Stormwater Licence
Unsure if you need a stormwater licence? We’re here to help. Call us on 07 348 4199 to book a site visit with a stormwater quality officer.
Stormwater should be clean rainwater. However, in urban, farming, and forestry areas, it can easily become polluted by contaminants. This pollution can harm our freshwater ecosystems and make waterways unsafe for aquatic life and for people to use and enjoy.
Healthy waterways are also important for cultural practices, including ahikaroa, kaitiakitanga, and mahinga kai.
This webpage explains who needs a stormwater licence, how to apply, and what your responsibilities are. If you have any questions about the process, please contact Council on 07 348 4199 and ask to speak with a stormwater quality officer.
Who needs a stormwater licence?
A stormwater licence is required for any site that may pose a risk to stormwater quality
You need a stormwater licence if:
- Your site is in an industrial zone
OR
- You carry out an industrial activity (refer to the industrial risk activities table)
OR
- Your site poses a risk to stormwater, e.g. :You have over 300 m² unsealed yard areas (exposed soil/gravel area)
OR
- You have over 300 m² galvanised iron roofing on your buildings
You do NOT need a licence if your site does not meet ANY of the above requirements.
A temporary stormwater licence is required for:
- Sites undertaking dewatering during development.
- A licence is required for approval to discharge to the stormwater network. If the site is a contaminated (HAIL site) or you will be using a flocculant, resource consent is required from BOPRC prior to dewatering commencing.
How to apply
Download the stormwater licence application form (fillable PDF, 148 KB). You can either complete it digitally or print it, fill it in, and return it via:
- Email:
attach the form and email to info@rotorualc.nz - In person:
drop off your printed completed form at the Customer Centre, 1061 Haupapa Street - Mail:
Rotorua Lakes Council
DX Mailbox number (JX 10503)
Rotorua 3046
Risk assessment process
The application process includes a risk assessment to evaluate the potential impact your site and activities may have on stormwater quality. There are two parts to this:
- The site risk assessment evaluates the risk posed by the site and buildings.
Large unsealed areas may allow sediment to be washed off-site during rainfall, while a large galvanised iron roof can generate stormwater with elevated zinc (Zn) concentrations that are highly toxic to aquatic ecosystems. - The activity risk assessment evaluates the risk associated with the activities carried out on the site.
High Risk and Moderate Risk sites are required to submit a Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP) and a Stormwater Drainage Plan.
You can refer to our activity table to identify the stormwater risk level associated with your specific activities.
Application process
After you submit your application, we will review it. One of our stormwater team members will contact you if more information is needed.
- We'll carry out a risk assessment of your site to determine the level of risk to stormwater quality.
- Once we have received all the information we need, we will send you an invoice by email.
- Pay the application fee online or at our front desk.
View current fees and charges - Once payment has been received, the stormwater licence will be emailed to the applicant.
Renewing a licence
Moderate and high-risk licences are renewed at the start of each financial year. Low-risk licences are valid indefinitely.
You will receive a renewal invoice by email from Council in May or June each year. Once payment has been received, your renewed licence will be sent to you.
Your responsibilities as a licence holder:
Managing your site
As a licence holder, you are legally responsible for managing your site to ensure stormwater leaving your property is clean and does not affect water quality in Rotorua’s waterways, lakes, and ecosystems.
All high and moderate risk sites must provide a seperate Pollution Prevention Plan and a site drainage plan that includes all relevant Best Management Practices (BMPs).
If you want a better understanding of stormwater management on your site, or would like to discuss your situation in person, contact Rotorua Lakes Council on 07 348 4199 to arrange a visit from a stormwater quality officer.
PERMITTED STORMWATER DISCHARGE CHARACTERISTICS | |||
Water Quality Parameter | Unit | Water Quality Parameter | Unit |
Total Suspended Solids | 150 mg/L | Dissolved copper | 0.017 mg/L |
E.Coli | Atypical | Dissolved lead | 0.056 mg/L |
pH | ≤6 and ≥9 | Dissolved zinc from site | 0.36 mg/L |
Total petroleum hydrocarbons | 15 mg/L | Dissolved zinc from roof >300m2 | 0.72 mg/L |
Chemical oxygen demand | 250 mg/L | Dissolved mercury | 0.019 mg/L |
Total iron | 4.3 mg/L | Dissolved cadmium | 0.004 mg/L |
Dissolved chromium | 0.06 mg/L | ||
No conspicuous oil or grease films, scums or foams or floatable material | |||
Not include any wastes from a trade or industrial process | |||
*High zinc loads originate from galvanised roofing.
