5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in New York County, New York.
Verified from official government sources
Manhattan stormwater is managed through NYC DEP combined sewer system rules, the NYC Unified Stormwater Rule, and NY State SPDES MS4 permitting.
Manhattan construction sites disturbing soil must implement erosion and sediment controls under NYC DEP rules and NYS SPDES stormwater permits for sites over one acre.
All of Manhattan sits on an island and is subject to NYC's coastal development framework, administered by the City rather than New York County (which has no independent government). The NYC Waterfront Revitalization Program (WRP) is the city's federally approved coastal management program; projects in the designated coastal zone require a WRP consistency review by the NYC Department of City Planning. Construction in mapped FEMA flood hazard areas must comply with NYC Building Code Appendix G (Flood-Resistant Construction) and NYC Zoning Resolution Article VI, Chapter 4 (Special Regulations Applying in Flood Zones). Post-Sandy, NYC also created Special Coastal Risk Districts under the Zoning Resolution to limit new development in highest-risk areas — none currently mapped in Manhattan, but the rest of the framework applies.
Much of Lower Manhattan, Battery Park City, and the Financial District lie in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas; construction must meet NYC Appendix G and Zoning Resolution Article VI Chapter 4.
Manhattan properties must direct runoff to the combined sewer via approved house/sewer connections; DEP site connection approval is required before DOB sign-off.
1 cities in New York County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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