Bellevue, NE Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Chapter 27.5 of the Bellevue Code of Ordinances sets the city's stormwater management program. Section 27.5-1 states its purpose is to control the adverse impacts of increased and altered stormwater runoff and to reduce stream channel erosion and local flooding, and section 27.5-2 incorporates the Omaha Regional Stormwater Design Manual by reference for interpreting and enforcing the chapter, with a current copy kept by the director and the city clerk. Section 27.5-21 prohibits any person from causing or permitting the discharge of non-stormwater runoff into the municipal separate storm sewer system unless it falls into a listed exception, such as fire fighting flows without significant pollutants, diverted stream flows, rising groundwater, potable water discharges, footing drains, lawn watering, individual residential car washing, or discharges specifically authorized by the city.

Section 27.5-22 separately bans installing, maintaining or using any illicit connection to the storm sewer system, including connections made in the past, and section 27.5-23 lets the director order removal of an illicit connection after 30 days' written notice, with the city able to sue to recover its removal costs. Under section 27.5-141, the city can order a discharger to stop, to modify facilities, to install pretreatment such as storage or detention, or to pay the city's remedial costs. Section 27.5-142 requires written notice of a violation before further enforcement.

Section 27.5-143 sets the penalty: a person who fails to comply with a director's order, or who willfully or negligently violates the chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor and fined up to $500.00, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense, in addition to any other applicable Code penalty.