Pressure Washing in Tampa Bay: Storm Drains, HOAs & Water

In Pinellas County, wash water from pressure washing can't go into the street, a gutter or a storm drain; the county ordinance allows only stormwater, and violations can bring fines. Before you wash, check your local water-shortage restrictions and your HOA's rules, and ask any pro how they contain runoff.

Why storm drains matter

In Pinellas County, storm drains flow untreated toward creeks, lakes, Tampa Bay and the Gulf. County messaging is simple: only rain down the drain. See https://pinellas.gov/stormwater-runoff/

Pinellas County's rule

Pinellas County's stormwater ordinance (Chapter 58, Article VI) prohibits any discharge to the drainage system that is not composed entirely of stormwater. Contaminated wash water, detergents and construction materials may not enter the street, storm drain or gutter. The county's pressure-washing best-practices brochure states that violators may be fined up to $10,000 per day, plus cleanup costs (the county's published figure). Brochure: https://pinellas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Brochure_Power_Washing.pdf

Best practices from that brochure include dry clean-up first, blocking drains, containing wash water with berms or mats, pumping or vacuuming it up, using phosphate-free detergents, and—with the owner's permission—sending water to landscaping that will not run off to a storm drain. Do not wash when rain is likely.

Hillsborough, Tampa and Pasco

Confirm illicit-discharge and outdoor-wash rules with your city or county before you wash; local pages and shortage orders change.

Hillsborough County accepts reports of suspected illegal dumping or discharges into storm drains, curb inlets, ditches and related waters through its Water Atlas resources: https://hcfl.gov/residents/property-owners-and-renters/water-and-sewer/hillsborough-county-water-atlas
Pasco County publishes illicit-discharge detection and elimination training and stormwater pollution-prevention expectations for field work: https://www.pascocountyfl.net/services/public_works/training_programs/illicit_discharge_detection_and_elimination.php
When in doubt, keep wash water out of the street and storm system and ask your county stormwater office what applies at your address.

Water-shortage restrictions

The City of Tampa posts its current water-shortage status on https://www.tampa.gov/water. As of this writing, Tampa lists Modified Phase III — Extreme (effective April 3, 2026 on the city banner). The Southwest Florida Water Management District also posts regional shortage orders. Aesthetic or outdoor washing rules can change with the phase, so check the city or county page for your address on the day you wash rather than relying on an old notice.

HOA notices and rules

Many homeowners associations require clean roofs, walls and walks. Read your covenants and any notice for deadlines and allowed methods. This guide does not describe any specific HOA.

Doing it safely

Use lower pressure on wood, screens and stucco. Prefer phosphate-free detergent per Pinellas best practices. Avoid washing when rain is likely so contained water does not overflow into drains.

Questions to ask a pressure-washing pro

Ask how they block storm drains and contain runoff, which detergents they use, which surfaces need lower pressure, and get the scope in writing.

Find a local pro

Compare pressure-washing pros who serve Brandon, Wesley Chapel or Largo on Select The Service.

Pressure washing category: https://selecttheservice.com/services/pressure-washing
Brandon: https://selecttheservice.com/services/pressure-washing/fl/brandon
Wesley Chapel: https://selecttheservice.com/services/pressure-washing/fl/wesley-chapel
Largo: https://selecttheservice.com/services/pressure-washing/fl/largo

FAQ

Can pressure washing water go into the storm drain in Pinellas County?

No. Pinellas County's stormwater ordinance prohibits any discharge to the drainage system that isn't entirely stormwater, so wash water can't go into the street, gutter or storm drain.

What are the fines for pressure washing runoff in Pinellas County?

Pinellas County's pressure-washing brochure says violations of its stormwater ordinance may be fined up to $10,000 per day, plus cleanup costs.

Where should wash water go?

Pinellas County recommends containing it with berms or mats, then pumping or vacuuming it up. With the owner's permission, you can send it to landscaped areas that won't run off to a storm drain.

Are there water restrictions on pressure washing in Tampa?

Possibly. Tampa posts its current water-shortage status and restrictions on the city website, so check the rules in effect before you wash. Other cities and counties post their own.

Is biodegradable soap safe to wash into the street?

No. Pinellas County notes that biodegradable doesn't mean non-toxic, and soapy water can harm fish and wildlife within hours of reaching a storm drain.

What should I ask a pressure-washing pro?