City of Richardson
City of Richardson Development Services
CityMS4 Phase IIVerified 2026-03
Local Permit / Authorization
- Permit Required
- Yes
- Permit Name
- Grading / Drainage Permit
- Submit To
- City of Richardson Development Services
- Lead Time
- Plan review typically 2–4 weeks
- Application Method
- Submit via City of Richardson Development Services at 411 W. Arapaho Rd., Richardson, TX 75080 or online portal
- 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 Richardson Engineering Standards; city is largely built out with redevelopment as primary land use change
- 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 Richardson Drainage Design Standards; redevelopment projects must demonstrate no increase in impervious cover runoff impact
- Turbidity Standard
- No numeric NTU limit; discharges must comply with TCEQ TXR150000 and not degrade Duck Creek, Cottonwood Creek, or Spring Creek
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. Richardson is a mature, largely built-out telecom/tech suburb (the 'Telecom Corridor') where most construction involves redevelopment or densification. Infill development must carefully manage drainage to avoid increasing runoff to surrounding developed properties.
Local Inspection Requirements
- Requirements
- City of Richardson Development Services inspects grading permits at rough grading and final stabilization.
- Inspector Qualification
- No city-specific certification required beyond TCEQ SWPPP requirements
Special Overlay Zones
Duck Creek Greenbelt Corridor
Trigger: Development adjacent to Duck Creek and its tributaries, which form greenbelt corridors through the city
Restriction: Floodplain development permit required; greenway preservation areas limit encroachment; erosion of creek banks is a community concern requiring riparian buffer protection
FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area
Trigger: Development within FEMA-mapped 100-year floodplain
Restriction: Floodplain development permit required from City of Richardson Floodplain Administrator; no net fill without compensatory storage
Design Manual
- Manual Name
- City of Richardson Engineering Standards
Official Resources
Jurisdiction Notes
Richardson is home to the Telecom Corridor, a concentration of technology and telecommunications companies along US-75. The city is largely built out and construction activity is predominantly redevelopment, densification, or tenant improvement. The Duck Creek greenbelt system provides valuable open space and drainage function. Richardson spans both Dallas and Collin counties. The city has a well-established stormwater program with active illicit discharge detection and elimination efforts.
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 Richardson Development Services and the agency website before beginning construction.