Last Updated 08/14/2026
City of Reno and Truckee Meadows Stormwater Laws and Regulations
Excerpt- Washoe County Stormwater Handbook
Purpose and Intent
The Truckee Meadows Storm Water Permit Coordinating Committee (TMSWPCC) is responsible for implementing the Truckee Meadows Storm Water Management Program to protect the water quality of the region’s waterways, streams and the Truckee River. Training agency maintenance staff to incorporate best management practices and prevent pollutants from reaching the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) is an important part of that effort.
The Truckee Meadows Storm Water Permit Coordinating Committee has updated and joined the Structural Controls Design Manual and the Low Impact Development Manual, as well as updated the Truckee Meadows Construction Site BMP Handbook. These documents are referenced code for the Cities of Reno and Sparks and Washoe County. The City of Reno will be the first to update their ordinances, RMC 12.16.895 and RMC 18.12.405 to reflect the revised documents. The City of Sparks and Washoe County plan to update their codes in 2015-16 to incorporate references to the revised manuals.
*Two community workshops were held during summer of 2015 in cooperation with the Builders Association of Northern Nevada.
Final manuals being accepted by local governing bodies:
Excerpt- Truckee Meadows Regional Stormwater Quality Management Program
3.2.2.1 Developing a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
Section I.B.1 of the NV General Industrial Permit (Appendix A) requires owners of specific industrial and commercial businesses to complete and maintain a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) at the site. This SWPPP shall be prepared in accordance with good engineering practices and shall consist of site specific information (e.g. business and owners name and address, site map, etc.), the Best Management Practices (BMPs) to be used on site, inspection and maintenance procedures, a list of any potential non-storm water discharges, and a description of permanent storm water treatment controls used at the site (Section I.B.3).
3.2.2.3 SWPPP Maintenance, Update and Review Procedures
The SWPPP is a living document that should always be maintained to reflect the current status of the facility and the efforts being made to prevent storm water pollution. The success of the SWPPP depends on careful implementation of inspection, monitoring and maintenance procedures as well as regular evaluations and updates to ensure that the provisions of the plan continue to be effective.
A maintenance program for storm water structural treatment controls must be developed within the SWPPP, and carried out by qualified personnel. Mechanical equipment must be regularly maintained, and other structural controls should be inspected frequently to ensure effective operation. Records should be kept of maintenance schedules and estimated volumes of solids removed from catch basins and sediment ponds.
Employee education and training is also an important part of SWPPP maintenance. It is important that employees understand the purpose of the SWPPP and how to prevent pollution by following its guidelines. Individuals carrying out storm water sampling and monitoring activities must be trained in the proper techniques and protocols to ensure that samples are not contaminated, and valuable data is collected. Training should be conducted at least once per year, and records of training activities should be kept.
View State Page
Frequently Asked Questions
Who administers post-construction stormwater compliance in Reno and Truckee Meadows?
The Truckee Meadows Storm Water Permit Coordinating Committee, or TMSWPCC, implements the Truckee Meadows Storm Water Management Program to protect the water quality of the region’s waterways, streams, and the Truckee River.
What records do I need to keep for stormwater maintenance in Reno and Truckee Meadows?
Records of maintenance schedules and estimated volumes of solids removed from catch basins and sediment ponds must be kept as part of ongoing SWPPP compliance.
How can AQUALIS help with post-construction stormwater compliance in Reno and Truckee Meadows?
AQUALIS develops and maintains the SWPPP maintenance program structural controls require, performs the regular inspections needed to keep mechanical and structural BMPs functioning, tracks maintenance and solids removal records, and coordinates annual training documentation to keep the SWPPP current and audit ready.
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.
