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Howard County, MD Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section: Howard County Code § 18.502
Enforcing office: Director, Department of Public Works
Exempt discharges: Irrigation, AC condensate, firefighting, NPDES flows
Illicit connection defined: §18.501(f), undocumented drain tie-in
Emergency power: Director may enter, repair without prior notice

Summary

Howard County Code § 18.502 makes it unlawful to discharge any pollutant into a storm drain or waterway, or to build or keep an illicit connection into the storm drainage system. The Director of Public Works can order violators to stop, and the County can seek a court order for entry, repairs, and cost recovery if a violator refuses.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Howard County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(a)Prohibited Discharges. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person shall not discharge or cause or allow to be discharged any pollutant or nonstormwater discharge into a storm drainage facility or waterway which shall contaminate or otherwise alter the physical, chemical, or biological properties of any water conveyed to a storm drainage facility including, without limitation, a change in the temperature, taste, color, turbidity, or odor.(c)Prohibited Illicit Connections. A person shall not construct, use, maintain, or allow the continued existence of an illicit connection.(d)Remedies:(1)Written notice. The Director shall provide written notice to the owner, tenant, licensee, or any other person causing or permitting a prohibited discharge or illicit connection to cease the prohibited discharge or illicit connection or to remove the illicit connection.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 91 | Zoning: Supplement 25).

Full Breakdown

502(a) prohibits a person from discharging or allowing "any pollutant or nonstormwater discharge into a storm drainage facility or waterway which shall contaminate or otherwise alter the physical, chemical, or biological properties of any water," covering changes in temperature, taste, color, turbidity, or odor. Subsection (b) exempts a defined list of low-risk flows, including waterline flushing, landscape irrigation, diverted stream flows, uncontaminated groundwater infiltration, air conditioning condensate, individual residential vehicle washing, dechlorinated swimming pool discharges, and firefighting activities, along with any discharge already covered by an NPDES permit.

" Enforcement runs through the Director of Public Works: subsection (d) requires written notice by personal service or certified mail (or posting on the property if service fails) directing the violator to stop the discharge or remove the connection within a stated time. If the violator ignores that notice, the Director can petition the court for an order allowing County entry to make repairs and recover the cost, and if the discharge threatens public health or safety, the Director may enter and make emergency repairs without prior notice, then seek a court order assessing the cost against the responsible party. that apply to new development.

Violations & Fines

Ignoring a Director's written notice to stop a prohibited discharge or remove an illicit connection exposes a property owner, tenant, or licensee to a County petition for a court order authorizing entry, repair, and full cost recovery. Section 18.502(d)(4) adds that these remedies come "in addition to and concurrent with any other remedies the County may have in law or equity," including the criminal and civil penalties set out for the subtitle in § 18.507.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be cited for dumping something into a Howard County storm drain?

Yes. Section 18.502(a) prohibits discharging any pollutant or nonstormwater flow into a storm drainage facility or waterway that alters its temperature, color, turbidity, or odor. Everyday exceptions exist, such as landscape irrigation runoff, air conditioning condensate, and firefighting water, listed in subsection (b), but most other discharges require an NPDES permit.

What is an illicit connection under Howard County's stormwater code?

Section 18.501(f) defines it as a drain or conveyance that lets a prohibited discharge reach a storm drain or waterway, or one that has never been documented in a plan or map approved by the Department of Public Works. Section 18.502(c) bans constructing, using, or maintaining any illicit connection.

What can Howard County do if I ignore a stormwater violation notice?

The Director of Public Works can petition the court for an order allowing County entry to make the necessary repairs and to recover those costs from the responsible party. If the discharge threatens public health or safety, the Director may skip the notice period entirely, make emergency repairs, and seek reimbursement afterward under § 18.502(d).

Sources & Official References

[1]Howard County Code § 18.502, Prohibited discharges and illicit connections

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