Concord, NC Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Chapter 60 of the Concord Code of Ordinances, adopted by Ordinance No. 07-108 on December 13, 2007 and last amended by Ordinance No. 25-102 in November 2025, prohibits any non-stormwater discharge into the city's municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) except a defined list of exempt flows such as landscape irrigation, uncontaminated groundwater, potable water line flushing, and firefighting water (§ 60-47(a)). Prohibited substances specifically named include petroleum oil and grease, anti-freeze and motor equipment fluids, paints and pesticides, animal waste and RV gray water, concrete-truck washdown water, and pet waste (§ 60-47(a)(2)).

Illicit physical connections to the storm drain system, including floor drains, washing-machine discharge, sanitary sewer tie-ins, and septic wastewater, are outright banned; owners of connections that predate the December 13, 2007 effective date had one year to remove them unless the connection posed an immediate hazard to health, safety, or the environment (§ 60-47(b)). Separately, § 60-46 bars the city manager from approving any development not in compliance with the city's NPDES Phase 2 permit or state administrative code, and bars any utility company from connecting electricity or water service to land that has not installed city-approved drainage or best-management-practice facilities.

Spills of polluting substances must be contained and reported immediately to the Concord Fire Chief; pet owners must immediately pick up pet waste rather than let it reach a storm drain (§ 60-47(f)). Enforcement runs through the Stormwater Administrator, who may enter property to inspect and sample under § 60-48(a), and may pursue civil penalties, injunctive relief, or refer criminal charges to the city attorney. Aggrieved permit holders or penalized parties may demand a hearing before the Stormwater Administrator within 30 days of the notice or penalty under § 60-49.