The purpose of this chapter is to ensure the environmental and public health, safety, and general welfare of the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors of the City of Carlsbad by:
A. 
Prohibiting non-stormwater discharges to the stormwater conveyance system.
B. 
Eliminating discharges to the stormwater conveyance system from spills, dumping or disposal of materials other than stormwater or permitted or exempted discharges.
C. 
Reducing pollutants in stormwater discharges to the maximum extent practicable, including those pollutants taken up by stormwater as it flows over urban areas (urban runoff).
D. 
Reducing pollutants in stormwater discharges in order to achieve applicable water quality objectives for receiving waters within the City of Carlsbad.
The intent of this chapter is to protect and enhance the water quality of the City of Carlsbad receiving waters and wetlands in a manner pursuant to and consistent with the Clean Water Act and municipal permit.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
When used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
"Clean Water Act"
means the Federal Water Pollution Control Act enacted by Public Law 92-500, as amended by Public Laws 95-217, 95-576, 96-483, and 95-117 (33 USCA Section 1251 et seq.), and any subsequent amendments.
"County Health Officer"
means the Health Officer of the County of San Diego Department of Public Health or designee.
"Employee training program"
means a documented employee training program for all persons responsible for implementing a stormwater pollution prevention plan. The employee training program shall include, but is not limited to, the following topics:
1. 
Laws, regulations, and local ordinances associated with stormwater pollution prevention, and an overview of the potential impacts of polluted stormwater on the receiving waters of the San Diego region;
2. 
Proper handling of all materials and wastes to prevent spillage;
3. 
Mitigation of spills including spill response, containment and cleanup procedures;
4. 
Visual monitoring of all effluent streams to ensure illicit discharges do not enter the stormwater conveyance system;
5. 
Discussion of the differences between the stormwater conveyance system and the sanitary sewer system;
6. 
Identification of all on-site connections to the stormwater conveyance system;
7. 
Preventive maintenance and good housekeeping procedures;
8. 
Material management practices employed by the facility to reduce or eliminate pollutant contact with stormwater discharge; and
9. 
Documentation of training and records detailing dates, time, subjects covered and attendance.
"Enforcement agency"
means the City of Carlsbad or its authorized agents charged with ensuring compliance with this chapter.
"Enforcement official"
means the City Manager of the City of Carlsbad or designee.
"Hazardous materials"
means any substance or mixture of substances which is toxic, corrosive, flammable, an irritant, a strong sensitizer, or generates pressure through decomposition, heat or other means, if such a substance or mixture of substances may cause, or contribute to, substantial injury, serious illness or harm to humans, domestic livestock, wildlife, or deterioration of receiving water quality or the environment.
"Illegal discharge"
means any discharge to the stormwater conveyance system that is not composed entirely of stormwater, or is expressly prohibited by federal, state, or local regulations, laws, codes, or ordinances, or degrades the quality of receiving waters in violation of any NPDES permit, the basin plan and California ocean plan standards.
"Parking lot"
means an open area, other than a street or other public way, used for the parking of motorized vehicles, whether for a fee or free, to accommodate clients or customers or to accommodate residents of multi-family dwellings (i.e., apartments, condominiums, townhomes, mobile homes, dormitories, group quarters, etc.).
"Person"
means any individual, organization, business trust, company, partnership, entity, firm, association, corporation, or public agency, including the State of California and the United States of America.
"Premises"
means any building, lot parcel, real estate, land or portion of land whether improved or unimproved.
"Responsible party"
means one or more persons that control, are in possession of or own property that shall be individually or, jointly and severally held responsible for compliance with the provision of this chapter or with any illicit discharge from property controlled, possessed or owned. As defined in this chapter, "property" includes, but is not limited to, real estate, fixtures, facilities or premises of any kind located upon, under or above the real estate. This definition of responsible party does not include the city when an illicit discharge is caused by a person on a public street or on public property.
"Wetlands"
means areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground waters at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
The enforcement official shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of this chapter. Any powers granted to, or duties imposed upon, the enforcement official may be delegated by the enforcement official to persons in the employ of the City of Carlsbad, or pursuant to contract. When deemed necessary by the enforcement official, the enforcement official shall prepare and present to the City Council for approval regulations consistent with the general policies established herein by the City Council. The enforcement official shall enforce council approved regulations necessary to the administration of this chapter, and may recommend that the council amend such regulations as conditions require.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
This chapter shall be interpreted to assure consistency with the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act, applicable implementing regulations, and municipal permit.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
The discharge of non-stormwater discharges to the stormwater conveyance system or to any other conveyance system which discharges into receiving water is prohibited, including, but not limited to:
A. 
