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Collier County, FL Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Code Sec. 54-80.3
Enforcing agency
Collier County Pollution Control
Maximum fine
$500 per violation
Maximum jail term
60 days
Inspection window
8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon-Fri, no notice
Continuing violations
each day is a separate offense

Summary

Collier County regulates stormwater discharges under Code Sec. 54-80.3, reaching industrial, commercial, residential and construction sites that discharge into the county's stormwater system (CCMS4). When a discharge reaches an impaired waterbody or one with an adopted pollution limit, the county can order monitoring and pollutant-load reduction.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Collier County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

This section applies to all facilities that have Stormwater discharges associated with Industrial, Commercial, Residential, or Construction Activity and will become effective if permit requirements are not being met or reasonable BMPs are not being implemented.

If a Private SMS discharges to the CCMS4 that is declared impaired by FDEP or is upstream of an Impaired Waterbody, or the downstream waterbody has an adopted TMDL, BMAP, or SSAC, the discharger may be required to monitor the water at the relevant outfall at the County's discretion to determine if the discharger is meeting the established criteria and not causing any further impairment. Further, the discharger may be required to reduce the Pollutant load being Discharged to the greatest extent possible, from the Private SMS to the CCMS4.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 126 | Land Development Code: Supplement 33).

Full Breakdown

Sec. 3 applies to any facility, industrial, commercial, residential or construction, whose stormwater discharges enter the Collier County municipal separate storm sewer system (CCMS4), and it triggers when permit requirements aren't met or reasonable Best Management Practices (BMPs) aren't implemented. If a private stormwater management system (Private SMS) feeds into a CCMS4 segment that FDEP has declared impaired, that lies upstream of an impaired waterbody, or whose downstream waterbody carries an adopted TMDL, BMAP or SSAC, Collier County Pollution Control can require the discharger to monitor water quality at the relevant outfall and, if needed, reduce the pollutant load being discharged to the greatest extent possible.

Enforcement runs through Sec. , Monday through Friday, to check compliance with permits, consent orders and BMPs, and can obtain an inspection warrant if access is refused. Sec. 8 requires anyone responsible for a discharge to report it to Pollution Control, remediate within a reasonable timeframe, and amend BMPs to prevent recurrence; the county can also order temporary disconnection of water service where an unmitigated illicit discharge threatens public health. Sec. 9 ties any associated fees to the Land Development Code's Growth Management Department fee schedule.

This water-pollution article sits in Chapter 54, Article III, apart from the separate Stormwater Utility article (Sec. ), which only governs utility billing and enterprise-fund fees, not discharge conduct.

Violations & Fines

Violating Sec. 54-80.3 or the surrounding water-pollution article is a misdemeanor under Sec. 54-80.11, punishable by a fine up to $500, up to 60 days in the county jail, or both, at the court's discretion. Each day a violation or non-compliance continues counts as a separate offense. The county can also pursue injunctive relief, a civil damages action, or prosecution before the Code Enforcement Board or a Special Magistrate under F.S. ch. 162, and these remedies are cumulative rather than exclusive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Collier County's stormwater discharge rule apply to homeowners?
Yes. Sec. 54-80.3 covers facilities with stormwater discharges tied to industrial, commercial, residential or construction activity that reach the county's CCMS4 system, so a residential property's private stormwater management system is within scope if it discharges to an impaired or regulated waterbody.
What triggers a county monitoring requirement for stormwater?
Monitoring can be required when a private stormwater system discharges into a CCMS4 segment FDEP has declared impaired, sits upstream of an impaired waterbody, or feeds a downstream waterbody with an adopted TMDL, BMAP or SSAC pollution limit, at Pollution Control's discretion.
Can a Collier County inspector enter my property to check stormwater compliance?
Yes. Under Sec. 54-80.7, inspectors may enter Closely Regulated Facilities without prior notice between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and can seek an inspection or search warrant if access is denied outside that window.
What happens if I don't fix a reported stormwater discharge problem?
Sec. 54-80.8 requires the responsible party to remediate within a reasonable timeframe and update BMPs to stop recurrence; failing to do so is itself a violation, and Sec. 54-80.11 sets a misdemeanor penalty of up to $500 and 60 days in jail per day of continued non-compliance.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Collier County

All Collier County rules

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