Last Updated 07/23/2026
The City of New Haven has enacted a Stormwater Ordinance in order to establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health, safety, and welfare of the public residing in watersheds within this jurisdiction. The City of New Haven is the permitting authority for all land disturbing activities and requires the land owner to maintain all on-site stormwater control facilities and all open space areas (e.g. parks or “green” areas) required by the approved stormwater control plan. The City of New Haven will only provide construction permits to projects that establish a plan to manage stormwater runoff occurring during the construction process. The City of New Haven, under the NPDES program, also has the authority to inspect properties for noncompliance and can issue a notice of violation (NOV) for any deficiency or infraction onsite. Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of any stormwater facilities or practices located on the property. The City of New Haven has the authority to inspect stormwater facilities and practices in order to ascertain that they are properly maintained and functioning.
The City of New Haven has a CSO (Combined Storm/Sewer Overflow) system which it operates and maintains. In an effort to reduce overflows into the Long Island Sound, the Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority is responsible for implementing a Combined Sewer Overflow Long-Term Control Plan (CSO-LTCP) in an effort to eliminate overflows to the Long Island Sound. The CSO-LTCP includes the continued separation of the storm and sanitary sewers in the City as well as a capture and treat program to minimize overflows.
The City of New Haven does not have a stormwater management ordinance at this point in time; however, New Haven was an elected municipality to participate in Public Act No. 07-154. This legislative act provided grant funding for the conduct of a stormwater authority pilot program including the legal authority to establish such a Stormwater Authority. Many recommendations emerged as a result of this study, including implementing post-construction stormwater management requirements and a stormwater utility structure.
Most of the current stormwater management activities are administered by various departments within the City with prime participants being the City’s Departments of Engineering and Public Works. These activities include planning and construction of capital improvements, regulatory compliance and managing maintenance operations for storm sewers, catch basins, pipes, culverts, and drainage channels.
City of New Haven Stormwater Management Plan
(4) Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
This minimum control measure outlines procedures for minimizing polluted stormwater runoff from activities that disturb one or more acres of land. In the City of New Haven, this is determined on a site by site basis.
4.1 Implement, upgrade and enforce land use regulations to meet requirements of MS4 general permit
The City of New Haven has a formal site plan review that occurs approximately every 2 or 3 weeks to review proposed site development plans. Site Plan Review is attended by members of multiple city departments including City Plan Department, Engineering Department, Building Department, Parks Department, and Transportation, Traffic, and Parking Department. All site plans are reviewed by the site plan review committee prior to their approval to go in front of the City Plan Commission.
4.2 Develop and implement plan for interdepartmental coordination of site plan review and approval
The City of New Haven has a formal site plan review that occurs approximately every 2 or 3 weeks to review proposed site development plans. Site Plan Review is attended by members of multiple city departments including City Plan Department, Engineering Department, Building Department, Parks Department, and Transportation, Traffic, and Parking Department. All site plans are reviewed by the site plan review committee prior to their approval to go in front of the City Plan Commission.
4.3 Review site plans for stormwater quality concerns
The City of New Haven conducts site plan reviews that incorporate consideration of stormwater controls or management practices to prevent or minimize impacts to water quality on sites with soil disturbance of one half acre or more. The City of New Haven will also conduct site inspections to assess the adequacy of the installation, maintenance, operation, and repair of construction and post construction control measures and take enforcement action when necessary.
4.4 Conduct site inspections
The City of New Haven will perform construction site inspections and take enforcement actions if necessary to ensure the adequacy of the installation, maintenance, operation, and repair of all construction and post‐ construction runoff control measures.
4.5 Implement procedure to allow public comment on site development
New Haven’s procedure for public involvement in proposed and ongoing development and land disturbance activities is as follows:
The City Plan Commission may determine that public hearing is necessary for any SESC Plan. The Commission has discretions for determining when to require a public hearing; one factor is the receipt of public comments on a SESC Plan. If a public hearing is required, then public notice will be placed in the newspaper in accordance with SESC regulations. The applicant is also required to give written notice to adjacent land owners within 200 feet. All applications, maps, and documents related to the public hearing shall be open for public inspection at the City Plan Department at least 15 days prior to the public hearing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of New Haven have its own stormwater management ordinance?
Not at this time, according to the city’s own Stormwater Management Plan. New Haven did participate as an elected municipality in a state-funded pilot program under Public Act 07-154, which studied establishing a formal Stormwater Authority and generated recommendations including post-construction requirements and a stormwater utility structure, but those recommendations haven’t yet become a standalone city ordinance.
Who actually handles stormwater compliance in New Haven if there's no dedicated ordinance?
Primarily the city’s Departments of Engineering and Public Works, working under the city’s Soil Erosion and Sediment Control regulations, which have been part of the Zoning Ordinance since June 1993. These departments handle capital improvement planning, regulatory compliance, and maintenance operations for storm sewers, catch basins, pipes, culverts, and drainage channels.
What size project triggers stormwater review in New Haven?
It varies by activity. Construction site runoff control applies to activities disturbing one acre or more, evaluated site by site, while the city’s broader site plan review process specifically considers stormwater quality on sites with half an acre or more of soil disturbance.
Do I need a long-term maintenance plan for a private detention or retention pond in New Haven?
Yes, if it discharges to or receives drainage from the city’s MS4. Site owners seeking development approval have to provide and comply with a long-term maintenance plan and schedule covering both short-term and long-term inspection and maintenance measures for privately owned stormwater basins.
Does New Haven inspect privately owned stormwater basins?
Where permitted, yes. The city’s plan specifically authorizes inspection, surveillance, and monitoring to confirm compliance, and that includes inventorying privately owned retention ponds, detention ponds, and other basins that discharge to or receive drainage from the city’s MS4.
How does New Haven's site plan review process work for a new development?
Site Plan Review meets roughly every two to three weeks and brings together the City Plan, Engineering, Building, Parks, and Transportation, Traffic, and Parking departments. Every site plan goes through that committee before it can move forward to the City Plan Commission.
How does New Haven's site plan review process work for a new development?
Potentially, at the City Plan Commission’s discretion. If a public hearing is required for a Soil Erosion and Sediment Control plan, notice runs in the newspaper and the applicant has to separately notify adjacent landowners within 200 feet in writing. All related applications and documents have to be open for public inspection at least 15 days before that hearing.
Why does New Haven's stormwater program emphasize combined sewer overflow so heavily?
Because the city operates a combined storm and sanitary sewer system in parts of town, and the Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority is responsible for a Combined Sewer Overflow Long-Term Control Plan aimed at reducing overflows into Long Island Sound. That plan includes continued separation of storm and sanitary sewers alongside a capture-and-treat program.
How can AQUALIS help my property navigate stormwater compliance in New Haven?
AQUALIS helps New Haven property owners prepare long-term maintenance plans for privately owned detention and retention basins, navigate the city’s interdepartmental site plan review process, and stay ahead of construction and post-construction control measure inspections even without a dedicated municipal stormwater ordinance in place.
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.
