Sterling Heights, MI Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the storm drain system or watercourses, any materials, including, but not limited to, pollutants or waters containing any pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards, other than storm water. The commencement, conduct, or continuance of any illegal discharge to the storm drain system is prohibited; however, the following discharges are exempt from prohibition as described:

(1)   The discharges and flows from firefighting activities if they are identified as not being a significant source of pollutants to the waters of the state.

(2)   Discharges specified in writing by the Public Works Director or designee as being necessary to protect public health and safety.

(3)   Dye testing, when there has been verbal notification to the Public Works Director or designee and State Department of Environmental Quality procedures have been followed.

(4)   Discharges permitted under an NPDES permit, waiver, or waste discharge order issued to the discharger and administered under the authority of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, provided that the discharger is in full compliance with all requirements of the permit, waiver, or order and other applicable laws and regulations, and provided that written approval has been granted for any discharge to the storm drain system.

(5)   The following discharges or flows if they are identified as not