a larger development, to file a stormwater pollution prevention plan and run erosion controls like silt fences, straw bales and stabilized entrances while building. Sites under an acre and outside a larger project still need a city erosion control plan for commercial, industrial, multifamily or subdivision work.
Waco Construction Erosion and Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsWaco, Tex., Code of Ordinances § 26-327(a)-(b)(1)
(a)The responsible party of any construction site within the city shall implement measures necessary to control erosion, sedimentation, debris, and stormwater pollution. The responsible party is responsible for the maintenance and performance of the temporary pollution control measures until permanent measures are in place. The pollution controls are designed to be selected by the developer bas...
Boat Dock Permits
Waco requires every marina or dock built on Lake Brazos to be constructed in accordance with all federal, state, and city requirements, per Chapter 17's lakes article. Zoning separately lists 'Lake, marina, boat dock' as a permitted use in every zoning district citywide, so the compliance duty in Sec. 17-170 layers on top of standard zoning and site-development rules rather than replacing them.
Waco Boat Dock and Marina Construction Compliance
Some RestrictionsWaco, Tex., Code of Ordinances § 17-170
Each marina or dock constructed on Lake Brazos must be constructed in accordance with all federal, state, and city requirements.
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Waco's FEMA special flood hazard areas, new and substantially improved homes must have their lowest floor, including any basement, elevated to two feet or more above the base flood elevation: a two-foot freeboard standard certified by a licensed professional.
Waco Floodplain: Lowest Floor Two Feet Above Base Flood Elevation
Some RestrictionsWaco Code of Ordinances § 11-62(1) (Ord. No. 2013-486)
In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data has been provided, as set forth in subsections 11-2(b) or 11-63(c), the following provisions are required: (1) Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to two feet or more above the base flood elevation, togethe...