Environmental Rules in Worcester, MA (2026)
3 verified environmental rules for Worcester, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Worcester bans discharging storm water, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff or subsurface drainage into any public sanitary sewer under Chapter Five, Sections 17 and 18. Storm water must instead flow to a designated storm drain, an approved combined sewer, or a natural outlet approved by the commissioner of public works and parks. Violators face misdemeanor fines and mandatory correction.
Worcester Stormwater Discharge Ordinance
Some RestrictionsWorcester Revised Ordinances of 2008, Chapter Five (Sewers and Storm Water Management) §§ 17-18
§ 17. Certain Discharges Prohibited No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any storm water, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process waters to any public sanitary sewer of the city or to any public sanitary sewer of any member of the district, directly or indirectly. The foregoing types of connecti...
Erosion Control
Anyone permitted to construct, repair, alter or open a public or private way in Worcester must submit an erosion control plan for the commissioner of public works and parks to approve before work starts, one of several mandatory conditions attached to every way-construction permit under Chapter Twelve, Section 12.
Worcester Way-Permit Erosion Control Plan
Some RestrictionsWorcester Revised Ordinances of 2008, Chapter Twelve, § 12(b)(5)
(b) No person shall construct, repair, alter or otherwise open a way for use by the inhabitants thereon or the general public as described in subsection (a) above without first obtaining an inspection permit from the commissioner. The commissioner may impose reasonable conditions and limitations concerning work to be performed under such permit which shall include, but not be limited to, the fo...
Flood Zones
Worcester participates in the NFIP and has significant flood zones along the Blackstone River watershed. FEMA released updated preliminary flood maps in November 2024. Floodplain development permits are required for construction in flood hazard areas.
Worcester Flood Zone Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 131, § 40 – Wetlands Protection Act
No person shall remove, fill, dredge or alter any bank, riverfront area, fresh water wetland, coastal wetland, beach, dune, flat, marsh, meadow or swamp bordering on the ocean or on any estuary, creek, river, stream, pond, or lake, or any land under said waters or any land subject to tidal action, coastal storm flowage, or flooding, other than in the course of maintaining, repairing or replacin...