Last Updated 08/21/2026
Oakland County Water Resource Commissioner’s Office Enforcement Procedure
The WRC has permitting authority under the Michigan Drain Code and is able to investigate and permit or require the elimination of illicit connections and direct discharges to County Drains within their jurisdictional authority; however, WRC does not have regulatory authority to investigate or enforce corrective actions to eliminate illicit discharges from public and private property or entering County Drains indirectly through local public or private storm drains. The WRC works with local community authorities, private property owners, the Oakland County Health Department, and other State and Federal regulatory agencies for investigation and elimination of illicit discharge sources outside of their respective jurisdictions.
Excerpt from Oakland County Design Manual
Part H: Operations and Maintenance
Long-term Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Plans are required for County Stormwater Systems and Non-County Stormwater Systems and are summarized below. To facilitate routine inspections, all O&M requirements and documents listed below shall be incorporated into the plan set on dedicated O&M specific plan sheets. When O&M responsibilities or requirements are modified or updated, the respective O&M Plan sheet(s) shall be updated accordingly.
To ensure consistent perpetual O&M of the site’s stormwater system and to enhance water quality protection, prior to Drain Permit issuance, the WRC’s Permitting Department shall review and
approve the site-specific Stormwater Management O&M Agreement between the community and property owner. A fully executed Stormwater Management O&M Agreement is required prior to
issuance of the Drain Permit. This agreement shall consist of the following requirements which will be incorporated into the O&M Plan sheet(s):
- Legal Description: A legal description and reduced copy map to identify the land parcel(s) affected by this Agreement. This map shall be prepared for each site and must include a reference to a Subdivision Plat, parcel survey, or Condominium Master Deed, and a map to illustrate the affected parcel(s).
- Stormwater System Description and Map: A location map of the entire stormwater system. This map must be prepared for each site and the scale of the map shall show necessary detail.
- Stormwater O&M Plan Sheet(s): The site-specific Stormwater O&M Plan shall include the following requirements:
• Description of the stormwater system, drainage area, and its individual components.
• Specific short-term, intermediate and long-term maintenance tasks.
• Inspection and maintenance tasks, frequencies and responsibilities (matrix/table).
• Employee and contractor O&M training requirements, certifications, and responsibilities.
• BMP Details
• Property owners are responsible for completing all O&M tasks and maintaining O&M records for their stormwater systems. Upon request, property owners shall submit an Annual Stormwater System O&M Summary to OCWRC’s Permitting Department for tracking only. The community is responsible for enforcement of the O&M requirements as outlined in the Stormwater Management O&M Agreement and their MS4 permit. - Memorandum of Stormwater Management Operations and Maintenance Agreement: This O&M Memorandum acknowledges a perpetual requirement of stormwater system operations and maintenance, which is recorded with the Register of Deeds to put any future property owners, or interest holders, on notice of the Stormwater System and the Stormwater O&M Plan. This O&M Memorandum references the required Stormwater Management O&M Agreement, which resides with the local community to ensure consistency and periodic updates as necessary. A copy of the recorded document shall be submitted to OCWRC prior to closure of the Drain Permit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What authority does the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner have over stormwater discharges?
The WRC has permitting authority under the Michigan Drain Code and can investigate, permit, or require elimination of illicit connections and direct discharges to County Drains within its jurisdiction. It does not have authority to investigate or enforce corrective action for illicit discharges from public or private property that reach a County Drain indirectly through local storm drains. For those situations, the WRC coordinates with local community authorities, the Oakland County Health Department, and other state and federal agencies.
When is a Stormwater Management O&M Agreement required for a property in Oakland County?
A fully executed agreement between the local community and the property owner must be reviewed and approved by the WRC’s Permitting Department before a Drain Permit can be issued. The agreement has to include a legal description and map of the affected parcel, a location map of the entire stormwater system, and a detailed operations and maintenance plan.
What has to be included in a stormwater O&M plan in Oakland County?
The plan must describe the stormwater system, its drainage area, and its individual components, along with specific short-term, intermediate, and long-term maintenance tasks. It also needs a matrix showing inspection and maintenance frequencies and who’s responsible for each, employee and contractor training and certification requirements, and BMP details.
Who is responsible for maintaining a stormwater system and keeping records in Oakland County?
Property owners are responsible for completing all O&M tasks and keeping records for their stormwater system. Upon request, they must submit an Annual Stormwater System O&M Summary to the WRC’s Permitting Department, though the local community handles enforcement of O&M requirements under both the agreement and its own MS4 permit.
Does an Oakland County stormwater maintenance obligation transfer if a property is sold?
Yes. A Memorandum of Stormwater Management Operations and Maintenance Agreement gets recorded with the Register of Deeds, putting any future property owner or interest holder on notice of the stormwater system and its O&M plan. A copy of the recorded memorandum must be submitted to the WRC before the Drain Permit can be closed out.
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.
