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Montgomery County, TX Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Some Restrictions

Verified 1 month ago|Source: Montgomery County Engineer →

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Key Facts

MS4 Permit: TCEQ TPDES regulated
Detention Standard: 100-year pre-dev release
Post-Harvey: 500-yr freeboard critical
Conroe Threshold: 10,000 sq ft disturbed
Illicit Discharge: Up to $25k/day

City-specific rules exist: Conroe has its own stormwater management rules that differ from Montgomery County's county-level regulations. If you live in Conroe, check the city-specific page instead.

Summary

Montgomery County enforces stormwater management under its MS4 permit with TCEQ. Post-Harvey 2017 rules increased detention and floodplain standards. Conroe and The Woodlands have strict drainage criteria for development.

Full Breakdown

Montgomery County is a TCEQ-regulated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) operator under federal Clean Water Act authority. The county's drainage criteria manual requires detention for developments over 1 acre: typical standard is to detain the 100-year storm and release at pre-development rates. After Hurricane Harvey (2017), San Jacinto River Basin standards tightened — Conroe and The Woodlands require freeboard above 500-year flood elevations for critical facilities. Conroe Code Ch. 78 mandates stormwater plans for any site over 10,000 sq ft disturbed area. Woodlands Township coordinates with Montgomery County Engineer on regional detention. Lake Conroe dam operations by SJRA affect downstream drainage. Illicit discharges (paint wash, concrete slurry, oil) to storm drains prohibited under TCEQ TPDES permit and carry substantial penalties. Harvey Flood Mitigation Bond funded regional detention projects.

Violations & Fines

No-plan construction: stop-work order plus $250 to $2,000/day Conroe. Illicit storm drain discharge: TCEQ penalties up to $25,000/day. Detention maintenance failures: county notice, $100 to $1,000, abatement liens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a stormwater plan to add a driveway?

Small residential additions typically fall below Conroe's 10,000 sq ft threshold. Larger projects or new construction trigger stormwater detention requirements.

Who enforces stormwater rules in Montgomery County?

Montgomery County's code enforcement division is responsible for environmental ordinances. You can report violations or request information through the Montgomery County government website or by calling the main municipal line.

How does Montgomery County compare?

See how Montgomery County's stormwater management rules stack up against other locations.

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Montgomery County, TX Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

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