Sewage;
B. 
Discharges of washwater resulting from the hosing or cleaning of gas stations, auto repair garages, or other types of automotive services facilities;
C. 
Discharges resulting from the cleaning, repair, or maintenance of any type of equipment, machinery, or facility including motor vehicles, cement-related equipment, and port-a-potty servicing, etc.;
D. 
Discharges of washwater from mobile operations such as mobile automobile washing, steam cleaning, power washing, and carpet cleaning, etc.;
E. 
Discharges of washwater from the cleaning or hosing of impervious surfaces in municipal, industrial, commercial, and residential areas including parking lots, streets, sidewalks, driveways, patios, plazas, work yards and outdoor eating or drinking areas, etc.;
F. 
Discharges of runoff from material storage areas containing chemicals, fuels, grease, oil, or other hazardous materials;
G. 
Discharges of pool or fountain water containing chlorine, algaecides, biocides, or other chemicals; discharges of pool or fountain filter backwash water;
H. 
Discharges of saline swimming pool water unless such discharge can be discharged via a pipe or concrete channel directly to a naturally saline water body (e.g., Pacific Ocean);
I. 
Discharges of sediment, pet waste, vegetation clippings, or other landscape or construction-related wastes; and
J. 
Discharges of food-related wastes (e.g., grease, fish processing, and restaurant kitchen mat and trash bin wash water, etc.).
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008; Ord. CS-278, 2015)
A. 
The prohibition on discharges shall not apply to any discharge regulated under a NPDES permit issued to the discharger and administered by the State of California pursuant to Chapter 5.5, Division 7, of the California Water Code, provided that the discharger is in compliance with all requirements of the permit and other applicable laws and regulations. Proof of compliance with such permit may be required in a form acceptable to the city prior to or as a condition of a subdivision map, site plan, building permit, or development improvement plan; upon inspection of the facility; during any enforcement proceeding or action; or for any other reasonable cause.
B. 
Non-stormwater discharges to the MS4 from the following categories of non-stormwater discharges are allowed if the discharger obtains coverage under NPDES Permit No. CAG919002 (RWQCB Order No. R9-2008-0002, or subsequent order) and the discharger is in compliance with all requirements of the applicable NPDES permit and all other applicable laws and regulations; or the RWQCB determines in writing that coverage under NPDES Permit No. CAG919002 is not required. Otherwise, non-stormwater discharges from the following categories are illicit discharges:
1. 
Discharges from uncontaminated pumped groundwater;
2. 
Discharges from foundation drains when the system is designed to be located at or below the groundwater table to actively or passively extract groundwater during any part of the year;
3. 
Discharges from crawl space pumps;
4. 
Discharges from footing drains when the system is designed to be located at or below the ground-water table to actively or passively extract groundwater during any part of the year.
C. 
Non-stormwater discharges to the MS4 from water line flushing and water main breaks are allowed if the discharges have coverage under NPDES Permit No. CAG679001 (Regional Water Quality Control Board Order No. R9-2010-0003, or subsequent order), and the discharger is in compliance with all requirements of that NPDES permit and other applicable laws and regulations. This category includes water line flushing and water main break discharges from water purveyors issued a water supply permit by the California Department of Public Health or federal military installations. Discharges from recycled or reclaimed water lines to the MS4 are allowed if the discharges have coverage under an NPDES permit, and the discharger is in compliance with the applicable NPDES permit and other applicable laws and regulations. Otherwise, discharges from water lines are illicit discharges.
D. 
Non-stormwater discharges to the MS4 from the following categories are allowed, unless the enforcement official or the Regional Water Quality Control Board identifies the discharge as a source of pollutants to receiving waters, in which case the discharge is considered an illicit discharge:
1. 
Discharges from diverted stream flows;
2. 
Discharges from rising groundwater;
3. 
Discharges from uncontaminated groundwater infiltration to the MS4;
4. 
Discharges from springs;
5. 
Discharges from riparian habitats and wetlands;
6. 
Discharges from potable water sources, except as set forth in subsection C of this section;
7. 
Discharges from foundation drains when the system is designed to be located above the groundwater table at all times of the year, and the system is only expected to produce non-stormwater discharges under unusual circumstances; and
8. 
