City of Harlingen
City of Harlingen Public Works / Engineering
CityMS4 Phase IIVerified 2026-03
Local Permit / Authorization
- Permit Required
- Yes
- Permit Name
- Grading / Drainage Permit
- Submit To
- City of Harlingen Public Works / Engineering
- Lead Time
- Plan review typically 2–4 weeks
- Application Method
- Submit via City of Harlingen Building Department at 118 E. Tyler Ave., Harlingen, TX 78550 or contact city engineering
- 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 City of Harlingen Drainage Design Criteria; flat RGV topography requires pump-assisted drainage in low areas
- 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 Harlingen Drainage Design Criteria; Rio Grande Valley irrigation canals and the Cameron County Drainage District system are interconnected with urban stormwater
- Turbidity Standard
- No numeric NTU limit; discharges must comply with TCEQ TXR150000 and not degrade Arroyo Colorado or Rio Grande 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. Harlingen is in Cameron County in the Rio Grande Valley. The Arroyo Colorado — a natural Rio Grande distributary — flows through Harlingen and is classified as an impaired waterway by TCEQ (TMDL for bacteria). The interconnected irrigation and drainage canal system in the RGV creates a complex drainage environment. Hurricane season preparedness is important in this coastal-adjacent region.
Local Inspection Requirements
- Requirements
- City of Harlingen 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
Arroyo Colorado (Impaired Waterway)
Trigger: Development draining to the Arroyo Colorado
Restriction: TCEQ has established a TMDL for bacteria in the Arroyo Colorado; enhanced pathogen and pollution controls required; Arroyo Colorado is a state priority water quality concern for the Rio Grande Valley
Cameron County Irrigation / Drainage Districts
Trigger: Development in areas served by Cameron County Irrigation Districts (CCID) or Drainage Districts
Restriction: Cameron County Irrigation Districts control the network of canals that serve dual irrigation and drainage purposes; outfall connections to irrigation or drainage canals require district approval; do not introduce sediment into irrigation canals
FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area
Trigger: Development within FEMA-mapped 100-year floodplain
Restriction: Floodplain development permit required from City of Harlingen Floodplain Administrator; no net fill without compensatory storage
Design Manual
- Manual Name
- City of Harlingen Drainage Design Criteria
Official Resources
Jurisdiction Notes
Harlingen is a commercial hub city in Cameron County in the Rio Grande Valley, home to a major VA hospital, South Texas College of Law, and significant retail and medical industry. The city sits on the Arroyo Colorado, which is impaired for bacteria and subject to a TCEQ TMDL. The RGV's flat topography and interconnected irrigation/drainage canal network create a unique drainage management environment. The region is in one of the few areas where agricultural irrigation canals and urban stormwater drainage are directly interconnected.
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 Harlingen Public Works / Engineering and the agency website before beginning construction.