[Ord. 1213, 8-6-1997; Ord. 1570, 5-5-2010]
(A) 
The discharge of pollutants to the storm drain system is a violation of this chapter except as specified below. All discharges other than storm water discharges must be in compliance with a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit issued for that particular discharge or discharges and/or in compliance with city municipal codes should city code be more stringent.
(B) 
Discharges from the following activities are not in violation when properly managed: Water line flushing and other discharges from potable water sources, diverted stream flows, rising ground waters, uncontaminated ground water infiltration (as defined in 40 CFR 35.2005(2)) to separate storm sewers, infiltration to separate storm drains, uncontaminated pumped ground water, foundation and footing drains, water from crawl space pumps, air conditioning condensation, springs, individual residential car washing, flows from riparian habitats and wetlands, or discharge flows from fire fighting activities.
[Ord. 1213, 8-6-1997; Ord. 1570, 5-5-2010]
(A) 
Any discharge that would result in or contribute to a violation of a Municipal National Pollution Discharge Elimination Permit(s) as amended or revised, either separately or when combined with other discharges is prohibited.
(B) 
The person or persons causing or responsible for the discharge shall be liable for such discharge and shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the city in any administrative or judicial enforcement action relating to such discharge.
[Ord. 1213, 8-6-1997; Ord. 1570, 5-5-2010]
It is a violation of this chapter to establish, use, maintain, or continue illicit drainage connections to the city storm drain system, or to commence or continue any illicit discharges to the city drain system. This prohibition against illicit connections is expressly retroactive and applies to connections made in the past, regardless of whether permissible under the law or practices applicable or prevailing at the time of the connection.
[Ord. 1213, 8-6-1997; Ord. 1570, 5-5-2010]
It is a violation of this chapter to throw, deposit, leave, maintain, keep, or permit to be thrown, deposited, placed, left or maintained, any refuse, rubbish, garbage, abandoned vehicle or other discarded or abandoned objects, articles, and accumulations, in or upon any street, alley, sidewalk, storm drain, inlet, catch basin, conduit or other drainage structures, business place, or upon any public or private plot of land in the city. The only exception being where such pollutant is being temporarily placed in an appropriate container with a spill containment system for later collection and removal. It is a violation of this chapter to cause or permit any dumpster, solid waste bin, or similar container to leak such that any pollutant is discharged into any street, alley, sidewalk, storm drain, inlet, catch basin, conduit or other drainage structures, business place, or upon any public or private plot of land in the city.
[Ord. 1213, 8-6-1997; Ord. 1570, 5-5-2010]
No person shall store objects in unsealed containers, including but not limited to motor vehicle or machine parts which may contain grease, oil or other hazardous substances, which may leak pollutants in areas susceptible to storm water runoff. To prevent the discharge of hazardous substances from the property, the city may require the installation of a spill containment system or any other steps necessary to control such discharge. Spill containment systems may consist of a system of dikes, walls, barriers, berms, or other devices a required. No person shall operate a spill containment system such that it allows incompatible liquids to mix and thereby create a hazardous condition.
[Ord. 1213, 8-6-1997; Ord. 1570, 5-5-2010]
Any person performing construction work in the city shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and other applicable county and city ordinance for erosion and sediment control and any subsequent revisions.
(A) 
All persons engaged in construction activity within the city shall operate in compliance with all state and federal laws regulating or pertinent to storm water management and runoff including operating with all required permits. The Director of Public Works or designee may require that such permits be displayed at the work sites as a condition of continuing to perform the construction.
(B) 
No person shall commence or continue any construction activity in the city that causes the disturbance of one acre by clearing, grading, excavating, or reconstructing existing facilities involving removal and replacement without demonstrating to the Director of Public Works that such person has obtained a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction Activity (Construction Storm Water Permit) from the State Water Resources Control Board. For purposes of the Construction Storm Water Permit, construction activity requiring a permit does not include:
(1) 
Routine maintenance to maintain original line and grade, hydraulic capacity, or original purpose of the facility; or
(2) 
Emergency construction activities required to protect the public health and safety.
(C) 
Properties of one acre or greater in size shall be designed to retain the 100-year 24-hour duration storm on site. Refer to Chapter 162, Grading for more information.
(D) 
Any person engaged in a construction activity requiring a Construction Storm Water Permit shall retain at the construction site the following documents:
(1) 
A copy of the Notice of Intent to comply with the requirements of the General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction Activity;
(2) 
A waste discharge identification number issued by the State Water Resources Control Board; and
(3) 
A duly issued Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan and Monitoring Program Plan for the construction activity requiring the construction permit.