Discharges from footing drains when the system is designed to be located above the groundwater table at all times of the year, and the system is only expected to produce non-stormwater discharges under unusual circumstances.
E. 
Non-stormwater discharges from the following categories are allowed if they are addressed with BMPs. Otherwise, non-stormwater discharges from the following categories are illicit discharges:
1. 
Air conditioning condensation;
2. 
Individual residential vehicle washing;
3. 
Flows from non-emergency fire fighting activities; and
4. 
Flows from emergency fire fighting activities.
F. 
The prohibition of discharges shall not apply to any discharge which the enforcement official, the county health officer, the state or San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determines in writing are necessary for the protection of the environment, water quality, and public health and safety.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008; Ord. CS-278, 2015)
Any discharge that would result in or contribute to a violation of municipal permit either separately considered or when combined with other discharges, is prohibited. Liability for any such discharge shall be the responsibility of the person(s) causing or responsible for the discharge.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
It is prohibited to establish, use, maintain, conceal or continue illicit connections to the stormwater conveyance system, regardless of whether such connections were made under a permit or other authorization or whether permissible under the law or practices applicable or prevailing at the time of the connection except as authorized in Section 15.12.050.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
A. 
It is unlawful for any person not to utilize best management practices to the maximum extent practicable to eliminate or reduce pollutants entering the city's stormwater conveyance system.
B. 
In order to reduce the risk of contamination of stormwater and the discharge of non-stormwater or pollutants to the city's stormwater conveyance system, the enforcement official may require the person(s) conducting the following activities to implement best management practices to the maximum extent practicable:
1. 
Automobile, airplane, boat, and/or vehicle repair, service, fueling, maintenance, washing, storage, and/or parking;
2. 
Landscape and garden care activities including application of related products, such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers;
3. 
Building remodeling, repair and maintenance, including, but not limited to: cement mixing, repair or cutting, masonry, plumbing, painting and/or coating;
4. 
Impervious surface or building washing or cleaning, including pressure washing or steam cleaning;
5. 
Storage and disposal of household hazardous waste (e.g., paints, used motor oil, cleaning products, pesticides, herbicides);
6. 
Disposal of pet waste;
7. 
Storage and disposal of green waste;
8. 
Mobile carpet, drape or furniture cleaning;
9. 
Pool, spa, jacuzzi, or fountain cleaning, servicing, or repair;
10. 
Pest control;
11. 
Plant growing including: farmlands, fields, nurseries, greenhouses, and botanical gardens.
C. 
Persons conducting an activity or activities that the enforcement official determines may contribute to an illegal discharge to the stormwater conveyance system, and/or a tributary to a Clean Water Act Section 303(d) impaired water body, where the site or source generates pollutants for which the water body is impaired; and/or any person within or directly adjacent to or discharging directly to a coastal lagoon or other receiving water may also be subject to subsection B.
D. 
Business Activity Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). When the enforcement official determines that a person in the course of conducting a business-related activity causes, has the potential to cause, or contributes to a violation of the water quality standards set forth in the San Diego basin plan or California ocean plan, or conveys pollutants to receiving waters that may cause or contribute to the deterioration of water quality, then the enforcement official may require the person to develop and implement a business activity SWPPP that includes the implementation and use of best management practices, and an employee training program. This section applies, but is not limited to:
1. 
Persons conducting maintenance, storage, manufacturing, assembly, equipment operations, vehicle loading, and/or cleanup activities partially or wholly out of doors;
2. 
Persons conducting automobile, airplane, boat, and/or equipment mechanical service, repair, maintenance, fueling, cleaning and/or parking; marinas; mobile automobile or other vehicle washing and/or parking; retail or wholesale fueling; mobile carpet, drape or furniture cleaning; pest control services; eating and drinking establishments; cement mixing, repair or cutting; masonry; plumbing; painting and coating; surface or building washing or cleaning services, including pressure washing or steam cleaning; botanical or zoological gardens and exhibits; landscaping and lawn and garden services; nurseries and greenhouses; golf courses, parks and other recreational areas/facilities; cemeteries; pool and fountain cleaning; or port-a-potty servicing;
3. 
Persons owning or operating a parking lot or an impervious surface (including, but not limited to, service station pavements, sidewalks, patios and paved private streets and roads) used for automobile-related or similar purposes shall clean those surfaces as frequently and as thoroughly as is necessary, in accordance with best management practices, to prevent the discharge of pollutants to the city's stormwater conveyance system. Sweepings or cleaning residue from parking lots or impervious surfaces shall not be swept or otherwise made or allowed to enter any stormwater conveyance system, gutter, or roadway, but must be disposed of in accordance with regional and local solid waste procedures and regulations.
