Las Vegas, NV Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governs
- Discharges into the City's MS4
- Illicit discharge
- Banned unless specifically exempted
- Civil penalty
- $1,000-$25,000 per day
- Administrative penalty
- $500-$10,000 per day
- Enforced by
- Director of Public Works
Summary
Las Vegas bans dumping anything but clean stormwater into its storm drains, with the Director of Public Works enforcing NPDES permit and BMP requirements citywide.
It is unlawful for any person to discharge or cause to be discharged into the MS4 any non-stormwater, unless the discharge has been authorized by NDEP and approved by the Director, or is one of the following:(1)Water line flushing; discharges from other potable water sources; landscape irrigation or lawn watering; diverted stream flows; rising groundwater...non-commercial washing of vehicles...or any other water source not containing pollutants, provided that NDEP has not determined the source to be a substantial contributors of pollutants.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 61).
Full Breakdown
Under LVMC Chapter 14.18, it's unlawful to discharge non-stormwater into the City's municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) unless the discharge is specifically exempted (irrigation runoff, AC condensation, non-commercial car washing, firefighting flows) or authorized by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and the Director of Public Works. Construction sites disturbing an acre or more must use best management practices to control erosion and sediment, and industrial sites are subject to inspection.
Violations & Fines
Civil penalties run $1,000-$25,000 per day per violation (14.18.170); administrative penalties run $500-$10,000 per day (14.18.180); the Director can also suspend a property's MS4 access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hose paint or chemicals into a Las Vegas street storm drain?
Who enforces stormwater rules in Las Vegas?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Las Vegas
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Clark County handle stormwater management.