Pontiac, MI Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Pontiac's non-stormwater discharge ordinance, City Code §§ 58-700 through 58-704, protects the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) that drains to the Clinton River and other waters of the State. Section 58-701 forbids discharging any pollutant other than stormwater into the MS4, and separately bans any illicit discharge outright, unless the discharge is identified as not a significant contributor of pollutants. The ordinance lists eleven specific exemptions: water line flushing and potable-water discharges, landscape and lawn-watering irrigation runoff, diverted stream flows from riparian habitats or wetlands, rising groundwater and springs, uncontaminated groundwater infiltration or seepage, uncontaminated pumped groundwater (except NPDES-regulated cleanups), foundation and footing drains and basement sump water, air conditioning condensation, noncommercial car-washing water, street wash water, and dechlorinated swimming pool water from one-, two- and three-family residences.

Firefighting flows are allowed unless they carry a significant pollutant load. Section 58-702 separately bans the construction, use, maintenance or continued existence of any illicit connection to the storm drain system, applying even to a connection made before this article existed, and treats any sewage line tied into a storm drain or MS4 as a per se violation. Section 58-703 bars direct dumping of materials into the MS4. Section 58-704 authorizes the City of Pontiac Department of Public Works or another authorized enforcement agency to enter any property to inspect, observe, measure, sample and test for suspected non-stormwater discharges, and makes refusing that reasonable access itself a violation of the article.

Because Article IX sets no fine schedule of its own, a violation defaults to the Code's general penalty, § 1-25: a fine of up to $500.00 or up to 90 days in jail, or both, in the court's discretion, with a mandatory minimum $500.00 fine or 90 days for a repeat conviction.