Roanoke, VA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Chapter 11.3, the stormwater discharge requirements chapter, makes it unlawful under § 11.3-5(a) to cause or allow illicit discharges of sewage, industrial waste or other wastes into the storm drain system or onto surfaces that drain to it; to connect a sanitary sewer to the storm drain system; to connect any structure to the storm drain system without a valid VPDES or NPDES permit; to discharge non-stormwater materials by spill or dumping without a federal or state permit; to throw or deposit anything that impedes stormwater flow; to fail to notify the Director of Public Works of an illicit connection on one's property; or to swim or enter a stormwater retention pond or storm sewer. Section 11.3-5(b) exempts specific low-risk flows, such as water line flushing, landscape irrigation, residential car washing, dechlorinated pool discharge and discharges under a valid VSMP, VPDES, NPDES or VPA permit, unless the director finds those flows are actually carrying pollutants, in which case the director can order the activity stopped under subsection (c).

The director has broad inspection authority under § 11.3-6, including entering public or private property at reasonable times to sample discharges, inspect monitoring equipment and copy relevant records, and can require a discharger to submit a stormwater pollution prevention plan or monitoring reports. Section 11.3-7 sets the penalty: any violation of the chapter is a Class I misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 per violation per day and up to 12 months in jail, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense. Violators are also liable to the city for the cost of testing, containment, cleanup, abatement and removal, and the director can seek an injunction or pursue the state remedies under Va. Code § 10.1-603.14 in addition to the criminal penalty.