Midland, TX Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Midland Code § 11-12, Stormwater Management
- Core rule
- Only stormwater may enter the MS4
- Administrator
- City's Stormwater Administrator
- Hazardous spill duty
- Call 911 and notify Fire Dept immediately
- Construction trigger
- 1 acre or more requires TPDES NOI, 7 days prior
- Max fine
- $2,000.00 per day, § 11-12-7(B)
Summary
Midland bans dumping anything but stormwater into its municipal storm drain system, under a Stormwater Management Code that runs its own inspections, spill reporting duties, and criminal penalties separate from TCEQ's state permit program.
(A)General prohibition.1.No person may dispose of, or release, or introduce or cause to be introduced into the MS4 a Discharge that is not composed entirely of Stormwater. ... (B)Penalties. Each violation of this Chapter or of any order or ruling promulgated hereunder shall constitute a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000.00, and each day a violation continues to exist shall constitute a separate offense.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 11-12 implements the City's TPDES Small MS4 General Permit obligations locally. Section 11-12-3(A)1 makes the core prohibition explicit: "No person may dispose of, or release, or introduce or cause to be introduced into the MS4 a Discharge that is not composed entirely of Stormwater," with narrow affirmative defenses for things like potable water line flushing, uncontaminated groundwater, and emergency firefighting flows. Section 11-12-3(B)3 separately bans specific substances outright, including motor vehicle fluids, industrial and hazardous waste, grease and grit trap waste, and concrete washout water.
The Stormwater Administrator or a designated representative has statutory authority to enter and inspect private property and equipment related to stormwater discharges during normal working hours, or to seek a court order if entry is refused (§ 11-12-4). Anyone discharging a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance must call 911 and notify the Fire Department and the Stormwater Administrator immediately; non-hazardous releases must be reported by the next business day (§ 11-12-5(A)). Construction sites of one acre or more must submit a signed TPDES notice of intent at least seven days before work starts and maintain erosion and sediment controls, cleaned or repaired once capacity drops by half (§ 11-12-8).
New developments and redevelopments of an acre or more must meet the City's Storm Drainage Design Manual and dedicate a drainage and stormwater easement for any structural control such as a detention basin (§ 11-12-10). Appeals of the Administrator's decisions go to the City Manager within 14 days, with a hearing set within 21 days (§ 11-12-11).
Violations & Fines
Each violation of Chapter 11-12 or any related order is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,000.00, with each day of continued violation a separate offense (§ 11-12-7(B)). The City can also seek injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent, restrain, correct, or abate any violation (§ 11-12-7(A)), and may deny building permits, plats, or site plan approvals where erosion or pollutant controls are found insufficient during a construction-site inspection (§ 11-12-8(G)).
Frequently Asked Questions
What can and can't go into Midland's storm drains?
Who enforces Midland's stormwater rules and can they inspect my property?
What do I have to do if I spill something into a storm drain in Midland?
What's the penalty for violating Midland's stormwater ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Midland
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