Persons owning or operating a parking lot or impervious surfaces used for similar purposes shall clean those surfaces thoroughly as is necessary to prevent the accumulation and discharge of pollutants to the stormwater conveyance system to the maximum extent practicable, but not less than once prior to each rainy season. Sweepings or cleaning residue from parking lots or said impervious surfaces shall not be swept or otherwise made or allowed to enter the gutter, roadway or stormwater conveyance system.
E. 
Development, Grading or Construction Activities. Any person engaged in development, grading or construction in the City of Carlsbad shall utilize best management practices to prevent pollutants from entering the stormwater conveyance system by complying with city standards, all applicable local ordinances, including Chapter 15.16 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code, the standard specifications for public works construction, when performing public work, and, required provisions of all applicable NPDES permits.
In order to reduce the risk of contamination of stormwater and the discharge of non-stormwater or pollutants to the city's stormwater conveyance system, the enforcement official may require the person conducting the development, grading or construction activities to prepare and implement a construction SWPPP in compliance with city standards and/or to implement best management practices to the maximum extent practicable.
F. 
No person shall stand or park any vehicle or equipment on any street for the purpose of washing, greasing, repairing, and/or maintaining the vehicle or equipment, except for repairs necessitated by an emergency.
G. 
No person shall stand or park any vehicle or equipment on any public street, if such vehicle or equipment is determined by the enforcement official to be leaking fluids such as oils or other fluids that contribute or have the potential to contribute a discharge of pollutants to the stormwater conveyance system and/or the receiving waters.
H. 
Other activities not covered by subsections B, C, D, E and F of this section. In order to reduce the risk of contamination of stormwater, the discharge of non-stormwater or, pollutants to the city's stormwater conveyance system, the enforcement official may require the person conducting any activity not listed in subsections B, C and D of this section, to implement best management practices to the maximum extent practicable, if the enforcement official determines that the activity has the potential to discharge pollutants or is known to discharge pollutants to the stormwater conveyance system or receiving waters.
I. 
Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP). Any project issued a development permit shall comply with all applicable best management practices and low impact development (LID) requirements of the municipal code, standard urban stormwater mitigation plan (SUSMP) or BMP Design Manual, city standards and this code including, but not limited to, the following:
1. 
All development permit applications for priority development projects shall be accompanied by a SWMP prepared pursuant to the SUSMP or BMP Design Manual. No development permit shall be approved or issued unless the following requirements have been met:
a. 
The City Engineer has approved the SWMP in accordance with the SUSMP or BMP Design Manual; and
b. 
The development project complies with all best management practices specified in the approved SWMP.
2. 
No development permit shall be issued for a priority development project without ensuring that all structural treatment control best management practices, as specified in the approved SWMP, will be maintained in compliance with the requirements of the municipal permit, JRMP and SUSMP or BMP Design Manual. To ensure maintenance of the structural treatment control best management practices, the owner of the development site shall enter into a permanent stormwater quality best management practices maintenance agreement or provide an alternate maintenance mechanism as approved by the enforcement official.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008; Ord. CS-278, 2015)
A. 
Every person owning property through which a stormwater conveyance system passes, and such person's lessee or tenant, shall keep and maintain that part of the stormwater conveyance system within the property free of trash, debris, excessive vegetation, and other obstacles which would pollute, contaminate or significantly retard the flow of water through the stormwater conveyance system.
B. 
Every person shall maintain privately owned stormwater conveyance structures within or adjacent to a stormwater conveyance system, so that such structures do not become a hazard to the use, function or physical integrity of the stormwater conveyance system.
C. 
Every person shall not remove healthy banks of vegetation beyond that actually necessary for such maintenance which shall be accomplished in a manner that minimizes the vulnerability of the stormwater conveyance system to erosion; and shall be responsible for maintaining that portion of the stormwater conveyance system that is within their property lines in order to protect against erosion and degradation of the stormwater conveyance system originating or contributed from their property.
D. 
No person shall commit or cause to be committed any of the following acts, unless a written permit has first been obtained from the city and the appropriate state or federal agencies, if applicable:
1. 
Discharge pollutants into or connect any pipe or channel to the stormwater conveyance system;
2. 
