Novi, MI Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 12-97
- Enforcing officer
- code enforcement officer / public works director
- Illicit connections
- banned regardless of when made
- Pool water exemption
- dechlorinated, 1-3 family homes only
- Penalty type
- municipal civil infraction
- Unpaid abatement cost
- becomes a property tax lien
Summary
In the City of Novi, no one may discharge anything but stormwater into the storm drain system or watercourses, and illicit connections to the storm sewer are prohibited outright, even ones made before the rule existed. The code enforcement officer and director of public works administer the ban under City Code Article IV, Chapter 12.
(a)Prohibition of illegal discharges. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the storm drain system or watercourses, any materials, including, but not limited to, pollutants or waters containing any pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards, other than stormwater. The commencement, conduct or continuance of any illegal discharge to the storm drain system is prohibited ... (b)Prohibition of illicit connections.(1)The construction, use, maintenance or continued existence of illicit connections to the storm drain system is prohibited.
Full Breakdown
Novi's Illicit Discharge Elimination Program, Chapter 12, Article IV, bans discharging any material other than stormwater into the storm drain system or watercourses under Sec. 12-97(a), with narrow carve-outs for firefighting flows, dye testing, NPDES-permitted discharges, potable water line flushing, non-commercial car washing and dechlorinated pool water from a one-, two- or three-family residence only; larger pools need an NPDES permit from MDEQ before discharging. Illicit connections to the storm sewer are banned under Sec. 12-97(b) regardless of when they were made or whether they were once permitted, and direct dumping into the municipal separate storm sewer system is banned under Sec.
12-97(c). The city's code enforcement officer, acting at the direction of the director of public works, enforces the article under Sec. 12-95 and may enter any property to inspect, sample and test suspected discharges under Sec. 12-98; refusing reasonable access is itself a violation. In an emergency the code enforcement officer can seek immediate injunctive relief to suspend a violator's storm sewer access under Sec. 12-99. Under Sec. 12-104, the city can issue a notice of violation requiring monitoring, elimination of the connection, cessation of the discharge, remediation of affected property and payment of a fine.
If the violator misses the remediation deadline, the city may complete the work itself and recover the cost as a lien on the property under Sec. 12-105, collectible on the delinquent tax roll like unpaid taxes.
Violations & Fines
A violation of the discharge prohibitions is a municipal civil infraction under Sec. 12-104(c), tied to the general civil infraction penalty in Sec. 1-11 of the Code. Beyond a fine, the city can order elimination of an illicit connection, cessation of a discharge, and restoration of affected property; unpaid abatement costs become a special assessment and lien on the property, collectible with the city's delinquent taxes under Sec. 12-105.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drain my pool into the street or storm drain in Novi?
Who enforces Novi's stormwater discharge rules?
What happens if I don't fix an illegal storm drain connection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Novi
Compare Novi to another location·View the Michigan environmental rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Oakland County handle stormwater management.