Broomfield, CO Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Discharge standard
- Only natural stormwater allowed
- Admin fine cap
- $2,650.00 per violation/day
- Criminal penalty
- Up to 90 days jail
- Enforcer
- Public works director/health officer
- Construction trigger
- 1+ acre disturbed
- Appeal window
- 15 days
Summary
Broomfield bans discharging anything but natural stormwater into its municipal storm sewer system, with a short list of exempt nonstormwater flows like lawn watering and firefighting. The public works director and public health officer enforce the rule, backed by fines up to $2,650.00 per violation per day.
No person shall contribute or cause to be contributed, directly or indirectly, a discharge of any substance other than naturally occurring stormwater runoff into the city's storm sewer system except the following exemptions:(A)Nonstormwater discharges, including the following:(1)Emergency fire-fighting activities;(2)Discharges from potable water sources, including waterline flushing, in accordance with CDPHE Water Quality Control Division's low risk policy discharge guidance for potable water as amended, from time to time. ... The director, public health officer or ... designee may assess a fine when a person has violated, or continues to violate, any provision of this chapter, a CDPS/NPDES discharge permit, or order issued herein. The director, public health officer or their designee may fine such person an amount not to exceed $2,650.00 Such fines shall be assessed on a per violation, per day basis.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 13-40, B.M.C. is Broomfield's stormwater regulations chapter, adopted to comply with the federal Clean Water Act and to keep pollutants out of the city's municipal separate storm sewer system, or MS4 (13-40-010). Section 13-40-040 bars any person from contributing a discharge other than naturally occurring stormwater to the storm sewer system, carving out narrow exemptions such as emergency firefighting, potable waterline flushing under CDPHE's low-risk guidance, landscape irrigation and lawn watering, dechlorinated pool discharge, and noncommercial residential car washing. Illicit connections, including any line carrying sewage into the storm system, are separately prohibited (13-40-050).
The director of public works or the public health officer can suspend storm sewer access without prior notice for an imminent danger, or terminate access after written notice and a hearing opportunity within three days (13-40-060). Property owners along a watercourse must keep it free of trash, debris and obstacles (13-40-110). Construction or redevelopment projects disturbing one acre or more must hold a CDPS/NPDES stormwater permit and comply with the city's Standards and Specifications (13-40-080, 13-40-090). Enforcement runs from verbal and written notices of violation through compliance orders, administrative fines, and suspension or revocation of storm sewer service (13-40-140).
Violations & Fines
Administrative fines reach $2,650.00 per violation per day, with unpaid fines becoming a property lien after 30 days; users may appeal within 15 days of the fine or order. Criminal prosecution for willful or negligent violations is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $2,650.00 per violation per day, imprisonment of not more than 90 days, or both, and doubles for a second conviction. The city may also seek injunctive relief and civil penalties of up to $2,650.00 per violation per day through municipal court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I legally put into a Broomfield storm drain?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broomfield
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