Framingham, MA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Framingham Zoning Code § 435-33A(1) states the primary purpose of the land disturbance and stormwater management (LDSM) section: ensuring the City complies with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit for small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) issued by the EPA, and with the Stormwater Management Standards promulgated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Under § 435-33C(1)(b), stormwater generated on a covered project cannot be directed toward sensitive areas, wetlands or habitats, nor permitted to sheet-flow in a way that causes erosion and sedimentation movement.

Section 435-33D(5) sets the performance standard the Planning Board checks before approval: the project as designed must not increase the rate, concentration or velocity of runoff from the site, and there must be no adverse impact to abutting properties from any change in stormwater volume, including erosion, silting, flooding, sedimentation, subsidence, or impacts to wetlands, groundwater, septic systems or wells. The Planning Board is the special permit granting authority for LDSM review, and the same § 435-33B(1) triggers described for erosion control (disturbance of an acre or more, tree clearing over 50% of a lot, or work near moderate slopes) apply here since stormwater and erosion review run through the same section. Compliance also has to meet DPW's own stormwater/erosion regulations layered on top of the state and federal standards under § 435-33D(2).