Drainageways & Public Easments

What Is a Drainageway?

A drainageway is a channel designed to carry stormwater away from homes and property. Drainageways are typically located on City-owned land. In some cases, they run through private property within a public drainage easement.

Maintaining Public Easements

Property owners whose land includes a drainage easement are responsible for keeping it clear. Under City Ordinance Section 157.117, no trees, shrubs, landscaping, fences, or other permanent structures may be placed within the easement. Lawn grass is permitted and must be mowed on a regular basis. Annual vegetation may also be grown within the easement.

Please note: The City is not responsible for repairing, replacing, or reconstructing landscaping, trees, shrubs, fences, structures, or privately owned sprinkler systems that are damaged during the operation or maintenance of a drainageway.

Litter and Debris

The City works to keep all City-owned drainage channels clean and free of debris, and asks residents for their cooperation.

• Leaf litter and grass clippings should not be discarded in open channels. This material reduces the carrying capacity of the channel and increases pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphate in the runoff. These substances are especially harmful to aquatic life when concentrated in large amounts.
• Disposing of yard waste in a drainage channel constitutes littering under City Ordinance Section 57.002.
• City crews perform maintenance operations throughout the year. Property owners are asked to promptly remove any debris or obstructions so that scheduled maintenance may proceed without delay.
• The City encourages all residents to consider the environmental impact of their actions and to help maintain a clean, safe community.