Modify the natural flow of water in a stormwater conveyance system;
3. 
Carry out developments within 30 feet of the center line of any stormwater conveyance system or 20 feet of the edge of a stormwater conveyance system, whichever is the greater distance;
4. 
Deposit in, plant in, or remove any material from a stormwater conveyance system including its banks except as required for necessary maintenance;
5. 
Construct, alter, enlarge, connect to, change or remove any structure in a stormwater conveyance system;
6. 
Place any loose or unconsolidated material along the side of or within a stormwater conveyance system or so close to the side as to cause a diversion of the flow, or to cause a probability of such material being carried away by stormwaters passing through such a stormwater conveyance system.
The above requirements do not supersede any requirements set forth by the California Department of Fish and Game Stream Alteration Permit process.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
A. 
Every person owning property which includes a structural treatment control best management practice (BMP), installed pursuant to a city approved stormwater management plan, shall:
1. 
Insure that each and every city-approved structural treatment control BMP is operating effectively and has been adequately maintained; and
2. 
Provide an annual verification of the effective operation and maintenance of each and every city-approved structural treatment control BMP by the party responsible for the maintenance of the structural treatment control BMP. The annual verification shall be submitted to the enforcement official in a format as approved by the city prior to the start of the rainy season.
B. 
The enforcement official shall have the authority to conduct an inspection of any property containing a city-approved structural treatment control BMP to enforce the provision of this section in accordance with the inspection provisions specified in Sections 15.12.100 and 15.12.110 of this chapter.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
A. 
During normal and reasonable hours of operation, the enforcement official shall have the authority to conduct an inspection to enforce the provisions of this chapter, and to ascertain whether the requirements of this chapter are being met. The enforcement official has the authority to inspect all publicly visible and accessible areas during reasonable times without the permission of the property owner or representative, as long as those areas are not specifically designated as no public access areas. If inaccessible or limited access areas are to be inspected, an inspection may be conducted after the enforcement official has presented the proper credentials and the owner, occupant, and or facility operator authorizes entry. If the enforcement official is unable to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of the premises, or the owner, occupant, and/or facility operator refuses the request for entry, the City of Carlsbad is empowered to seek assistance from any court of competent jurisdiction in obtaining entry.
B. 
After obtaining authorized entry to a business or facility, the enforcement official may:
1. 
Inspect the premises at all reasonable times.
2. 
Carry out any sampling activities or install devices to conduct sampling or metering operations necessary to enforce this chapter, including taking samples from the property which the enforcement official reasonably believes is currently, or has in the past, caused or contributed to causing an illegal stormwater discharge to the stormwater conveyance system. Upon request by the property owner or authorized representative, split samples shall be given to the person from whose property the samples were obtained.
3. 
Conduct tests, analyses and evaluations to determine whether a discharge of stormwater is an illegal discharge or whether the requirements of this chapter are met.
4. 
Photograph any effluent stream, material or waste, material or waste container, container label, vehicle, waste treatment process, waste disposal site connection, or condition believed to contribute to stormwater pollution or constitute a violation of this chapter.
5. 
Review and obtain a copy of the industrial activity stormwater pollution prevention plan, the hazardous materials release response plan and inventory, and/or any other documents, permits, manifests, logs or records that may be required of the facility from local, state or federal laws, regulations or codes in order to conduct operations or business on the premises.
6. 
Require the facility operator to retain evidence, as instructed by the enforcement official, for a period not to exceed 30 days.
7. 
Review and obtain copies of all stormwater monitoring data compiled by the facility, if such monitoring is required of the facility.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
A. 
During the inspection, the enforcement official shall comply with all reasonable security, safety, and sanitation measures. In addition, the enforcement official shall comply with reasonable precautionary measures specified by the owner and/or occupant or facility operator.
B. 
At the conclusion of the inspection, and prior to leaving the site, the enforcement official shall make every reasonable effort to review with the owner and/or occupant or the facility operator each of the violations noted by the enforcement official and any corrective actions that may be necessary. A report listing any violation found by the enforcement official during the inspection shall be kept on file by the enforcement agency. An inspection report shall be provided to the owner and/or occupant or facility operator, or left at the premises after being signed by a designated representative of the facility. If corrective action is required, then the occupant, facility owner, and/or facility operator shall implement corrective action plan based upon a written corrective action plan. The corrective action plan shall be submitted to the enforcement agency for review and approval and should state the corrective actions to be taken and the expected dates of completion. Failure to implement a corrective action plan constitutes a violation of this chapter.
