City of Dallas
City of Dallas Department of Sustainable Development and Construction (SDC), Engineering Division
CityMS4 Phase IIVerified 2025-01
Local Permit / Authorization
- Permit Required
- Yes
- Permit Name
- City of Dallas Grading Permit + Drainage Plan Approval
- Submit To
- City of Dallas Department of Sustainable Development and Construction (SDC), Engineering Division
- Lead Time
- Plan review: 2–4 weeks for standard projects; larger projects or those near Trinity River Corridor may require additional review time
- Application Method
- Online via Dallas Development Portal (dallaspermits.com); paper submittals accepted at SDC offices
- Fee
- Grading permit fee based on disturbed area and project value; drainage plan review fee separate; fee schedule at DallasBuildingInspection.com
Water Quality Standards
- Impervious Cover Limit
- No citywide impervious cover cap; water quality controls required for projects disturbing ≥ 1 acre or creating ≥ 10,000 sq ft of impervious cover
- On-Site Treatment Required
- Yes
- Detention Required
- Yes
- Detention Standard
- Detention required for developments that increase peak runoff; must attenuate to pre-development 100-year storm rates per Dallas Floodplain Management Criteria; Trinity River Corridor projects have additional detention requirements
- Turbidity Standard
- No local numeric NTU limit; TCEQ TXR150000 narrative standard applies; City requires ESC controls on all grading plans
Local SWPPP / Drainage Plan
- Local Plan Required
- Yes
- Plan Name
- SWPPP per TCEQ + Erosion Control Plan required as part of grading permit
- PE Stamp Required
- Yes
Drainage and grading plans must be prepared and sealed by a Texas-licensed PE or registered landscape architect (RLA) where applicable. City reviews ESC plans as part of grading permit package. Trinity Watershed Management reviews projects in the Trinity River floodplain.
Local Inspection Requirements
- Requirements
- City of Dallas building inspectors conduct grading and drainage inspections. Trinity Watershed Management may inspect projects in or near the Trinity River Corridor. Final grading inspection required before Certificate of Occupancy.
- Inspector Qualification
- No additional local certification beyond TCEQ requirements; PE-of-record is responsible
Special Overlay Zones
Trinity River Corridor (TRC)
Trigger: Within the Trinity River floodplain, levee protection zones, or Trinity Parkway planning area
Restriction: Enhanced review by Trinity Watershed Management; USACE Section 404/Section 10 permits may apply; levee setbacks enforced; no fill in floodway; Trinity River Vision Authority coordinates major development
FEMA Floodplain / Floodway
Trigger: Within FEMA-mapped 100-year floodplain (Zone AE) or floodway
Restriction: No fill in floodway; compensatory storage required; City floodplain development permit required; Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) process applies for fill in flood zone
Elm Fork Floodplain
Trigger: Along Elm Fork of the Trinity River in northwest Dallas
Restriction: Additional City of Dallas floodplain management standards; coordination with US Army Corps of Engineers may be required
Design Manual
- Manual Name
- City of Dallas Stormwater Management Design Manual + Trinity Watershed Management Criteria
Official Resources
Jurisdiction Notes
Dallas stormwater requirements are primarily driven by the Trinity River watershed. The Trinity River Corridor is a major planning and regulatory overlay affecting a large portion of the city. Unlike Austin or San Antonio, Dallas does not have zone-based impervious cover limits, but water quality controls are required for larger projects. The USACE has significant jurisdiction over Trinity River and Elm Fork projects due to federal levee and floodway involvement.
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 Dallas Department of Sustainable Development and Construction (SDC), Engineering Division and the agency website before beginning construction.