Bradenton, FL Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing department
- Public Works Department (§ 70-193)
- What may enter storm sewers
- Only stormwater; no solid or liquid waste
- Penalty
- Fine up to $500.00 or up to 60 days, or both
- Printed stormwater rate
- $1.50 per month from the November 1996 billing
- Late fee
- 1½ percent per month after 30 days
- Sewer tap notice
- At least 72 hours to the public works director
Summary
In the City of Bradenton, Florida, Article VI of Chapter 70 makes it unlawful to discharge any waste into the city's municipal separate storm sewer system. Only stormwater itself is allowed in the system, and the ban reaches old connections built under a permit. The Public Works Department inspects, and a violation carries a fine of up to $500.00 or up to 60 days in jail.
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any wastes into the city's municipal separate storm sewer system whether such discharges occur through piping connections, runoff, exfiltration, infiltration, seepage or leaks. No person may maintain, use, or establish any direct or indirect connection to any storm sewer owned by the city that results in any discharge in violation of any provision of federal, state, city or other law or regulation. This provision is retroactive and applies to connections made prior to the effective date of this provision, regardless of whether made under a permit, or other authorization, or whether permissible under laws of practices applicable or prevailing at the time the connection was made. No material other than those composed entirely of stormwater shall be disposed of, dumped or spilled into the City's municipal separate storm sewer system, whether such materials are in a solid or liquid form.
Full Breakdown
Article V of Chapter 70 creates the City of Bradenton stormwater management utility and states that all property within the city is subject to it. The mayor appoints a stormwater utility manager, who works under the public works director, keeps the list of developed property and applies the rates. Section 70-177 prints a rate of $1.50 per month beginning with the November 1996 billing, and it directs the manager to re-evaluate the rate structure, with every recommended change going to the city council for approval. Occupants served by the city see the fee as a line item on the city utility bill, and owners of property not served by the city are billed quarterly on a separate bill.
Article VI is the pollution-control side. Section 70-191 sorts discharges into three groups. Industrial wastewater may not be discharged to the storm sewer at all. Industrial stormwater is subject to regulation or permitting under NPDES rules, and a violation can draw an order to cease the discharge immediately. Anyone performing construction must put proper erosion and sediment control practices in place at the site to keep pollutants out of the system. Section 70-192 then bars any waste from entering through piping connections, runoff, exfiltration, infiltration, seepage or leaks, and it bars any direct or indirect connection to a city storm sewer that produces a discharge in violation of federal, state, city or other law. The retroactivity clause means a connection made years ago under a permit earns no protection. Section 70-193 gives the public works department authority for all inspections, surveillance and monitoring.
The Land Use Regulations add site rules. Subsection 4.1.5.3 says discharge from a site shall not encroach into adjoining properties unless documented private or public easements exist, requires written approval from the state or county before stormwater runoff from a site next to a state or county maintained road is discharged, and requires erosion and sediment controls before any grading or clearing, with brush removal for surveying excepted. Subsection 4.1.5.2 requires drainage easements to be kept free of plant growth, debris and permanent fences. Separately, section 70-158 requires a written permit, with at least 72 hours advance notice to the director of public works, before anyone other than an authorized city employee taps into a city sanitary or storm sewer.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Article VI is punishable under section 1-15(a) of the Code: a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment not exceeding 60 days, or both, and each day is a separate offense. The city can also pursue injunctive relief and damages for clean up and removal, and it recovers its court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. Paying the stormwater fee late is its own violation under Article V.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect a drain or pipe to a Bradenton storm sewer?
What is allowed to go into the storm system?
Do construction sites need erosion control in Bradenton?
What happens if I pay the stormwater fee late?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bradenton
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