Stormwater

The Stormwater Section's services include, but are not limited to, Stormwater plan review (BCE plans and OCE Plans), Stormwater quality (SWQ) plan review & permitting. Additionally, the section manages the MS4 permit/program (municipal separate storm sewer system) and serves as a program liaison and subject matter expert, and maintains a database of information, collaborates with City staff in other departments and other entities like Harris County on a joint program to meet TCEQ/EPA permit requirements.

• Contact
• Helpful links
• Stormwater News | Updates
• Stormwater Walk-in Service
• Applications and Forms

1002 Washington Ave., 2nd Floor
Houston, TX 77002

Storm Water Quality

• Storm Water Quality Permit Application
• Storm Water Quality Permit Index
• Storm Water Quality Requirements
• Cosmetic Wash Water Guidelines

Other resources and documents:

• Storm Drainage Walk-in Guidelines for private construction projects (OCE-0006)
• Guidelines for a Successful Mylar Walk-through
• Fill and Grade Plan Review Checklist (OCE-0004)
• Storm detention FAQ's
• Schedule an appointment with your reviewer

As of Thursday, May 30, 2024, a supplement to the City's Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) was issued. This supplement, named "Supplement to IDM Chapter-9" is effective immediately to update and clarify Note 2 from Table 9.4 in Chapter 9 of IDM - Detention Volume for Criteria 2 for tracts with SFR Developments with direct driveway access, join access, shared access, courtyard access drive, or multi-unit residential (MUR) development.

Effective Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, private detention, restrictor design, and calculations must be provided on plans submitted through Building Code Enforcement's private plan review process in lieu of a separate plan submission through the Office of City Engineer.

When submitting storm drawings to OCE, a note must be provided that references the BCE project number that includes the private detention, restrictor design, and calculations. The OCE storm drawings must also include a site background on the overall site plan to reflect the scope of work.

View an example of the drainage note on a plan sheet. The note should have a similar layout to the following:

See private drawing "xxxxxxxx" for detention, restrictor design, and calculations. Overall layout footprint is shown here for reference only.

Continue to submit detention, restrictor design, and calculations on drawings through the OCE's plan review process for projects that are not reviewed through BCE's plan review process (ex: a subdivision project or an extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) project).