Phoenix, AZ Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- City Code Chapter 32C
- Criminal penalty
- Class 1 misdemeanor, per day
- Civil penalty
- Up to $2,500 per violation/day
- Stormwater plan
- Required for nonresidential/fee-based activity
- Enforced by
- City Manager via inspections
Summary
Phoenix bans releasing anything but stormwater into public storm drains, rights-of-way, or retention basins, treating unauthorized discharges of pollutants or significant materials as a public nuisance under City Code Chapter 32C.
A. A person may not use, store, treat or dispose of stormwater, pollutants, or significant materials in a manner that creates a public nuisance as defined in Section 32C-102. B. A person may not release to a publicly owned right-of-way, retention or detention basin, or public storm drain system any substance that is not composed entirely of stormwater, except for the following: 1. Releases pursuant to a NPDES/AZPDES permit; 2. Releases resulting from emergency firefighting activities...
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance G-7524, passed June 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code Chapter 32C, Stormwater Quality Protection, makes it a public nuisance to release anything other than stormwater into the public storm drain system, street rights-of-way, or retention and detention basins, and bars unauthorized direct connections to storm drains. Narrow exceptions cover things like landscape irrigation, air conditioning condensate, dechlorinated pool water, individual residential car washing, and emergency firefighting runoff. Businesses, and fee-based activities on residential property, with a reasonable potential to affect stormwater quality or volume must prepare and submit a written Stormwater Management Plan. The City Manager enforces the chapter through inspections, notices of violation, and civil or criminal penalties.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 32C is a Class 1 misdemeanor, with each day of violation a separate offense, and the City Manager can also pursue a civil sanction of up to $2,500 per violation per day in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Maricopa County handle stormwater management.