Maui County, HI Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Maui County Code §§ 14.80-14.82
- Enacted by
- Ordinance No. 5749 (2024)
- Enforcing agency
- Department of Public Works
- Base penalty
- Up to $2,000 fine, 60-180 days jail
- Treble penalty
- Civil fine trebles County's regulatory fine
- Appeal window
- 28 days from notice
- Inspection authority
- Entry anytime; warrant if refused
Summary
Maui County prohibits any illicit discharge into its storm-drainage system under Chapter 14.80 through 14.82 of the County Code, enacted by Ordinance No. 5749 in 2024. The Department of Public Works, through its director, administers and enforces the rule against dumping, spills, and non-stormwater flows that could pollute streams, gulches, and the ocean, while carving out routine flows like irrigation runoff, pool draining, and firefighting water.
A.No person may cause or allow others to cause an illicit discharge into the storm-drainage system or any drainageway within the County. The commencement, conduct, or continuance of any illicit discharge to the storm-drainage system is prohibited except as allowed by appendix K of title 11, chapter 55, Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules, as amended, if they do not cause or contribute to any violation of water-quality standards. ... D.Any person who is found guilty of negligently, recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally violating this chapter in a manner that causes the County to be fined by any regulatory agency may be fined up to $2,000, sentenced to jail for no less than sixty days and no more than one hundred eighty days, or both.
Full Breakdown
The ordinance's stated purpose is to prohibit activities that may pollute stormwater discharges and non-stormwater discharges entering the County's storm-drainage system, tying its authority to the federal Clean Water Act and chapters 54 and 55 of title 11, Hawaii Administrative Rules. 010 makes it unlawful for any person to cause or allow an illicit discharge into the storm-drainage system or any drainageway, unless allowed under Appendix K of the state administrative rules and the discharge does not violate water-quality standards. The code lists 20 categories that are NOT illicit discharges, including water-line flushing, lawn-watering runoff, dechlorinated swimming-pool water, individual residential car washing, charity carwashes held no more than monthly and located at least 200 feet from a sensitive waterbody, and discharges under a valid NPDES permit.
Anyone who discovers a spill that could reach the storm-drainage system must immediately act to contain it, and must notify the Department of Public Works highways division for non-hazardous spills or call 911 for hazardous ones. 040, County inspectors may enter and inspect any regulated premises as often as necessary, and may obtain a search warrant if access is refused. 040.
Violations & Fines
A negligent, reckless, knowing, or intentional violation that causes the County itself to be fined by a regulatory agency triggers a civil fine trebling whatever fine the County paid, on top of a criminal penalty of up to $2,000 and 60 to 180 days in jail under section 14.82.010. Each calendar day a violation continues counts as a separate offense, and the County can bill the responsible party for abatement costs. Fine revenue is deposited into the County's highway fund for storm-drainage improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an illegal discharge under Maui County's stormwater rule?
Is washing my car at home against Maui's stormwater ordinance?
What happens if I don't report a chemical spill that reaches a storm drain?
Can Maui County inspectors enter my property to check for stormwater violations?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maui County
Compare Maui County to another location·View the Hawaii environmental rules overview
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