C. 
All enforcement officials shall have adequate identification. Enforcement officials and other authorized personnel shall identify themselves when entering any property for inspection purposes or when inspecting the work of any contractor.
D. 
With the consent of the property owner or occupant, or pursuant to a search warrant, the enforcement official is authorized to establish on any property that discharges directly or indirectly to the municipal stormwater conveyance system such devices as are necessary to conduct sampling or metering operations. During all inspections as provided herein, the enforcement official may take samples of materials, wastes, and/or effluent as deemed necessary to aid in the pursuit of the investigation or in the recordation of the activities onsite.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
Any person owning or occupying any premises who has knowledge of any release of materials, pollutants or waste which may result in pollutants or non-stormwater discharges entering any stormwater conveyance system shall immediately take all reasonable action to contain, minimize, and clean up such release. Such person shall notify the City of Carlsbad of the occurrence and any other appropriate federal, state or county agency of the occurrence as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours from the time of the incident's occurrence.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
A. 
The enforcement official may require that any person engaged in any activity and/or owning or operating any facility which causes or contributes to stormwater pollution or contamination, illegal discharges, prohibited discharges and/or discharge of non-stormwater to the stormwater conveyance system perform monitoring, including physical and chemical monitoring and/or analyses and furnish reports as the enforcement official may specify if:
1. 
The person, or facility owner or operator, fails to eliminate illegal or prohibited discharges within a specified time after receiving a written notice to do so by the enforcement official;
2. 
The enforcement official has documented repeated violations of this chapter by the person or facility owner or operator which has caused or contributed to stormwater pollution.
It is unlawful for such person or facility owner or operator to fail or refuse to undertake and provide the monitoring, analyses, and/or reports specified. Specific monitoring criteria shall bear a relationship to the types of pollutants which may be generated by the person's activities or the facility's operations. If the enforcement agency has evidence that a pollutant is originating from a specific source or premises, then the enforcement agency may require monitoring for that pollutant regardless of whether said pollutant may be generated by routine activities or operations. The person or facility owner or operator shall be responsible for all costs of these activities, analyses and reports.
B. 
Any persons required to monitor pursuant to subsection A of this section, shall implement a stormwater monitoring program including, but not limited to, the following:
1. 
Routine visual monitoring for dry weather flows;
2. 
Routine visual monitoring for spills which may pollute stormwater runoff;
3. 
A monitoring log including monitoring date, potential pollution sources, as noted in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this subsection, and a description of the mitigation measures taken to eliminate any potential pollution sources;
4. 
All samples must be collected using approved procedures and guidelines as set forth by federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved protocols; and
5. 
The samples must be analyzed by a State of California certified laboratory qualified to undertaken such analyses.
C. 
The enforcement official may require a person, or facility owner or operator, to install or implement stormwater pollution reduction or control measures, including, but not limited to, process modification to reduce the generation of pollutants if:
1. 
The person, or facility owner or operator fails to eliminate illegal or prohibited discharges after receiving a written notice from the enforcement official;
2. 
The person, or facility owner or operator, fails to implement a stormwater pollution prevention plan, as required by the enforcement official; or
3. 
The enforcement official has documented repeated violations of this chapter by any such person or facility owner or operator which has caused or contributed to stormwater pollution.
D. 
If testing, monitoring or mitigation required pursuant to this chapter are deemed no longer necessary by the enforcement official, then any or all of the requirements contained in subsections A, B, and C of this section may be discontinued.
E. 
A stormwater monitoring program prepared and implemented pursuant to any state-issued NPDES general permit shall be deemed to meet the requirements of a monitoring program for the purposes of this chapter.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
Causing, permitting, aiding, abetting or concealing a violation of any provision of this chapter is unlawful and shall constitute a separate violation of this chapter.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
The enforcement agency and enforcement official can exercise any code enforcement powers and procedures as provided in Title 1 of this code. In addition to the general enforcement powers and procedures provided in Title 1 of this code, the enforcement agency and enforcement official have the authority to utilize the following administrative remedies as may be necessary to enforce this chapter:
A. 
Cease and Desist Orders. When the enforcement official finds that a discharge has taken place or is likely to take place in violation of this chapter, the enforcement official may issue an order to cease and desist such discharge, practice, or operation likely to cause such discharge and direct that those persons not complying shall:
1. 
Comply with the applicable provisions and policies of this chapter;
2. 
