Huntington, NY Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Huntington Code Ch. 170, Art. I
- Adopted
- 12-4-2007 by L.L. No. 45-2007
- First-offense fine
- $500 to $5,000
- Third-offense penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to 6 months jail
- Enforcing officer
- Stormwater Management Officer (Director of Maritime Services)
- Spill notice deadline
- Next business day
Summary
Huntington bans dumping anything but stormwater into the Town's MS4 storm sewer system under Town Code Chapter 170, Article I. A first offense carries a fine of $500 to $5,000, rising to $1,000-$10,000 for a second offense and a misdemeanor with up to six months in jail for a third within five years.
§ 170-5. Illegal Discharges and Connections. A. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the Town's separate storm sewer system (MS4) any materials other than stormwater except as follows... § 170-19. Enforcement and Penalties. (A) For each violation of the provisions of this Article... the property owner, person in charge or in possession of or operator of the premises where such violation has been committed shall have committed an offense, and upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine of not less than five hundred ($500) dollars nor more than five thousand ($5,000) dollars for a first offense; upon conviction of a second offense within five (5) years of the first, a fine of not less than one thousand ($1,000) dollars nor more than ten thousand ($10,000) dollars; and upon conviction of a third or subsequent offense within five (5) years, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than one thousand five hundred ($1,500) dollars nor more than fifteen thousand ($15,000) dollars or imprisonment not to exceed six (6) months, or both.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940543; v75 updated 2026-06-09; through 06-09-2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 170, Article I of the Huntington Town Code, adopted December 4, 2007 by Local Law No. 45-2007, makes it unlawful for any person to discharge or cause to be discharged into the Town's municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) any material other than stormwater. Section 170-5 exempts a specific list of flows unless the Town or NYSDEC determines them to be a substantial pollutant contributor: water line flushing, landscape irrigation, uncontaminated ground water infiltration, foundation and footing drains, air conditioning condensate, individual residential car washing, dechlorinated swimming pool discharges, street wash water, and firefighting water.
Illicit connections to the MS4, including any pipe, hose or equipment tied into Town drains, catch basins, leaching pools or recharge basins, are separately prohibited under § 170-5(B), and a connection made in the past remains prohibited even if it was legal when installed. The Director of Maritime Services serves as the Stormwater Management Officer (SMO) who administers the Article, while the Director of Public Safety enforces the illicit-connection provisions and issues violations. Section 170-15 requires anyone who discovers a spill that may reach the MS4 to notify the Department of Maritime Services by the next business day, confirmed in writing within three business days, and to keep an on-site written record of any commercial or industrial discharge for at least three years.
The SMO can suspend or terminate a violator's access to the storm sewer system without prior notice when a discharge poses imminent danger, and a person cut off from the system can petition the Town Clerk in writing within five days for a Town Board hearing, accompanied by a $150 filing fee.
Violations & Fines
Section 170-19 sets a first-offense fine of $500 to $5,000, a second offense within five years at $1,000 to $10,000, and a third or subsequent offense within five years as a misdemeanor punishable by $1,500 to $15,000 or up to six months in jail, or both. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication may impose the same monetary ranges. The Town Attorney may also pursue civil penalties up to $500 per day plus injunctive relief and legal fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I legally discharge into a Huntington storm drain?
Who enforces Huntington's stormwater rules?
What happens if I spill something that could reach a storm drain?
Can the Town cut off my property's access to the storm sewer?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntington
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