Environmental Rules in Yakima, WA (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Yakima, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Yakima operates a regulated Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) under the Washington Department of Ecology Eastern Washington Phase II Permit and codifies its program in YMC Title 7 — specifically Chapter 7.80 (Storm Drainage and Surface Water Management Utility), Chapter 7.82 (Construction Stormwater Runoff), Chapter 7.83 (Post-Construction Stormwater Runoff) and Chapter 7.85 (Stormwater Illicit Discharge). The Wastewater Treatment Plant/Stormwater Division administers the utility, bills a monthly stormwater assessment fee based on impervious surface, and applies the Stormwater Management Manual for Eastern Washington (SWMMEW) for design.
Stormwater Management in Yakima
Heavy RestrictionsErosion Control
Erosion and construction stormwater controls in Yakima are codified in YMC Chapter 7.82 (Construction Stormwater Runoff). Any construction activity that disturbs land must apply source-control BMPs from the Stormwater Management Manual for Eastern Washington. Sites that clear or grade one acre or more (or are part of a larger common plan of development that totals one acre) must also obtain Ecology's Construction Stormwater General Permit under Chapter 90.48 RCW, prepare a written Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), and keep it on site for inspection.
Erosion and Construction Stormwater Control in Yakima
Heavy RestrictionsFlood Zones
Yakima's floodplain regulations live in YMC Title 15 (Urban Area Zoning Ordinance) — primarily YMC Chapter 15.27 Critical Areas (which implements the National Flood Insurance Program and the Growth Management Act) and the Floodplain Overlay (FO) district within YMC Chapter 15.03. The Yakima River and Naches River both flow through or near the city and produced major flood events in February 1996 and January 2009, driving the current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Any development within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) requires a floodplain development permit before work begins.
Flood Zones in Yakima
Heavy RestrictionsGrading & Drainage
Yakima's grading and drainage review sits at the intersection of YMC Chapter 7.83 (Post-Construction Stormwater Runoff), YMC Chapter 7.82 (Construction Stormwater Runoff), the building code under YMC Title 11, and the Stormwater Management Manual for Eastern Washington (SWMMEW) adopted by reference. Projects that create or replace 5,000 square feet or more of new or replaced hard surface trigger formal post-construction review; projects that create 10,000 square feet or more of new impervious surface and discharge to surface water must build flow-control facilities. The Surface Water Engineer at the Wastewater Treatment Plant reviews drainage submittals.
Grading and Drainage in Yakima
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Yakima County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Yakima city rules.
Environmental Rules in Yakima County →