Haverhill, MA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Chapter 219, Stormwater Management, applies under § 219-4 to all construction, development and redevelopment activities that disturb one acre or more of land, including smaller disturbances that are part of a larger common plan, when the project discharges stormwater runoff to the City's municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). Section 219-6 lists regulated activities: new development, redevelopment, multi-phase projects on discontinuous schedules that together exceed an acre, and any other acre-plus alteration that increases runoff onto a roadway, the MS4, or a neighboring parcel. Section 219-8 requires a stormwater management permit (SMP) before any land disturbance begins; the applicant must file three paper copies and one electronic copy with the Director of Public Works, including a stormwater management plan, an erosion and sedimentation control plan, and an operation and maintenance plan, plus a list of abutters and the review fee.

The Director has 90 days to act under § 219-8E or the application is deemed approved. Design work must meet the Massachusetts Stormwater Management Standards under § 219-9, targeting 90% removal of total suspended solids and 60% removal of total phosphorus for new development. Enforcement runs through the Director under §§ 219-14 through 219-18, who can issue notices of violation, perform abatement work and bill the responsible party, or seek injunctive relief. Section 219-19 sets the noncriminal penalty schedule: a written warning for a first violation, $50 for a second, $100 for a third, and $150 for the fourth and later offenses, with each day of continuing violation counted separately. Decisions of the Director are final except for review in court.