Stormwater Permits

HRPDC staff supports local governments in the administration and compliance with stormwater permits administered by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for stormwater discharges from municipal separate stormwater sewers (MS4). MS4s are owned by the locality and consist of the road drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, manmade channels and storm drains designed to collect and convey stormwater. MS4s are not connected to the wastewater collection and treatment system.

DEQ administers the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) through the VSMP regulations authorized by the Virginia Stormwater Management Act. Through the program, DEQ issues and enforces permits to control stormwater from MS4s and other sources. MS4 permit regulations were developed and implemented in two phases; the applicability of Phase I and Phase II regulations is based on population and urbanized area.

Localities Subject to the requirements of the Phase I Stormwater Permit Regulations

Six localities in Hampton Roads are subject to the requirements of the Phase I Stormwater Permit Regulations and are authorized to discharge stormwater from their MS4s under VSMP Individual Permits:

Localities Subject to the Requirements of the Phase II Stormwater Permit Regulations

Five localities in Hampton Roads are subject to the requirements of the Phase II Stormwater Permit Regulations and are authorized to discharge stormwater from their MS4s under the VSMP General Permit:

  • City of Poquoson
  • City of Suffolk
  • City of Williamsburg
  • James City County
  • York County