Following Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Best Management Practices (BMPs) are simple, everyday actions that help prevent harmful substances from entering the stormwater system. These include carrying out high‑risk activities indoors or under cover, keeping your site tidy, storing chemicals correctly, using drip trays, and ensuring wastewater is disposed of properly - never into a stormwater drain.
Using a Pollution Prevention Plan
A Pollution Prevention Plan is a simple written document that outlines the hazardous materials on your site, where they are stored, the cleaning processes you use, and what staff must do to prevent spills from reaching drains or waterways. It also identifies who is responsible in an emergency and how staff are trained to respond.
You must actively follow the Best Management Practices (BMPs) described in your plan at all times - not just during inspections or audits. This includes:
- Identifying potential contaminants. This could be related to the activity you carry out on site, or site related contaminants – sediment from unsealed areas, and zinc from galvanised roofing.
- Outline the way you will ensure that contaminants do not wash off your site in stormwater.
- Keep contaminants contained, indoors or undercover and away from stormwater drains at all times.
- Ensure all staff working on site understand and follow the BMPs in your plan
- Review and update your Pollution Prevention Plan if your activities, materials, or site layout change
- Keeping records of your site inspections, spills, maintenance, and any corrective actions taken
Develop a Site Drainage Plan
A Site Drainage Plan is a simple map or diagram of your property showing how stormwater flows across and off your site during rain. It should include buildings, note sealed and unsealed surfaces, pipes and drain locations, and points where water exits the property. This can be a clear, hand-drawn sketch or engineering drawing.
Allow Council access for audits and sampling
Audits - All sites that hold a high-risk stormwater licence will be audited annually. This will include checking your pollution prevention plan, stormwater drainage plan, site practices, and any pre-treatment devices.
Sampling - High-risk sites will be visited for water sampling, which will be carried out periodically during rain events. The cost of periodic sampling and analysis is included in your annual licence renewal charge; this fee covers stormwater sampling from one discharge point on your site and one annual audit.
Please note: additional monitoring charges may apply if stormwater leaving your site exceeds the permitted discharge characteristics, or if your site discharges stormwater from more than one point.
Moderate and low-risk sites may be monitored periodically, particularly if water quality concerns are identified downstream of your site. If monitoring shows that stormwater leaving your site exceeds the permitted discharge characteristics, you will be charged for the cost of that monitoring. Your risk assessment and licence category may also be reviewed and escalated if non-compliance is identified.
The sample(s) collected from your site (High, Moderate, and Low risk) may be assessed for visual clarity and may be analysed for total suspended solids and other potential contaminants, such as pathogens, total petroleum hydrocarbons, and heavy metals, depending on your site and the activities carried out on your site.
Report spills and incidents immediately
If a spill, leak or accidental discharge occurs on your site, you must act immediately to stop it, clean it up and report it to Council. Do not hose spills toward drains. Use dry clean-up methods (absorbent, broom, dry sweep) first.
Keep stormwater separate from trade waste
Any liquid waste from a trade or industrial process, including washwater, cooling water, process rinse water, and condensate, must not enter the stormwater network. These are trade wastes and must be discharged to the sewer network with a trade waste consent.
Treat contaminated stormwater before discharge
If stormwater on your site comes into contact with industrial activities, materials, or chemicals, it may become contaminated and must be treated before it discharges from your site. Appropriate treatment methods include oil-water separators, sediment traps, bunding, or constructed wetlands, depending on the contaminants present. Stormwater cannot be discharged to sewer.
If water from your site is contaminated
Rotorua Lakes Council monitors water quality and if water is found to be contaminated, will conduct investigations to find the source of the contamination, which may include inspecting and sampling stormwater from your site.
If there are no issues with stormwater quality, there will be no charge for this sampling. If the stormwater leaving your site is found to be contaminated, the cost of inspecting and sampling may be passed on to the Stormwater licence holder operating on the site.
Rotorua Lakes Council will work with you to help you identify and remedy any contamination. If the risk remains high, then Bay of Plenty Regional Council will be informed. Continuing to discharge contaminants is an offence under the Resource Management Act that may be subject to prosecution.