Comply with a time schedule for compliance; and
3. 
Take appropriate remedial or preventive action to prevent the violation from recurring.
B. 
Notice to Clean, Test and/or Abate. Whenever the enforcement official finds any oil, earth, dirt, grass, weeds, dead trees, tin cans, rubbish, refuse, waste or any other material of any kind, in or upon the sidewalk abutting or adjoining any parcel of land, or upon any parcel of land or grounds, which may result in an increase in pollutants entering the city's stormwater conveyance system or a non-stormwater discharge to the city's stormwater conveyance system, the enforcement official may issue orders and give written notice to remove same in any reasonable manner. The recipient of such notice shall undertake the activities as described in the notice.
C. 
Stop Work Orders. Whenever any work is being done contrary to the provisions of this chapter, the enforcement official may order the work stopped by notice in writing served on any person engaged in performing or causing such work to be done, and any such person shall immediately stop such work until authorized by the enforcement official to proceed with the work.
D. 
Permit or License Suspension, Denial or Revocation. Violations of this chapter may be grounds for permit or license suspension or revocation, including, but not limited to, building permits, right-of-way permits, grading permits and conditional use permits.
E. 
Civil Penalties. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter, fails to prepare or implement a corrective action plan when requested by the enforcement official, fails to implement a storm-water monitoring plan, violates any cease and desist order or notice to clean and abate, or fails to adopt or implement a stormwater pollution prevention plan as directed by the enforcement official shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500.00 for each day such a violation exists. The responsible party shall be charged for the full costs of any investigation, inspection, or monitoring survey which led to the detection of any such violation, for abatement costs, and for the reasonable costs of preparing and bringing legal action under this subsection. In addition to any other applicable procedures, the enforcement agency may utilize the lien procedures listed in subsection F to enforce the responsible party's liability. The responsible party may also be liable for compensatory damages for impairment, loss or destruction to water quality, wildlife, fish and aquatic life.
F. 
The enforcement official shall take all appropriate legal steps to collect these obligations, including referral to the City Attorney for commencement of a civil action to recover said funds. If collected as a lien, the enforcement official shall cause a notice of lien to be filed with the County Recorder, inform the county auditor and County Recorder of the amount of the obligation, a description of the real property upon which the lien is to be recovered, and the name of the agency to which the obligation is to be paid. Upon payment in full, the enforcement official shall file a release of lien with the County Recorder.
G. 
Environmental Code Enforcement Civil Penalties Fund. Civil penalties collected pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited in the environmental code enforcement civil penalties fund as established by the City Manager for the enhancement of the city's code enforcement efforts, environmental public outreach or education, environmental improvement grants, and/or to reimburse city departments for investigative costs and costs associated with the hearing process that are not paid by the responsible party. Civil penalties deposited in this fund shall be appropriated and allocated in a manner determined by the City Manager. The city auditor shall establish accounting procedures to ensure proper account identification, credit and collection.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
A. 
Unless otherwise provided herein, any notice required to be given by the enforcement official under this chapter shall be in writing and served in person or by registered or certified mail. If served by mail, the notice shall be sent to the last address known to the enforcement official. Where the address is unknown, service may be made upon the owner of record of the property involved. Such notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time of deposit, postage prepaid, in a facility regularly serviced by the United States Postal Service whether or not the registered or certified mail is accepted.
B. 
When the enforcement official determines that a violation of one or more provisions of this chapter exists or has occurred, any violator(s) or property owner(s) of record shall be served by the enforcement official with a written notice and order. The notice and order shall state the municipal code section violated, describe how violated, the location and date(s) of the violation(s), and describe the corrective action required. The notice and order shall require immediate corrective action by the violator(s) or property owner(s) and explain which method(s) of administrative enforcement are being utilized by the enforcement official: cease and desist order, notice to clean and abate, establishment of a stormwater pollution prevention plan, and/or establishment of an employee training program. The notice and order shall also explain the consequences of failure to comply, including that civil penalties shall begin to immediately accrue if compliance is not achieved within 10 days from the date the notice and order is issued. The notice and order shall identify all hearing rights. The enforcement official may propose any enforcement action reasonably necessary to abate the violation.
C. 
If the violation(s) is not corrected within 10 days from the date the notice and order is issued, the enforcement official shall request the City Manager to appoint a hearing officer and fix a date, time, and place for hearing. The enforcement official shall give written notice thereof to the violator(s) or owner(s) of record, at least 10 days prior to the date for hearing.
