Owensboro, KY Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Owensboro Municipal Code § 26-351 adopts water quality and quantity parameters for all surface waters to guide stormwater runoff regulation on public and private developments, aiming to protect the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) and local water resources from degradation. Section 26-354, one of the ordinance's minimum control measures for illicit discharge detection, makes it unlawful to deposit solid waste, debris, yard waste, pollutants, wastewater, concrete, building materials, tires, appliances or animal carcasses into any open ditch, sewer, stormwater inlet, catch basin or manhole that is part of or drains into the MS4 or combined sewer system, or to create an illicit connection to the public storm sewer.

Enforcement under § 26-357 escalates through a notice of deficiency, then Notice of Violation Levels I, II and III, with Level II triggering a stop-work order and Level III triggering penalties. Section 26-359 sets those penalties: a criminal violation reaching NOV III is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 12 months, or both, with each 24-hour period of continuing violation a separate offense. A civil penalty up to $1,000 can also be assessed, payable within 20 days of citation, and the city may pursue legal or equitable remedies including injunctive relief.

Property owners who fail to abate a stormwater nuisance can also face a lien on their property recorded with the county clerk, bearing 12 percent annual interest until paid, under § 26-357(c). The city engineer's office administers permitting and inspections under § 26-353.