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Parma, OH Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Enforcing agency
City Engineer, Div. of Engineering
Civil fine
$300 per day (938.14(e))
Criminal penalty
4th-degree misdemeanor (938.99)
Appeal window
14 days from notice of violation
Governing chapter
Codified Ordinances Ch. 938
Program purpose
Ohio EPA NPDES MS4 permit compliance

Summary

Parma bans discharging anything but storm water into the city's storm drain system or watercourses under Codified Ordinances Chapter 938. The City Engineer administers the program under Ohio EPA's MS4 permit, can suspend a violator's storm drain access without notice in an emergency, and issues notices of violation carrying a $300-per-day civil fine on top of criminal penalties.

No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the municipal 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 storm water.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-30: Local legislation current to August 3, 2026 | State legislation current to June 25, 2025).

Full Breakdown

07(a)). 07(b)). A short exemption list covers routine sources such as water line flushing, individual residential vehicle washing, air conditioning condensation and firefighting flows, but the City Engineer or Ohio EPA can revoke any exemption found to be a significant pollutant contributor. 10). 08). 14(e)). 15). 17). 99).

Violations & Fines

Illicit discharges and connections to the storm system are prosecuted as a fourth-degree misdemeanor under 938.99, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate offense. The City Engineer can also issue a civil notice of violation carrying a $300-per-day administrative fine (938.14(e)), suspend MS4 access without notice in an emergency (938.08(a)), and bill the owner for the city's cleanup costs, which become a lien on the property if unpaid (938.17).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wash my car in my driveway in Parma?
Yes. Section 938.07(a)(1) exempts individual residential vehicle washing, along with water line flushing, air conditioning condensation and firefighting flows, from the illegal discharge ban, unless the City or Ohio EPA determines the runoff is a significant source of pollutants to the storm system.
What happens if the City Engineer issues a notice of violation?
The notice can order you to stop the discharge, eliminate an illicit connection, and pay a civil fine of $300 per day under 938.14(e). You have 14 days to appeal to the Director of Public Service, who must hold a hearing within 15 days of receiving the appeal.
Who enforces Parma's stormwater rules?
The City Engineer administers Chapter 938 under authority delegated by the Service Director, and can inspect facilities, install monitoring equipment, suspend a violator's access to the storm drain system, and refer criminal violations for prosecution as a fourth-degree misdemeanor under 938.99.
Can the city shut off my storm drain access without warning?
Yes, in an emergency. Section 938.08(a) lets the City Engineer suspend MS4 access without prior notice when a discharge presents imminent danger to the environment or public health; non-emergency suspensions require notice and a chance to petition for a hearing.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Parma

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsFlood Elevation RequirementsSome RestrictionsFlood ZonesHeavy RestrictionsErosion ControlSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Smoke DetectorsSome Restrictions

All Parma rules

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