West Jordan, UT Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

City Code title 8, chapter 11, 'Stormwater Discharges and Quality Management,' governs everything that enters West Jordan's storm drain system. Section 8-11-1 states the chapter's purpose: protecting public health, safety and welfare by minimizing pollutants entering the storm drain system, prohibiting illicit discharges and connections, minimizing nonpoint source pollution from runoff, and requiring Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce pollutant loads. Under subsection B, the chapter applies to all real property within the incorporated area of the city and to all water entering the storm drain system from developed or undeveloped land.

Section 8-11-3 spells out the core prohibition: no person may deliberately or mistakenly discharge, or cause or allow the discharge of, anything other than stormwater into the city's storm drain system or watercourses, including pollutants or water containing pollutants, whether the connection is direct or indirect. The code carves out ten specific exemptions, covering UPDES-permitted discharges, water line flushing, sprinkler and lawn irrigation runoff, residential vehicle or watercraft washing, natural riparian or wetland flows, natural groundwater flows, emergency firefighting activity, dechlorinated swimming pool water, and city-approved foundation, footing, or crawl space drains.

Once the city identifies an illicit discharge, section 8-11-3(C) lets it demand immediate or dated correction after written notice, and, if a storm event is imminent, take emergency measures itself. Enforcement runs through section 8-11-13: the city can proceed administratively under title 16 or pursue criminal charges, and any violation is also declared a public nuisance that can be summarily abated at the responsible person's expense. Criminal violations are a Class C misdemeanor, with each day of ongoing violation charged as a separate offense.