Last Updated 06/24/2026
Fairbanks Urbanized Area Stormwater Laws & Regulations
Fairbanks Urbanized Area regulations are compliant with the Alaska Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (APDES) permit requirements for the area’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) under two APDES permits (AKS-053414 and AKS-053406). The City of Fairbanks, the City of North Pole, Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB), and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) have collaborated to create nearly identical storm water management plans within the Fairbanks Urbanized Area. Because of this collaboration, each agency follows the same basic plan, but have separate areas of jurisdiction and project review authority.
Four (4) co-permittees have jurisdiction over the Fairbanks Urbanized Area:
The Fairbanks Urbanized Area Storm Water Management Agency Review & Project Submittal Requirements handout was drafted by the collaborating agencies in order to alleviate any confusion in terms of jurisdiction and submittal requirements. After determining which agency has jurisdiction over your area of operation, review the agency-specific requirements here. (City of Fairbanks, City of North Pole, Fairbanks North Star Borough, State of Alaska/ADEC)
EXCERPT- Fairbanks Storm Water Management Program, 2015
In 2005 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandated local government agencies in Fairbanks develop, implement, and enforce a Storm Water Management Program to control pollutants in storm water being discharged from their storm drain systems to local water bodies.
In response…the Fairbanks North Star Borough, City of Fairbanks, City of North Pole, Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, and University of Alaska Fairbanks (each owning segments of storm drain system in the Fairbanks area) teamed up to create the program and collectively tackle storm water pollution. The program’s focus is to improve the water quality of the Chena River, Noyes Slough, Chena Slough, and all other water bodies to which storm water discharges in the Fairbanks area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which agencies have jurisdiction over stormwater in the Fairbanks Urbanized Area?
Four co-permittees share jurisdiction: the City of Fairbanks, the City of North Pole, the Fairbanks North Star Borough, and the State of Alaska. Each follows the same basic stormwater management plan, but has its own area of jurisdiction and project review authority, so the specific agency a property falls under depends on its location within the urbanized area.
What permits govern the Fairbanks Urbanized Area's storm sewer system?
The area operates under two Alaska Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System permits, AKS-053414 and AKS-053406, covering the region’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. These permits reflect a collaborative effort among the four co-permittees and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to create nearly identical stormwater management plans across jurisdictions.
Why was the Fairbanks Storm Water Management Program created?
The EPA mandated in 2005 that local government agencies in Fairbanks develop, implement, and enforce a program to control pollutants in stormwater discharged from their storm drain systems into local water bodies. In response, the Fairbanks North Star Borough, City of Fairbanks, City of North Pole, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, and University of Alaska Fairbanks, each of which owns a segment of the area’s storm drain system, teamed up to build the program together.
Which water bodies does the Fairbanks stormwater program aim to protect?
The program’s focus is improving water quality in the Chena River, Noyes Slough, Chena Slough, and any other water body receiving stormwater discharge from the Fairbanks area.
How does a property owner know which Fairbanks agency handles their stormwater review?
Since jurisdiction is split among four co-permittees, the collaborating agencies published a Storm Water Management Agency Review and Project Submittal Requirements guide to clarify which agency, whether the City of Fairbanks, City of North Pole, Fairbanks North Star Borough, or the State of Alaska, applies to a given property, along with that agency’s specific submittal requirements.
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.
