Maricopa, AZ Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- all new development in the city
- Retention type
- on-site, surface retention facilities
- Reviewed by
- city engineering division
- Tied to
- Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
- Related rule
- subdivision drainage duty, MCC § 17.30.100
Summary
New development in Maricopa must provide on-site storm water retention as a required public facility improvement, and the city treats retention as central to flood control and to meeting Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements.
D. Storm Water Retention Required. Storm water retention is an integral component of the city’s storm water management program and compliance with Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements. Due to limitations of discharge outlets, on-site retention is a high priority element for a successful program to minimize flooding and related property damage.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-10, passed April 21, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under MCC § 18.85.040, adequate sanitary sewer, storm drainage, and water system facilities must be provided by the developer concurrent with any development, with an approved grading and drainage plan required from the engineering division before development approval. Storm water retention facilities are allowed on the surface of the land, and the code labels on-site retention a high-priority element of the city's storm water program because of limited discharge outlets, aimed at minimizing flooding and property damage while keeping the city compliant with Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) rules. A companion subdivision standard, MCC § 17.30.100, separately requires proper and adequate provisions for storm water disposal on both private grading and public streets.
Violations & Fines
No construction permit issues for public facility improvements, and no development or grading approval proceeds, until the city engineer approves a grading and drainage plan meeting these storm drainage and retention standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Maricopa require on-site storm water retention for new development?
Who signs off on a drainage plan in Maricopa?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maricopa
Compare Maricopa to another location·View the Arizona environmental rules overview
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