St. Lucie County, FL Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing article
- St. Lucie County Code §§ 20-139-20-211
- NPDES trigger
- 1 acre or more of land disturbance
- Enforcing office
- County engineer / authorized enforcement agency
- Emergency reporting
- 911 immediately for hazardous releases
- Non-hazardous reporting window
- Next business day, written confirmation in 3 days
- Record retention
- 3 years for commercial/industrial dischargers
Summary
St. Lucie County regulates what can enter its municipal separate storm sewer system under Article VI of the county code. The county prohibits illicit discharges and connections to the MS4, requires NPDES permits for land-disturbing construction of one acre or more, and lets the county engineer inspect, sample, and order cleanup of polluted stormwater.
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the county separate storm sewer system or watercourses any materials, including, but not limited to, pollutants or waters containing any pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards, other than stormwater. The commencement, conduct or continuance of any illegal discharge to the storm drain system is prohibited, except as follows: (1)The following discharges are exempt from discharge prohibitions established by this article: water line flushing or other potable water sources, landscape irrigation or lawn watering, diverted stream flows, rising groundwater, groundwater infiltration to storm drains, uncontaminated pumped groundwater, foundation or footing drains (not including active groundwater dewatering systems), crawl space pumps, air conditioning condensation, springs, noncommercial washing of vehicles, natural riparian habitat or wetland flows, de-chlorinated swimming pools (less than one PPM chlorine), firefighting activities, and any other water source not containing pollutants.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32 | Land Development Code: Supplement 36).
Full Breakdown
Article VI of the county code, sections 20-139 through 20-211, governs stormwater entering the county's municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). Section 20-142 requires an NPDES Stormwater Phase II permit before construction that disturbs one acre or more, including clearing, grading, excavating, or demolition, and the permit holder must give the county engineer proof of coverage before work begins. Section 20-205 bars discharging anything but stormwater into the county's storm sewers or watercourses, though it exempts specific low-risk sources such as potable water line flushing, landscape irrigation runoff, non-commercial vehicle washing, and de-chlorinated pool water under one PPM chlorine.
Section 20-206 separately bans illicit physical connections to the storm drain system, including sewage lines, even ones made legally in the past. Section 20-210 places an ongoing duty on any property owner whose land a watercourse crosses to keep that channel free of trash, debris, and obstructions that would pollute the water or cause flooding elsewhere. Anyone discovering a hazardous release must call 911 immediately under section 20-143; a non-hazardous release must reach the county engineer by the next business day and be confirmed in writing within three business days, with records kept three years by commercial or industrial dischargers. The county engineer administers the article under section 20-141 and may inspect property with consent, or a warrant if refused, under section 20-144.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliance triggers a written notice of violation under section 20-145, which can order a stop-work order, cleanup, or best-management-practice fixes. Uncorrected violations proceed to code enforcement under chapter 1, article II. The county can also suspend MS4 access without notice for an imminent discharge threat under section 20-208, and violating section 20-147 is itself an offense independent of any other remedy the county pursues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an illegal discharge to St. Lucie County's storm drains?
When do I need an NPDES permit for construction in unincorporated St. Lucie County?
Who has to report a spill that could reach the storm drain system?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Lucie County
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