Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Waco

Waco, TX Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Some Restrictions

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

Key Facts

SWPPP threshold: Required at 1 acre or more disturbed
Small-site rule: Erosion control plan required under 1 acre
Inspections: Every 14 days and within 24 hrs after 0.5" rain
Final stabilization: 70% perennial vegetative cover required
Penalty: Class C misdemeanor, fine per Sec. 1-14
Appeal window: 15 days to city manager under Sec. 26-328
Enforcing agency: Director of engineering and building official

Summary

Waco requires a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) for any residential, commercial, or industrial development disturbing one acre or more, including sites under an acre that are part of a larger common plan of development. Smaller stand-alone sites need an erosion control plan instead. The director of engineering and building official enforce compliance before certificates of occupancy issue.

(a)The stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) shall describe and ensure the implementation of practices that will be used to reduce the pollutants in stormwater discharges associated with construction activity at the construction site and assure compliance with the terms and conditions of a TCEQ or EPA stormwater permit.(b)Except as provided in subsection (2), a site specific storm water pollution prevention plan is required for all residential, commercial, and industrial developments that disturbs one acre or more, and on sites that disturbs less than 1.0 acre when the site is part of a larger development.

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 88).

Full Breakdown

Under Chapter 26, Article VIII of the Waco Code of Ordinances, any construction site that disturbs one acre or more of land, whether residential, commercial, or industrial, must have a site-specific stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) prepared at the time the notice of intent (NOI) or construction site notice is submitted. The rule also reaches sites under one acre when they are part of a larger common plan of development; only truly standalone sites under one acre are excused, and even those need an erosion control plan under Sec.

26-326(h) instead of a full SWPPP. The SWPPP must identify the outfall location into the city's municipal separate storm sewer system and any environmentally sensitive areas, and must satisfy the TPDES General Stormwater Requirements for Construction Activities. Developers disturbing five or more acres must give the director of engineering or building official a copy of the EPA/TCEQ notice of intent; those disturbing one to five acres provide the construction site notice instead. Sec. 5 inches or more. Final stabilization requires 70 percent perennial vegetative cover on disturbed, unpaved ground, or equivalent measures like riprap or geotextiles, and a certificate of occupancy will not issue until the building official confirms all plan measures are complete.

A person adversely affected by a director of engineering or building official decision may appeal in writing to the city manager within 15 days under Sec. 26-328.

Violations & Fines

Violating any provision of Waco's stormwater article is a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine under Sec. 1-14, with each day of continued violation and each separate provision violated counted as a distinct offense under Sec. 26-330. Failing to appear on a citation issued for a stormwater violation is itself a separate violation. No culpable mental state is required to prove an offense, so a contractor need not act knowingly or intentionally to be cited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every construction project in Waco need a stormwater plan?

No. A full stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) is required only when a project disturbs one acre or more, or when a smaller site is part of a larger common plan of development. A stand-alone site disturbing less than one acre only needs an erosion control plan under Sec. 26-326(h), which sets lighter erosion-control measures rather than a full SWPPP.

What happens if a Waco stormwater plan isn't followed?

Under Sec. 26-330, violating the stormwater article is a class C misdemeanor, with a fine set under Sec. 1-14 and each day of noncompliance treated as a separate offense. A certificate of occupancy also will not be issued until the building official confirms every temporary and permanent pollution control measure in the plan is complete.

How often must pollution control measures be inspected in Waco?

Sec. 26-327(e) requires the responsible party to inspect every pollution control measure at least every 14 days and again within 24 hours after any rainfall of 0.5 inches or more, keeping a written record of each inspection as part of the SWPPP available to city inspectors during normal business hours.

Can a Waco stormwater decision be appealed?

Yes. Sec. 26-328 lets anyone adversely affected by a decision of the director of engineering or the building official appeal in writing to the city manager within 15 days of being notified, setting out specifically why the decision should be reconsidered.

Sources & Official References

[1]Waco, TX Code of Ordinances - Municode Library (Ch. 26, Art. VIII)

Other rules in Waco

Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSignificant Restrictions Boat Dock PermitsSome Restrictions Erosion ControlSome Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Curb Color RulesSignificant Restrictions

All Waco rules

Texas rules heatmap·Compare Waco to another location·View the Texas environmental rules overview

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.