Maricopa, AZ Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Maricopa City Code § 18.85.040(B), (D)
- Design standard
- Must follow city standard details and engineering policies
- Overlay exception
- MU-H Overlay District, see Chapter 18.75 MCC
- Retention purpose
- AZPDES compliance and limited discharge outlet capacity
- Construction gate
- No work until plans approved, fees paid, permit issued
- Infraction fines
- $100 first, $200 second, $500 further violations
- Civil penalty
- Up to $1,000 per day per violation
Summary
Before the city approves any new development, its storm drainage design must conform to Maricopa's engineering standards and carry an Engineering Division-approved grading and drainage plan under Maricopa City Code § 18.85.040(B). Subsection (D) treats on-site storm water retention as a core piece of the city's compliance with Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) rules, the state permit program governing construction-site erosion and sediment control.
B. Design. The design of sanitary sewer, storm drainage, and water system facilities shall conform to the city’s standard details and engineering policies and private utility company standards where these are separately provided. An approved grading and drainage plan by the engineering division is required prior to development approval. Specific exception to this standard may be approved for development in the MU-H Overlay District; see Chapter 18.75 MCC. ... D. Storm Water Retention Required. Storm water retention is an integral component of the city’s storm water management program and compliance with Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements. Due to limitations of discharge outlets, on-site retention is a high priority element for a successful program to minimize flooding and related property damage.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-10, passed April 21, 2026).
Full Breakdown
040(A)). 75 MCC. 020(D)). 040(D) explains why retention is mandatory rather than optional: on-site storm water retention is 'an integral component of the city's storm water management program and compliance with Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements,' and because the city's discharge outlets are limited, retention is treated as 'a high priority element' for preventing flooding and property damage. In practice, a developer's civil engineer submits grading, drainage and retention calculations to the Engineering Division as part of development plan review before any dirt moves, and the retention design has to satisfy AZPDES-driven expectations, not just hold volume.
Violations & Fines
Grading, drainage or retention work started without an approved plan and permit violates Chapter 18.85 and is enforced under Maricopa City Code § 18.190.060: a first infraction draws a fine up to $100, a second on the same property within a year up to $200, and each further violation up to $500, with repeat or willful violations chargeable as a misdemeanor carrying up to $1,000 and six months in county jail, or a civil penalty up to $1,000 per day the violation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an approved grading and drainage plan before building in Maricopa?
Is there any exception to Maricopa's storm drainage design standard?
Why does Maricopa require on-site storm water retention?
What happens if grading starts before the plan is approved?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maricopa
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