Kalamazoo, MI Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Kalamazoo City Code Chapter 29 bars anyone from discharging a pollutant, directly or indirectly, into the City's stormwater system except under an approved NPDES permit, a compliance plan, or recognized best management practices (§ 29-4A(1)). The same section bans improperly storing or applying pollutants so they wash into storm drains, and separately bars placing material in or around catch basins, inlets, manholes, culverts or pipes that significantly obstructs flow, though leaf and brush pickups run by the City itself are exempted (§ 29-4A(4)). Certain flows are carved out as not illicit, including dechlorinated residential pool discharge under 0.5 ppm chlorine outside heavy rain, foundation and sump pump drainage, and noncommercial car washing runoff.

Connecting to the storm system also requires a permit from the Department of Public Services, Engineering Division (§ 29-4B). The Department investigates violations and can issue a written notice of violation requiring cleanup, cessation, remediation, cost reimbursement, or BMP implementation; the recipient may appeal to the Department Director within 30 days, and the Director must rule within another 30 days. The Department can suspend a violator's MS4 discharge access after 10 uncured days of written notice, or immediately if the discharge is an imminent danger. Every violation is independently declared a public nuisance subject to abatement at the violator's expense.