Corvallis, OR Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

The City of Corvallis adopted its Urban Stormwater Quality Management and Discharge Control Ordinance in Chapter 4.04 of the Municipal Code, effective under Ordinance 2010-15. Section 4.04.030.010 flatly prohibits discharging or causing to be discharged into the municipal storm drainage system or watercourses any pollutants or waters containing pollutants, with a specific list of exemptions such as landscape irrigation runoff, potable water line flushing, residential car washing, uncontaminated foundation drain water, and emergency firefighting discharge. Section 4.04.030.020 separately bans constructing, connecting to, or maintaining any illegal connection to the storm drainage system, including sewage or industrial waste lines, whether the connection was made recently or decades ago.

The Public Works Director administers and enforces Chapter 4.04 under Section 4.04.010.060, with authority under Section 4.04.050 to inspect premises and under Section 4.04.060 to order monitoring and reporting from anyone suspected of contributing to stormwater pollution. Anyone who discovers a release must contain and clean it up immediately under Section 4.04.070, and notify the Public Works Director, or the Police non-emergency line after hours, under Section 4.04.080. Penalties escalate by intent: Section 4.04.090.080 sets fines of not less than $100 nor more than $20,000 per violation for a negligent violation, treated as a Municipal Code infraction, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense; an intentional or knowing violation is a misdemeanor carrying the same fine range plus up to 30 days in jail per violation, and a violation that gets the City itself fined by a regulatory agency can treble the City's fine or bring 60 to 180 days in jail. Violators may appeal a notice of violation to the Hearings Officer within 10 calendar days under Section 4.04.090.040.