Taunton, MA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Department of Public Works
- Maximum daily fine
- $300 per day per violation
- Noncriminal fine schedule
- $100 / $200 / $300 escalating
- Chapter adopted
- July 15, 2014
- Spill records retention
- 3 years on-site
Summary
Chapter 381 of the Taunton Code bans dumping or discharging anything but stormwater into the City's storm drain system, a watercourse, or the waters of the Commonwealth. The Department of Public Works administers the ban, issues written enforcement orders, and can fine a violator up to $300 for each day the violation continues.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect the health, safety, general welfare, and environment by regulating illicit connections and discharges to the storm drain system and controlling the adverse effects of construction site stormwater runoff and post-construction stormwater runoff which is necessary for the protection of the City of Taunton's water bodies and groundwater. ... Prohibition of illegal discharges. No person shall dump, discharge, or cause or allow to be discharged into the municipal separate storm sewer system, into a watercourse, or into the waters of the commonwealth 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 stormwater. ... Any person who violates any provision of this article, valid regulation, or the terms or conditions in any permit or order prescribed or issued thereunder shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $300 for each day such violation occurs or continues or subject to a civil penalty which may be assessed in an action brought on behalf of the City in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4508986; v12 updated 2025-09-22; through 09-22-2025).
Full Breakdown
The ordinance defines the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) to include every road drainage system, gutter, curb inlet, piped storm drain, retention basin and altered drainage channel the City owns or operates, and it flatly prohibits illicit connections to that system regardless of whether the connection was once legal. A narrow list of discharges is exempted, including firefighting water, waterline flushing, landscape irrigation, rising or uncontaminated groundwater, noncommercial car washing, and dechlorinated swimming pool water that has stood for a week or tested under one part per million chlorine before draining.
Anyone who discovers a release of oil or hazardous material into the storm system must notify the Taunton Fire Department immediately; a release of nonhazardous material must be reported to the Department of Public Works no later than the next business day, confirmed in writing to the Department within three business days, and the discharger must keep an on-site written record for at least three years. The Department of Public Works, as the authorized enforcement agency, can issue written orders to eliminate illicit connections, terminate MS4 access, or require remediation, and can seek injunctive relief in court.
As an alternative to criminal prosecution, the City may use the noncriminal disposition track under MGL c. 40, Section 21D: $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second, and $300 for the third and every one after that, with each calendar day of continued violation counted as a separate offense. Unpaid remediation costs become a municipal lien on the property under MGL c. 40, Section 58. The Department's decisions and orders are final, so anyone contesting one must go directly to court rather than a City appeals board.
Violations & Fines
A stormwater violation carries a fine of up to $300 for each day it continues, or the City can seek a civil penalty in court. Under the noncriminal disposition option the City actually uses, fines escalate: $100 first offense, $200 second, $300 third and beyond, each day counted separately. If the City abates a violation itself, the cost becomes a lien against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who enforces Taunton's stormwater ordinance?
What has to be reported if a hazardous spill reaches a storm drain?
Is any discharge into the storm drain system allowed besides rain?
How much can the City fine someone for an illegal discharge?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Taunton
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bristol County handle stormwater management.