Hartford, CT Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Runoff standard
- Cannot exceed pre-development peak rates
- Design manuals required
- CT DOT + CT Stormwater Quality Manual
- Plan trigger
- Required with most zoning permits
- Citation
- Zoning Regulations § 6.14.2
Summary
No Hartford zoning permit, including for a parking lot, can allow untreated runoff to discharge directly into waterways, peak storm flows that exceed pre-development rates, or more than minimal disturbance of natural drainage patterns.
A.Basic Requirements. In no case shall a zoning permit, including a zoning permit for a parking lot, allow the following:(1)Direct channeling of untreated surface water runoff into adjacent ground and surface waters.(2)Peak runoff discharge rates from 2, 10, 25, and 100-year storms to exceed the corresponding pre-development peak discharge rates.(3)Disturbance of pre-development natural hydrologic conditions other than in a minimal way, unless absolutely necessary or unless pre-development conditions are restored post-development.
Full Breakdown
Zoning Regulations § 6.14.2 bars the zoning administrator from issuing any zoning permit, parking lot permits included, that would let a project discharge untreated stormwater directly into adjacent waters, exceed pre-development peak runoff rates for the 2-, 10-, 25-, and 100-year storms, or disturb pre-development drainage patterns beyond a minimal amount without restoring them. Projects must design stormwater systems to the Connecticut DOT Drainage Manual and Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual, and most non-exempt projects seeking a zoning permit must submit a stormwater management plan reviewed against these criteria before approval (§ 6.14.2.B-C).
Violations & Fines
A zoning permit issued in violation of these stormwater limits, or site work that departs from the approved plan, is a zoning violation: the city can revoke the permit, stop work, and fine up to $250/day (§ 1.4.2, § 1.4.6).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hartford require a stormwater plan for new development?
Can a Hartford project increase runoff onto neighboring property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hartford
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