Compare Regulations
Compare state baseline against local requirements in a single view
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Compare state baseline against local requirements in a single view
Rows with an amber indicator differ across selections.
| Field | State Texas TCEQ | Local Hays County (Unincorporated) Hays County Development Services |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | ||
| Permit / Authorization | Construction General Permit (TXR150000) | Floodplain Development Permit / Drainage Review |
| Submit To | TCEQ | Hays County Development Services |
| Lead Time | Must file NOI and receive authorization before construction begins | Plan review typically 2–4 weeks |
| Application Method | Online via TCEQ Water Quality ePay system | Submit via Hays County Development Services at 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 1033, San Marcos, TX 78666 or online portal at hayscountytx.com |
| Fee | $325 for projects disturbing < 5 acres; $525 for ≥ 5 acres | Contact agency for current fee schedule |
| Water Quality | ||
| Impervious Cover Limit | No statewide limit | Portions of unincorporated Hays County are within the Edwards Aquifer Recharge and Contributing Zones — EAA permit required for development over the aquifer; impervious cover caps apply as required by EAA rules |
| On-Site Treatment Required | Not specified at state level | No |
| Detention Required | Not specified at state level | Yes — Detention required to limit post-development peak flows to pre-development levels for 2-, 5-, 10-, 25-, and 100-year storms per Hays County Drainage Design Standards; applies in unincorporated areas and ETJs where cities lack their own standards |
| Turbidity / Discharge Standard | Not specified in CGP; discharges must not cause or contribute to violations of water quality standards | No numeric NTU limit; discharges must comply with TCEQ TXR150000 and not degrade Blanco River, Onion Creek, Plum Creek, or San Marcos River |
| SWPPP | ||
| SWPPP / Local Plan Required | Yes | Yes — SWPPP per TCEQ TXR150000; drainage report required for county permits |
| PE Stamp Required | No | Yes |
| Inspections | ||
| Inspection Requirements | Every 14 days and within 24 hours of a rainfall event producing ≥ 0.5 inches | Hays County Development Services inspects development in unincorporated areas. County capacity has been stressed by rapid growth. |
| Inspector Qualification | Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Inspector — no state license required but must be knowledgeable | No county-specific certification required beyond TCEQ SWPPP requirements |
| Design & Zones | ||
| Local Design Manual | N/A — state level | Hays County Drainage Design Standards |
| Special Overlay Zones | N/A — see local jurisdictions | Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, Blanco River Floodplain, Onion Creek Floodplain, City ETJ Areas |