City of College Station
City of College Station Public Works / Development Services
CityMS4 Phase IIVerified 2026-03
Local Permit / Authorization
- Permit Required
- Yes
- Permit Name
- Grading / Drainage Permit
- Submit To
- City of College Station Public Works / Development Services
- Lead Time
- Plan review typically 2–4 weeks; concurrent review available
- Application Method
- Submit via City of College Station online permitting portal (COCSOnline) or in person at 1101 Texas Ave., College Station, TX 77840
- Fee
- Contact agency for current fee schedule
Water Quality Standards
- Impervious Cover Limit
- No citywide impervious cover cap; drainage systems must accommodate design storm flows per College Station Drainage Policy and Design Standards
- On-Site Treatment Required
- No
- Detention Required
- Yes
- Detention Standard
- Detention required to limit post-development peak flows to pre-development levels for 2-, 5-, 10-, 25-, and 100-year storms per College Station Drainage Policy and Design Standards; post-construction water quality controls required for sites disturbing ≥1 acre
- Turbidity Standard
- No numeric NTU limit; discharges must comply with TCEQ TXR150000 and not degrade Navasota River or downstream water quality
Local SWPPP / Drainage Plan
- Local Plan Required
- Yes
- Plan Name
- SWPPP per TCEQ TXR150000; drainage report required for local permit
- PE Stamp Required
- Yes
Drainage study prepared by a Texas PE required for grading permits. College Station is a university town with ongoing major construction from Texas A&M University, which has its own institutional stormwater program. Contractors must coordinate with both city and university requirements for projects on or near the A&M campus.
Local Inspection Requirements
- Requirements
- City of College Station Public Works inspects grading permits at rough grading, drainage infrastructure installation, and final stabilization. Texas A&M University maintains its own inspection program for on-campus projects.
- Inspector Qualification
- No city-specific certification required beyond TCEQ SWPPP requirements
Special Overlay Zones
Navasota River Watershed
Trigger: Development contributing runoff to the Navasota River and its tributaries
Restriction: Water quality controls required; coordinate with Brazos River Authority for projects with significant watershed impact
FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)
Trigger: Development within FEMA-mapped 100-year floodplain
Restriction: Floodplain development permit required from City of College Station Floodplain Administrator; no net fill without compensatory storage
Texas A&M University Campus Zone
Trigger: Construction on or immediately adjacent to Texas A&M University property
Restriction: Coordinate with Texas A&M University Facilities Planning & Construction for drainage plan review and stormwater compliance; A&M may impose additional institutional requirements
Design Manual
- Manual Name
- City of College Station Drainage Policy and Design Standards
Official Resources
Jurisdiction Notes
College Station is home to Texas A&M University, one of the largest universities in the United States, which generates significant ongoing construction activity with its own institutional TPDES permit. The Bryan-College Station metro is growing rapidly. The city is located in the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion where sandy soils can create rapid infiltration or significant erosion depending on saturation. Spring severe weather season requires active stormwater BMP maintenance.
Remember: These local requirements are in addition to the TCEQ state construction permit. Both must be satisfied before breaking ground.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general reference only. Always verify requirements directly with City of College Station Public Works / Development Services and the agency website before beginning construction.