City of Waco
City of Waco Public Works / Engineering Department
CityMS4 Phase IIVerified 2026-03
Local Permit / Authorization
- Permit Required
- Yes
- Permit Name
- Grading / Drainage Permit
- Submit To
- City of Waco Public Works / Engineering Department
- Lead Time
- Plan review typically 2–4 weeks
- Application Method
- Submit via City of Waco Development Services at 300 Austin Ave., Waco, TX 76701 or online via city 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; Lake Waco watershed areas may have additional water quality requirements
- 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 Waco Drainage Design Criteria Manual
- Turbidity Standard
- No numeric NTU limit; discharges must comply with TCEQ TXR150000 and not degrade Brazos River, Lake Waco, or North Bosque River 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 report prepared by a Texas PE required for grading permits. Lake Waco serves as a primary drinking water supply for the region — projects in the contributing watershed should implement enhanced water quality BMPs to minimize nutrients and turbidity reaching the lake.
Local Inspection Requirements
- Requirements
- City of Waco Public Works inspects grading permits at rough grading, drainage infrastructure installation, and final stabilization. Spring severe weather season requires active BMP maintenance.
- Inspector Qualification
- No city-specific certification required beyond TCEQ SWPPP requirements
Special Overlay Zones
Lake Waco Watershed Protection Area
Trigger: Development within the contributing watershed to Lake Waco, a City of Waco drinking water supply reservoir
Restriction: Enhanced water quality BMPs required; minimize nutrients, sediment, and hydrocarbon loading; coordinate with Brazos River Authority (BRA) for projects with significant watershed impact
Brazos River Floodplain
Trigger: Development within FEMA-mapped 100-year floodplain along the Brazos River and tributaries
Restriction: Floodplain development permit required from City of Waco Floodplain Administrator; no net fill without compensatory storage; USACE coordination required for work in or near the Brazos River channel
North Bosque River Watershed
Trigger: Development in portions of the watershed contributing to the North Bosque River and Lake Waco
Restriction: The North Bosque is impaired for nutrients (primarily from nonpoint sources); construction stormwater controls must address fertilizer and organic matter runoff in addition to sediment
Design Manual
- Manual Name
- City of Waco Drainage Design Criteria Manual
Official Resources
Jurisdiction Notes
Waco is experiencing significant growth and reinvestment, partly driven by Baylor University expansion and regional economic development. The city's location on the Brazos River and proximity to Lake Waco means stormwater quality is a priority. The Brazos River Authority (BRA) manages Lake Waco and may require coordination for projects with significant watershed impact. Waco sits in the Texas Tornado Alley — spring severe weather season (March–May) requires robust BMP maintenance programs.
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 Waco Public Works / Engineering Department and the agency website before beginning construction.