Santa Fe, NM Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Section 13-2.6(A) SFCC 1987 prohibits any direct or indirect non-stormwater discharge into the storm drain system that contains pollutants causing or contributing to a violation of local, state or federal water quality standards. The ordinance defines pollutant broadly: paint, solvents, automotive fluids, yard waste, pesticides, fecal coliform, sediment and construction rinsate all qualify under Section 13-2.4. A narrow list of activities is exempted as long as they stay free of contamination, including landscape irrigation, individual residential car washing, air conditioning condensate, uncontaminated foundation drains and dechlorinated pool discharges (Section 13-2.6(B)).

Illicit physical connections to the storm drain system are separately banned under Section 13-2.7, including connections made in the past under rules that once permitted them. Section 13-2.9 makes every property owner along a watercourse responsible for keeping their stretch free of trash, debris and excess vegetation and for maintaining structures so they don't obstruct flow or accelerate erosion. Anyone responsible for a facility that has a known or suspected release must move immediately to contain and clean it up; hazardous releases require immediate notice to emergency responders, and nonhazardous releases must reach the city's public works department by 5:00 p.m. the next business day, confirmed in writing within three business days, with on-site written records kept for at least three years (Section 13-2.10). The city may inspect any property, sample discharges, and issue a written notice of violation before proceeding to abatement (Sections 13-2.11 through 13-2.16).