1. 
The hearing officer shall consider any written or oral evidence presented to determine whether the violation(s) exists, a corrective action plan should be required, a cease and desist order should be required, a notice to clean and abate should be required, a stormwater pollution prevention plan should be required, an employee training program should be required, and/or civil penalties should be imposed, consistent with rules and procedures for the conduct of hearings and rendering of decisions established and promulgated by the City Manager.
2. 
In determining whether action should be taken or the amount of a civil penalty to be imposed, the hearing officer may consider any of the following factors:
a. 
Duration of the violation(s).
b. 
Frequency or recurrence.
c. 
Seriousness.
d. 
History.
e. 
Violator's conduct after notice and order.
f. 
Good faith effort to comply.
g. 
Economic impact of the penalty on the violator(s).
h. 
Impact of the violation on the community.
i. 
Any other factor which justice may require.
3. 
If the violator(s) or owner(s) of record fail to attend the hearing, it shall constitute a waiver of the right to a hearing and adjudication of all or any portion of the notice and order.
4. 
The hearing officer shall render a written decision within 10 days of the close of the hearing, including findings of fact and conclusions of law, identifying the time frame involved and the factors considered in assessing civil penalties, if any. The decision shall be effective immediately unless otherwise stated in the decision. The hearing officer shall cause the decision to be served on the enforcement official and all participating violators or owners of record.
5. 
If the persons assessed civil penalties fail to pay them within the time specified in the hearing officer's decision, the unpaid amount constitutes either a personal obligation of the person assessed or a lien upon the real property on which the violation occurred, in the discretion of the enforcement official. If the violation(s) is not corrected as directed the civil penalty continues to accrue on a daily basis. Civil penalties may not exceed $100,000.00 in the aggregate. When the violation is subsequently corrected, the enforcement official shall notify the violator(s) and/or owner(s) of record of the outstanding civil penalties and provide an opportunity for hearing if the amount(s) is disputed within 10 days from such notice.
6. 
The enforcement official shall take all appropriate legal steps to collect these obligations, including referral to the City Attorney for commencement of a civil action to recover said funds. If collected as a lien, the enforcement official shall cause a notice of lien to be filed with the County Recorder, inform the county auditor and County Recorder of the amount of the obligation, a description of the real property upon which the lien is to be recovered, and the name of the agency to which the obligation is to be paid. Upon payment in full, the enforcement official shall file a release of lien with the County Recorder.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
A. 
Criminal Penalties. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or who fails to implement a stormwater monitoring plan, violates any cease and desist order or notice to clean and abate, or fails to adopt or implement stormwater pollution prevention plans or employee training programs as directed by the enforcement official shall be punished, upon conviction, by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 for each day in which such violation occurs, or imprisonment in the San Diego County jail for a period not to exceed six months, or both.
B. 
Injunction/Abatement of Public Nuisance. Whenever a discharge into the stormwater conveyance system is in violation of the provisions of this chapter or otherwise threatens to cause a condition of contamination, pollution, or nuisance, the enforcement official may also cause the city to seek a petition to the Superior Court for the issuance of a preliminary or permanent injunction, or both, or an action to abate a public nuisance, as may be appropriate in restraining the continuance of such discharge.
C. 
Other Civil Action. Whenever a notice and order, notice of determination, hearing officer's decision or City Council's decision is not complied with, the City Attorney may, at the request of the enforcement official, initiate any appropriate civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce such notice and order and decision, including the recovery of any unpaid storm drain fees and/or civil penalties provided herein.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
In addition to the other civil and criminal penalties provided herein, any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is a threat to the public health, safety, and welfare and is declared and deemed a public nuisance, which may be summarily abated and/or restored as directed by the enforcement official in accordance with the procedures identified in Chapter 6.16. A civil action to abate, enjoin or otherwise compel the cessation of such nuisance may also be taken by the city, if necessary.
The full cost of such abatement and restoration shall be borne by the owner of the property and shall be a lien upon and against the property in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 15.12.150(F).
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)
Remedies set forth in this chapter are not exclusive but are cumulative to all other civil and criminal penalties provided by law, including, but not limited to, penalty provisions of the Federal Clean Water Act and/or the state Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act is California Water Code Section 13000 et seq., and any future amendments. The seeking of such federal and/or state remedies shall not preclude the simultaneous commencement of proceedings pursuant to this chapter.
(Ord. NS-880 § 1, 2008)