Bexar County, TX Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- MS4 Permit
- TXR040000
- Construction Permit
- TXR150000
- Disturbance Trigger
- 1 acre or more
- Edwards WPAP
- Required 5+ acre recharge sites
- BMP Capture
- First 1.5 inches runoff
Summary
Bexar County stormwater is regulated under TCEQ MS4 permit TXR040000. Construction sites of 1 acre or more need an SWPPP and NOI. Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone sites face extra TCEQ WPAP requirements.
Stormwater General Permit for Construction Activities Stormwater permit requirements for the discharge of stormwater associated with construction activities that disturb one (1) or more acres of soil. [...] 2023 CGP TXR150000 TCEQ issued the renewal of the CGP with an effective date of March 5, 2023. Construction activities are regulated under the CGP if they discharge stormwater to any surface water in the state and disturb an acre or more of soil. [...] Stormwater Requirements for Construction Activities Large construction activities which disturb 5 or more acres, or are part of a larger common plan of development or sale that will disturb 5 or more acres, are regulated under this general permit. Small construction activities which disturb at least 1 but less than 5 acres, or are part of a larger common plan of development or sale that will disturb at least 1 but less than 5 acres, are also regulated under this general permit. Construction activities that disturb less than 1 acre, and are not part of a larger common plan of development or sale that would disturb 1 or more acres, are not regulated by this general permit. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3) The CGP requires construction site operators to develop and implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3) prior to commencing construction. A SWP3 is a document that outlines construction plans and best management practices (BMPs) to control pollutants that may be discharged in stormwater runoff.
Full Breakdown
Bexar County is covered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) general permit, TXR040000, which imposes six minimum control measures on local jurisdictions including public education, illicit discharge detection, construction site runoff control, and post-construction stormwater management. For individual construction sites, Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Construction General Permit TXR150000 requires any operator disturbing one acre or more, or less than one acre if part of a larger common plan of development, to prepare a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), file a Notice of Intent with TCEQ, and install and maintain best management practices including silt fence, inlet protection, and stabilized construction exits.
In addition, any development over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone or Transition Zone, which covers a large arc across northern Bexar County including parts of San Antonio, Castle Hills, and unincorporated areas, is subject to the TCEQ Edwards Aquifer Protection Program. Recharge zone developments disturbing 5 acres or more require a Water Pollution Abatement Plan (WPAP) approved by TCEQ before construction; smaller sites need a Contributing Zone Plan. 5 inches of runoff.
Violations & Fines
TCEQ enforcement penalties for stormwater violations range from 1,000 to more than 25,000 dollars per day depending on severity. Clean Water Act citizen suit liability can add federal exposure. Edwards Aquifer WPAP violations have triggered six-figure settlements in the San Antonio region.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need a stormwater permit in Bexar County?
What if my site is on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bexar County
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