Erie, PA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Ordinance No. 20-2004, Article 946
- Plan trigger
- 5,000+ sq ft disturbance needs DEP plan
- Small-site rule
- Under 5,000 sq ft: Bureau of Engineering
- Construction permit
- DEP NPDES PAG-2 General Permit required
- Roof drains
- No storm sewer hookup without City Engineer OK
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine or 90 days jail
- BMP recording
- File O&M plan within 15 days of approval
Summary
Erie regulates stormwater runoff and land-disturbing construction under Article 946, the Stormwater Quality Management Ordinance. Earth disturbance of 5,000 square feet or more triggers a DEP Erosion and Sediment Control Plan and NPDES permit; smaller disturbances fall under the Bureau of Engineering. Illegal discharges into the storm sewer and unapproved roof-drain connections are banned citywide.
No person in the Municipality shall allow, or cause to allow, stormwater discharges into the Municipality's separate storm sewer system which are not composed entirely of stormwater, except as provided in Subsection (a)(2) below, and discharges allowed under a state or federal permit. ... Any person violating the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a summary offense, and upon conviction shall be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 for each violation, recoverable with costs, or imprisonment of not more than 90 days, or both. Each day the violation continues shall be a separate offense.
Full Breakdown
Article 946 (Ordinance No. 20-2004, passed 3-10-2004) requires that no Regulated Earth Disturbance activity commence until the Municipality approves plans meeting state water-quality requirements. 10(c)(2), any earth disturbance of 5,000 square feet or more needs a DEP-compliant Erosion and Sediment Control Plan under 25 Pa. 4(b); disturbances below that threshold are instead governed by the rules of the City of Erie Bureau of Engineering. A DEP NPDES 'Construction Activities' permit, or coverage under the statewide General Permit PAG-2, is also required before work begins. 14 prohibits discharging anything other than stormwater into the Municipality's separate storm sewer system, though it carves out named exceptions such as firefighting water, dechlorinated pool discharges, individual residential car washing, lawn watering, and air conditioning condensate.
Roof drains may not be connected to streets, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, or roadside ditches unless the City Engineer authorizes or requires the connection to prevent harm to a property or the public; otherwise roof drains must discharge to infiltration areas or vegetative BMPs to the maximum extent practicable. 11(d). 15(c) for noncompliance.
Violations & Fines
Section 946.15(a) deems any violation of Article 946 a public nuisance, with each day of continued violation counted as a separate offense. The Municipality can order compliance by written notice requiring monitoring, elimination of prohibited connections, cessation of violating discharges, or restoration of affected property. Section 946.16 makes a violation a summary offense punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 per violation plus costs, or imprisonment of up to 90 days, or both, with each day a separate offense; the City Solicitor may also seek injunctive or mandamus relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a stormwater permit for a small backyard project in Erie?
Can I connect my roof drain to Erie's storm sewer?
Is it legal to wash my car and let the water run into the street in Erie?
What happens if I violate Erie's stormwater ordinance?
Sources & Official References
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