Norfolk County, MA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- County Rule?
- None. MS4 municipal permit
- Federal
- EPA MA MS4 General Permit (2016)
- State
- 310 CMR 10.05, MGL c. 131 §40
- Watersheds
- Neponset, Charles, Monatiquot
- Owner Maintenance
- Required for systems
Summary
Norfolk County does not administer stormwater programs. All Norfolk County towns are EPA MS4 permittees, enforcing stormwater standards under 310 CMR 10.05 (Wetlands) and town stormwater bylaws.
Section 40. No person shall remove, fill, dredge or alter any bank, riverfront area, fresh water wetland, coastal wetland, beach, dune, flat, marsh, meadow or swamp bordering on the ocean or on any estuary, creek, river, stream, pond, or lake, or any land under said waters or any land subject to tidal action, coastal storm flowage, or flooding, other than in the course of maintaining, repairing or replacing, but not substantially changing or enlarging, an existing and lawfully located structure or facility used in the service of the public and used to provide electric, gas, sewer, water, telep
Full Breakdown
Stormwater management in Norfolk County is municipal, shaped by state and federal rules. All Norfolk County towns are MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permittees under EPA's 2016 MA MS4 General Permit: requiring local stormwater bylaws, illicit discharge prohibition, and construction runoff controls. MassDEP Stormwater Standards (310 CMR 10.05(6)(k)) apply to work within Wetlands Protection Act jurisdiction (100 ft of wetlands, 200 ft of perennial streams). Typical local rules require stormwater management plans for projects disturbing 1+ acre or adding 1+ acre impervious. Low-impact development (rain gardens, permeable pavers, bioswales) encouraged. Many Norfolk County towns (Brookline, Dedham, Weymouth) have comprehensive stormwater bylaws. Norfolk County's Neponset River, Charles River, and Monatiquot River watersheds face elevated scrutiny.
Violations & Fines
No county enforcement. Municipal stormwater plan failure: stop-work order, $100-$5,000/day. Illicit discharge under MS4 permit and Clean Water Act: up to $50,000/day federal. MA Wetlands violations: up to $25,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical penalties for violating stormwater rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Norfolk County
Compare Norfolk County to another location·View the Massachusetts environmental rules overview
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