City of Edinburg
City of Edinburg Public Works / Engineering
CityMS4 Phase IIVerified 2026-03
Local Permit / Authorization
- Permit Required
- Yes
- Permit Name
- Grading / Drainage Permit
- Submit To
- City of Edinburg Public Works / Engineering
- Lead Time
- Plan review typically 2–4 weeks
- Application Method
- Submit via City of Edinburg Engineering at 415 W. University Dr., Edinburg, TX 78539 or online portal at cityofedinburg.com
- 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 Edinburg Drainage Design Criteria; Hidalgo County drainage district requirements apply for county-maintained channels
- On-Site Treatment Required
- No
- Detention Required
- Yes
- Detention Standard
- Detention required to limit post-development peak flows to pre-development levels for 2-, 10-, and 100-year storms per City of Edinburg Drainage Design Criteria; flat RGV topography requires pump stations in some areas
- Turbidity Standard
- No numeric NTU limit; discharges must comply with TCEQ TXR150000 and not degrade Hidalgo County drainage system or Rio Grande tributaries
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. Edinburg is the seat of Hidalgo County and home to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), which generates significant institutional construction. Hidalgo County Drainage Districts manage the canal infrastructure. The city is the government and medical center for the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro area.
Local Inspection Requirements
- Requirements
- City of Edinburg Public Works inspects grading permits at rough grading and final stabilization.
- Inspector Qualification
- No city-specific certification required beyond TCEQ SWPPP requirements
Special Overlay Zones
Hidalgo County Drainage Districts
Trigger: Development connecting to Hidalgo County Drainage District maintained canals and channels
Restriction: Outfall connection approval required from applicable Hidalgo County Drainage District; district criteria apply; irrigation and drainage canals often share infrastructure in the RGV
FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area
Trigger: Development within FEMA-mapped 100-year floodplain
Restriction: Floodplain development permit required from City of Edinburg Floodplain Administrator; no net fill without compensatory storage
UTRGV Campus Zone
Trigger: Construction on or immediately adjacent to University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (Edinburg campus) property
Restriction: Coordinate with UTRGV Facilities Management for drainage plan review; university institutional stormwater program applies on campus
Design Manual
- Manual Name
- City of Edinburg Drainage Design Criteria
Official Resources
Jurisdiction Notes
Edinburg is the seat of Hidalgo County and the largest city in the McAllen metropolitan area by county seat status, though McAllen is larger by population. The city is home to UTRGV, a growing research university. The Rio Grande Valley is one of Texas's fastest-growing regions, with significant commercial and residential development. The flat alluvial plain topography and interconnected irrigation/drainage canal system of the RGV create a unique stormwater management environment. Hidalgo County has multiple drainage districts with independent jurisdiction over canal systems.
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 Edinburg Public Works / Engineering and the agency website before beginning construction.