Tempe Storm Drain Rules & Maintenance Guide
Tempe, Arizona requires property owners, contractors, and city crews to prevent pollutants from entering storm drains and local waterways. This guide summarizes the city rules, who enforces them, common violations, and practical steps to maintain drains, report spills, and apply for related permits. It focuses on municipal requirements, inspection and complaint pathways, and how enforcement typically proceeds so that residents and businesses in Tempe can keep stormwater clean and avoid penalties.
Scope & Key Rules
City rules prohibit discharging pollutants to the storm drainage system, require best management practices (BMPs) during construction and maintenance, and set obligations for retention, containment, and reporting of illicit discharges. For operational details and ordinance text, consult the City of Tempe stormwater program and the municipal code. [1]
Who Enforces These Rules
- City of Tempe Public Works - Stormwater Division enforces stormwater quality and illicit discharge rules.
- Code enforcement and environmental compliance staff may inspect sites and issue orders.
- Enforcement relies on the Tempe municipal code and related administrative rules; consult the code for ordinance language. [2]
Penalties & Enforcement
Penalties for violations, escalation procedures, and non-monetary sanctions are set by Tempe municipal authority and administrative practices. Where the official pages do not list specific fine amounts or step-by-step escalation, the cited pages are noted below.
- Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page.
- Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offences and specific ranges are not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: administrative orders to abate discharges, required clean-up, stop-work orders for construction, and referral to municipal or superior courts.
- Enforcer: City of Tempe Public Works - Stormwater Division and Code Enforcement; inspections may be triggered by routine programs, site complaints, or construction plan review.
- Appeals and review: the municipal code provides appeal routes to administrative hearings or city processes; exact time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page.
- Defenses and discretion: compliance plans, permitted discharges under specific permits, or emergency actions may be recognized; specific language on reasonable excuse or variances is not specified on the cited page.
Applications & Forms
Permits, plan-review checklists, and BMP guidance are handled through Tempe permits and Public Works plan review. The city posts application forms and submittal instructions on official pages; if a specific stormwater form or fee is required, refer to the municipal permitting pages and the stormwater program for forms and fee schedules.[1]
Common Violations
- Failure to control sediment and erosion at construction sites.
- Discharging wash water, concrete rinse, or automotive fluids into gutters or inlets.
- Improper disposal of landscape or pool backwash to the storm system.
- Blocked or neglected public inlets that create backups and illegal overflows.
How to Report, Comply, and Prevent Violations
- Report spills and illicit discharges to Tempe Public Works Stormwater via the city reporting page or emergency contacts.
- Implement site-specific BMPs before starting work and document inspections.
- Pay any assessed fines or complete ordered remediation per city instructions; appeal through municipal processes if available.
FAQ
- Who do I call to report a discharge to a storm drain?
- Contact City of Tempe Public Works - Stormwater Division through the city report-a-concern or Public Works contact page for immediate reporting and guidance.
- Are household discharges like washwater allowed into storm drains?
- No. Washwater that contains pollutants should be disposed of to the sanitary sewer where permitted or contained and properly disposed; non-permitted discharges to storm drains are prohibited.
- Do I need a permit for construction dewatering?
- Construction-related dewatering often requires permits and BMP plans; check Tempe permits and Stormwater plan-review requirements for specific submittal instructions.
How-To
- Identify potential pollutant sources on your property and stop direct discharge to inlets.
- Install and maintain BMPs for sediment, concrete washout, and vehicle fluids before starting work.
- Contact Tempe Public Works to report spills and request guidance on cleanup and required notifications.[1]
- Follow any city orders, submit required remediation reports, and keep records of inspections and corrective actions.
Key Takeaways
- Preventing pollutant discharge protects waterways and reduces enforcement risk.
- Document BMPs and inspections to demonstrate compliance when inspected.