Conroe, TX Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Article VIII of Chapter 26 regulates the city's municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). Section 26-197 bars intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or negligently discharging anything into the storm drain system that violates water quality standards, with narrow exceptions such as landscape irrigation, pool draining and firefighting water, and separately bars illicit physical connections to the MS4. Section 26-198 requires anyone disturbing one acre or more of land, alone or as part of a common development, to obtain a stormwater permit from the director before starting work and to submit a stormwater quality plan prepared or approved by a Texas-licensed professional engineer describing best management practices for erosion and sediment control.

Sites of five acres or more that trigger a state or federal SWP3 requirement must also keep that plan on site. Permits are valid for one year, automatically expire, and construction must start within six months of issuance or the permit is void. 5 inches or more, keeping inspection reports on file. A site that sits idle for 14 continuous days without proper closure is itself a violation unless the operator shows the pause is temporary and the site is stabilized. The director can issue a stop work order under § 26-198(a)(3) that halts all activity, bars further permit approvals, and stays in effect until corrected deficiencies are inspected and cleared.