Leon County, FL Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing article
- LDC Article XIII, Sec. 10-13.101 et seq.
- Federal permit
- NPDES Permit No. FLS000033 (MS4)
- Core prohibition
- Illicit discharges/connections banned, Sec. 10-13.107
- Maximum fine
- $500/day plus up to 60 days jail
- Enforcement body
- Leon County Code Enforcement Board
- Fine destination
- Deposited into the stormwater utility fund
Summary
Leon County bans illicit discharges and illicit connections into its storm sewer system under Sec. 10-13.107, enforcing the county's federal NPDES permit. Violators face code enforcement board penalties up to $500 a day or 60 days in jail under Sec. 10-13.111, with each day a separate offense.
(a)Illicit discharges and illicit connections are prohibited.(b)Persons responsible for illicit discharges or illicit connections shall immediately, upon notification or discovery, initiate procedures to cease the illicit discharge or illicit connection, or obtain appropriate federal, state, or local permits for such discharge or connection.(c)This section is retroactive and applies to any illicit discharge or illicit connection made to the county's MS4 or waters of the United States within the county prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived, unless made under federal, state, or local permit or other authorization.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 12).
Full Breakdown
chs. 125, 163 and 403 and required by the county's federal NPDES Permit No. FLS000033. Sec. 104 bars any discharge that would impair the MS4's operation or cause it to violate that federal permit, and directs that discharges to waters of the United States be controlled to the maximum extent practicable. Sec. 107 flatly prohibits illicit discharges and illicit connections, defined as any conveyance or release to the MS4 that is not composed entirely of stormwater unless specifically exempted, and applies retroactively to connections made before the ordinance took effect.
Anyone responsible for an illicit discharge must immediately begin corrective measures once notified or upon discovery, or obtain the federal, state or local permit that would legalize the discharge. Sec. 105 separately requires stormwater from industrial or construction activity to be treated on-site under applicable permits before it reaches the MS4 or federal waters, and Sec. 106 makes owners of any interconnected MS4 segment responsible for the quality of what flows from their portion of the system. The county director, meaning the County Administrator or designee, administers the article and can issue written cease-and-desist orders by certified mail or hand delivery where a discharge threatens public health or the environment.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 10-13.111 refers violations to the county code enforcement board under Chapter 6, with each day of an illicit discharge or connection counted as a separate violation. Beyond code enforcement fines, a court conviction under Sec. 6-26 carries a fine of up to $500 a day, up to 60 days in jail, or both, and violators must also reimburse the county's cleanup, sampling and monitoring costs, with unpaid fines becoming a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an illegal discharge into Leon County's storm drains?
I found an old pipe draining something other than rain into a ditch. Is that against the rules even though it has been there for years?
What can Leon County do if I ignore a stormwater violation notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Leon County
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