Hutto, TX Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- General rule
- Only stormwater may enter Hutto's MS4
- Coverage
- City limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction
- Standard fine
- Up to $500 per violation, per day
- Intentional/reckless fine
- Up to $2,000 per violation, per day
- Reconsideration window
- 7 days to petition the director
- Also treated as
- A public nuisance under § 24.08.022
Summary
The City of Hutto bans any discharge that isn't entirely stormwater into its municipal storm sewer system, citywide and across its extraterritorial jurisdiction. A discharger who violates the rule faces up to a $500-per-day fine, or $2,000 per day if the violation is intentional or reckless.
(a) General prohibition.No person within the city limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction of the city shall introduce, cause to be introduced, discharge, or cause to be discharged into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) or any conveyances any discharge that is not composed entirely of stormwater. Such prohibition includes commencement of any illicit discharge into the MS4 or any conveyances, and continuation of any illicit discharge into the MS4 or any conveyances. ... (a) A discharger that violates any provision of this article 24.08, or any order issued hereunder, commits an offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00 per violation, per day, or any greater fine authorized by state statute. Proof of a culpable mental state is not required for conviction of an offense under this subsection.
Full Breakdown
Article 24.08 of the Hutto Code of Ordinances, the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Regulations, implements the city's Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permit obligations. Section 24.08.009(a) states the general prohibition: no person within city limits or the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction may introduce or cause to be introduced any discharge into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) or its conveyances that is not composed entirely of stormwater, covering both starting and continuing an illicit discharge. Section 24.08.009(b) allows narrow affirmative defenses, such as discharges from emergency firefighting, permitted street sweeping and washing, and water-line flushing under specified chlorine limits.
Section 24.08.010 lists specific banned substances, including garbage, trash or yard waste and pressure-treated or painted wood. The director of public works administers the article and can respond with verbal warnings, written notices of violation, compliance orders, stop-work orders, or disconnection from the MS4 under section 24.08.019, and a discharger has seven days to petition the director for reconsideration under section 24.08.020. Any condition violating the article is also declared a public nuisance under section 24.08.022, subject to summary abatement at the violator's expense. Watercourse owners have an independent duty under section 24.08.008 to keep watercourses on their property free of trash, debris and obstacles that would pollute or retard flow.
Violations & Fines
Section 24.08.023(a) makes a stormwater violation an offense punishable by a fine of up to $500.00 per violation, per day, with no culpable mental state required. If the violation is intentional, knowing, reckless or criminally negligent, the fine rises to up to $2,000.00 per violation, per day under section 24.08.023(b). Falsifying required monitoring records or tampering with monitoring devices carries the same $2,000 per-day maximum under section 24.08.023(c). The city can also pursue civil injunctive relief under section 24.08.021.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can't go into Hutto's storm drains?
How much is the fine for a stormwater violation in Hutto?
Can I challenge a stormwater enforcement order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hutto
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Williamson County handle stormwater management.