Clearwater, FL Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing article
- Ch. 32, Art. X, Secs. 32.391-32.399
- Daily fine cap
- $500.00 per day
- Civil penalty cap
- $5,000.00 per offense
- Spill notification deadline
- Written confirmation within 3 days
- Enforcing office
- Public Works director / EMG
Summary
Clearwater bans any discharge into the city stormwater system that is not composed entirely of stormwater, with limited exceptions like firefighting flows and lawn irrigation. Violations draw fines up to $500 per day plus civil penalties up to $5,000 per offense.
Sec. 32.394. - Illicit discharges. (1)General prohibitions. Except as provided in subsection (3) or as may be in accordance with a valid NPDES permit, any discharge to the stormwater system that is not composed entirely of stormwater is prohibited.(2)Specific prohibitions. Any discharge to the stormwater system containing any pollutants, sewage, industrial waste or other waste materials, or containing any materials in violation of federal, state, county, municipal, or other laws, rules, regulations, orders or permits, is prohibited.(4)Illicit connections. No person may maintain, use or establish any direct or indirect connection to the stormwater system that results in any discharge in violation of this section. This prohibition applies to connections made prior to the effective date of this article, regardless of whether made under a permit, or other authorization, or whether permissible under laws or practices applicable or prevailing at the time the connection was made.
Full Breakdown
Under Code of Ordinances Sec. 394, the City of Clearwater prohibits any discharge to the stormwater system that is not composed entirely of stormwater, except as allowed under a valid NPDES permit. Specific prohibitions bar discharges containing pollutants, sewage, industrial waste, or other waste materials, or anything violating federal, state, county or municipal law. The code exempts narrow categories: firefighting flows, water line flushing, potable water contributions, landscape irrigation and lawn watering, diverted stream flows, rising groundwater, foundation and footing drains, crawl space pump water, air conditioning condensation, springs, individual residential car washing, and flows from riparian habitats and wetlands.
Sec. 394(4) also bars maintaining, using, or establishing any illicit connection to the stormwater system that results in a prohibited discharge, and that ban reaches connections made before the article took effect regardless of whether they were once permitted. Sec. 395 requires anyone who learns of a violating discharge to immediately notify the City Environmental Management Group (EMG) by phone and, if responsible for the discharge, to contain and clean it up and confirm the notification in writing to EMG within three calendar days. The director of public works may issue an administrative order under Sec.
397 requiring a person to immediately cease a discharge or eliminate a connection. Authorized city officials may inspect property to enforce the article under Sec. 396, and may seek a search warrant if entry is refused. The article was adopted under Ord. No. 5588-94 and later amended by Ord. No. 8931-16 in 2016, and it applies citywide to protect the stormwater collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal system feeding into Tampa Bay.
Violations & Fines
Violating Article X is punishable under Sec. 32.398 by a fine of up to $500.00 per day, with each day a violation continues after a notice of violation or director's order constituting a separate offense. Sec. 32.399 additionally lets the city commission pursue injunctive relief and recover a civil penalty of up to $5,000.00 per offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash my car and let the water run into the street in Clearwater?
What do I do if I see someone dumping into a storm drain in Clearwater?
How much can the city fine someone for illegally discharging into a storm drain?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clearwater
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Pinellas County handle stormwater management.