Westminster, CO Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- Land disturbance of 1 acre or more
- Illicit discharge
- Banned into MS4, § 8-11-8(A)
- Administrative fine
- Up to $1,000 per violation per day
- Judicial civil penalty
- Up to $1,000 per violation per day
- Admin appeal deadline
- 10 days, with fine paid in full
Summary
Westminster requires erosion and sediment controls on any land-disturbing activity and bans illicit discharges into its storm sewer system under Code Chapter 11, backing the rules with civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation per day.
8-11-2. - General Requirements. (A)Any person who undertakes or causes to be undertaken any activity that involves disturbance of the surface of land shall ensure that soil erosion, sedimentation, increased pollutant loads and changed water flow characteristics resulting from the activity are controlled, so as to minimize pollution of receiving waters. The requirements of this Chapter are minimum standards and a person's compliance with the same shall not relieve such person from the duty of enacting all measures necessary to minimize pollution of receiving waters. ... 8-11-8. - Illicit Discharges. (A)Prohibition of Illegal Discharges: It is unlawful and constitutes a public nuisance for any person to discharge or cause to be discharged or spilled any substance other than naturally occurring stormwater runoff into the City's MS4.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 12).
Full Breakdown
requires anyone who undertakes land-disturbing activity to control soil erosion, sedimentation, increased pollutant loads, and changed water-flow characteristics so as to minimize pollution of receiving waters, and states compliance with the chapter's minimum standards does not excuse a person from taking all measures necessary to minimize that pollution. Section 8-11-5(A) requires a land disturbance permit before any activity covering one acre or more, any smaller site that is part of a larger planned development, work in an environmentally sensitive area, or any project the City Manager deems needs one.
Section 8-11-8(A) separately makes it 'unlawful and constitutes a public nuisance for any person to discharge or cause to be discharged or spilled any substance other than naturally occurring stormwater runoff' into the City's municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), with limited listed exceptions such as potable water line flushing and residential car washing. C.
Violations & Fines
A stormwater violation can draw an administrative fine up to $1,000.00 per violation per day under Section 8-11-10(G)(1), W.M.C., a separate judicial civil penalty up to $1,000.00 per violation per day under Section 8-11-11(B)(1), and criminal prosecution under Section 1-8-1, W.M.C. for willful or negligent violations. Administrative fines must be appealed in writing within ten days, with the fine paid in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Westminster require a permit before grading or excavating land?
What counts as an illegal stormwater discharge in Westminster?
How much can I be fined for a stormwater violation?
Can I appeal a stormwater fine?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Westminster
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Adams County handle stormwater management.