Richmond operates a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) under Virginia DEQ permit and charges a stormwater utility fee based on impervious area, with land-disturbing activities over 2,500 square feet requiring a Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) permit.
Richmond DPU Stormwater Utility bills a fee based on equivalent residential units (ERUs), currently 7.50 dollars per ERU per month for single-family homes. The city administers the VSMP under agreement with DEQ, requiring erosion and sediment control plans and post-construction water quality BMPs for projects over 2,500 square feet. Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act applies citywide. Combined sewer overflow (CSO) areas along the James River face additional discharge restrictions under a long-term EPA consent decree.
Unpermitted land disturbance can result in stop-work orders and civil penalties up to 32,500 dollars per day per VA Code 62.1-44.15:48.
Richmond, VA
Richmond's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single-family homes. Politica...
Richmond, VA
Richmond has no specific city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Restrictions come from HOA and condo covenants under Virginia's P...
Richmond, VA
Richmond has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Real restrictions arise from HOA and condo covenants under ...
Richmond, VA
Outdoor kitchens in Richmond require separate trade permits from PDR Building Permits: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit for gas lin...
Richmond, VA
Richmond has no specific city ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Multi-unit re...
Richmond, VA
Richmond enforces the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), which adopts the 2018 International Fire Code. IFC §308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooki...
See how Richmond's stormwater management rules stack up against other locations.
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