[Objective] The determination method for total annual runoff volume is investigated in order to provide a new idea for the determination of control index of sponge city construction. [Methods] Combining with the relevant standards and research achievements in the construction of sponge city in China, the rationality about the method to determine the total annual runoff volume control at present are analyzed. Hefei City was taken as an case to discuss relevant problems using typical hydrological year method, long-term runoff serials method, runoff coefficient method and daily water balance method. The effect of variation of runoff control rate on control targets and the actual rainfall control of rainwater storage facilities in different scales were explored. [Results] This paper proposes a typical hydrological year method, and finds that the runoff control rate cannot be unlimitedly reduced with the rise of total annual runoff volume control target. The effective volume of rainwater utilization can be used to check the suitable range of total annual runoff control. [Conclusion] The typical hydrological year method, combining well with the design return period of rainwater system and its application in studing actual rain volume control, provides a new idea for the determination of runoff volume control in sponge city construction.