Last Updated 07/20/2026
Excerpt from Mesa Municipal Code
8-5-3: – REDUCTION OF POLLUTANTS IN STORM WATER
(B) No person shall throw, deposit, leave, maintain, keep, or permit to be thrown, deposited, left, maintained, or kept, except in appropriate containers or in lawfully established dumping grounds, any refuse, rubbish, garbage, or other discarded or abandoned objects, articles, and accumulations into or upon any component of the City storm sewer system or upon any public property. Additionally, no person shall do the same upon any private property in such a manner that could reasonably result in the release of pollutants to the City storm sewer system.
(C) Persons owning or operating a parking lot, storage or loading area, or similar property which is exposed to rainfall shall maintain those properties in a manner so that any release from such properties does not cause or contribute to a violation of Section 8-5-2.
(D) Any person performing construction activities shall undertake appropriate best management practices to minimize the release of pollutants and sediment to the maximum extent practicable. Such best management practices shall include the requirements imposed by both of the following
8-5-8: CIVIL VIOLATIONS AND CITATIONS
(C) The responsible party shall, within the time period specified on the citation or within 10 calendar days of the issuance of the citation, whichever is greater, either pay the civil sanction and the fees, or appear in person, through an attorney or by e-mail with the clerk of the Civil Hearing Officer and admit or deny the allegations contained in the citation.
- If the responsible party timely pays the civil sanction and the fees, either in person or by mailing payment to the City, the allegations in the citation shall be deemed admitted and such person shall be deemed responsible for having committed the offense(s) described in the citation. If the responsible party appears in person, through an attorney or by e-mail and admits the allegations, the Civil Hearing Officer shall enter judgment against the responsible party in the amount of the civil sanction, plus any applicable fees designated in Section 8-5-9
- If the responsible party appears in person, through an attorney or by e-mail and denies the allegations contained in the citation, the clerk of the Civil Hearing Office shall set the matter for hearing
(D) If a person served with a citation fails to pay the civil sanction and the fees or to file on or before the time directed on the citation or at the time set for hearing by the Civil Hearing Officer, the allegations in the complaint shall be deemed admitted, and the Civil Hearing Officer shall enter a finding of responsible and a judgment for the City and impose the appropriate sanctions and fees.
8-5-9: CIVIL PENALTIES
(A) Any responsible party who is found responsible for a civil violation of this Chapter, whether by admission, default, or after a hearing, shall pay a civil sanction of not less than $150 or more than $1,500. A second finding of responsibility within 36 months of the commission of a prior violation of this Chapter shall result in an enhanced civil sanction of not less than $250 or more than $2,500. A third finding of responsibility within 36 months of the commission of a prior violation of this Chapter shall result in an enhanced civil sanction of not less than $500 or more than $2,500. In addition to the civil sanction, the responsible party shall pay the applicable fees and charges set forth in the City’s Development and Sustainability Department (Code Compliance) Schedule of Fees and Charges, and may be ordered to pay any other applicable fees and charges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an illicit discharge violation under Mesa's stormwater code?
Throwing, depositing, or leaving refuse, rubbish, garbage or other discarded material into the city’s storm sewer system or onto public property is prohibited outright. The same restriction applies to private property if the way materials are stored or discarded could reasonably result in pollutants reaching the storm sewer system, so the violation isn’t limited to public land.
Does having a parking lot or loading area create stormwater obligations in Mesa?
Yes. Anyone owning or operating a parking lot, storage area, loading area, or similar property exposed to rainfall has to maintain it so that runoff from the property doesn’t cause or contribute to a discharge violation. That applies whether or not the property owner intended for anything to wash off-site.
What best management practices does Mesa require during construction?
Anyone performing construction activity has to use appropriate best management practices to minimize the release of pollutants and sediment to the maximum extent practicable. That standard is deliberately broad, covering whatever level of control is practically achievable for the specific site and activity rather than a fixed checklist.
How much can a stormwater violation cost in Mesa?
A first violation carries a civil sanction of $150 to $1,500, on top of applicable fees under the city’s Development and Sustainability Department fee schedule. That penalty escalates quickly for repeat violations: $250 to $2,500 for a second finding within 36 months, and $500 to $2,500 for a third finding within that same 36-month window.
What happens after I receive a stormwater citation in Mesa?
The responsible party has 10 calendar days from the citation, or longer if the citation specifies more time, to either pay the civil sanction and fees or contest the allegations with the Civil Hearing Officer’s clerk. Paying the sanction is treated as an admission of responsibility. Missing the deadline without responding results in an automatic finding of responsibility and judgment for the city.
Can I dispute a stormwater citation in Mesa?
Yes. If you appear in person, through an attorney, or by email and deny the allegations within the response window, the matter gets set for a hearing before the Civil Hearing Officer rather than resolved automatically. That’s the only path that avoids an automatic finding of responsibility.
How can AQUALIS help my property avoid stormwater violations in Mesa?
AQUALIS helps Mesa property owners maintain parking lots, loading areas, and other exposed surfaces to prevent the kind of runoff that triggers a violation, and implements the construction-phase best management practices the city’s ordinance requires, helping property owners avoid the escalating penalty structure tied to repeat findings.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Regulations change frequently — AQUALIS makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this content, and any reliance on it is at your own risk. Consult a qualified professional or your local regulatory authority to confirm requirements applicable to your specific property.