(E) 
Any person engaged in construction activity requiring a Construction Storm Water Permit shall provide any of the documents described in division (D) of this section to the city upon request of the Director of Public Works or designee.
(F) 
Prior to the issuance of any building or grading permit for the construction of new development or redevelopment, a Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be submitted and approved. The Director of Public Works or designee shall evaluate the proposed project to determine its potential to generate illicit discharges into the municipal storm drain system. Based upon this evaluation, the city may require that conditions be placed upon the issuance of the building or grading permit to minimize the risk of discharge of pollutants into the storm drain system. The imposition of conditions under this section shall be based on the standards set forth in the most recent edition of the California Storm Water Best Management Practice Handbooks (Municipal, Industrial/Commercial, and Construction volumes) and additional standards as determined by the city.
(G) 
Subject to all of the provisions of this chapter, the following additional requirements shall apply to persons conducting construction in the city for which a certificate of occupancy is required as well as the owners of such property. The requirements set forth below shall apply at the time of demolition of an existing structure or commencement of construction and until receipt of a certificate of occupancy.
(1) 
Runoff containing sediment, construction waste and other pollutants from construction sites and construction vehicles and equipment parking areas which is likely to enter the storm drain system shall be reduced to the maximum extent practicable.
(2) 
Where determined necessary by the Director of Public Works or designee, a temporary sediment barrier shall be installed.
(3) 
Between October 1 and April 1 of each year, the owner of property or any person performing improvements on such property shall use a plastic or other covering, along with additional runoff control devices if necessary to intercept and safely convey the runoff on unprotected areas to control run-off of pollutants. Provisions and Best Management Practices of the site specific Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be in place and the document on site for inspection.
(4) 
Excavated soil shall be located on the site in a manner that minimizes the amount of soil transported into the public right of way onto adjoining properties. Soil stockpiles shall be covered with plastic or other covering until the soil is either used or removed.
(5) 
Washing industrial or construction equipment or vehicles is not allowed on city rights of way or private roadways adjacent to a construction site. No person shall allow water from vehicles or equipment on a construction site to run-off into the city's storm drain system.
(6) 
Drainage controls shall be utilized as needed to prevent illicit discharge, depending on the extent of proposed grading and topography of the site, including but not limited to the following:
(a) 
Detention ponds, sediment ponds, or infiltration pits;
(b) 
Dikes, filter berms or ditches; or
(c) 
Downdrains, chutes or flumes.
(H) 
The city may, as a condition of granting a building or grading permit, set forth reasonable limits on the clearing of vegetation from construction sites, including but not limited to, regulating the length of time during which soil may be left bare.
[Ord. 1213, 8-6-1997; Ord. 1570, 5-5-2010]
To minimize the discharge and transport of pollutants, the city may require, in its discretion, a new development or redevelopment project to control the volume and rate of storm water runoff from the project so as to prevent any deterioration of water quality which would impair the subsequent or competing uses of the water. The Director of Public Works or designee may establish standards and guidelines implementing BMPs designed to control the rate and volume of storm water runoff from new developments and redevelopments as may be appropriate to minimize the discharge and transport of pollutants. Acceptable methods and standards for controlling storm water runoff volumes, rates, and pollutant load may include but are not limited to the following:
(A) 
Increase permeable areas. Avoid placing structures or fixtures with impervious surfaces in highly porous soil areas; incorporate landscaping and open space into the project design; use porous materials for or near driveways and walkways; incorporate detention ponds and infiltration pits into the project's design; avoid placing pavement and other impervious surfaces in low lying areas.
(B) 
Direct runoff to permeable areas. Direct storm water runoff away from impermeable areas to swales, berms, green strip filters, gravel beds, and french drains. Install rain-gutters and orient them toward permeable areas. Modify the grade of the property to divert flow to permeable areas and minimize the amount of storm water runoff leaving the property. When designing curbs, berms, or other structures, avoid designs which isolate permeable or landscaped areas.
(C) 
Maximize storm water storage for reuse. Use retention structures, subsurface areas, cisterns, or other structures to store storm water runoff for reuse or slow release.
[Ord. 1213, 8-6-1997; Ord. 1570, 5-5-2010]
Any industrial discharger, discharger associated with construction activity, or other discharger subject to any NPDES permit issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the State Water Resources Control Board, or the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board, shall comply with all requirements of such permit. This chapter shall specifically comply with the following permits: the Industrial Storm Water General Permit, the Construction Activity Storm Water General Permit, and the Dewatering General permit. Proof of compliance with said NPDES General Permits may be required in a form acceptable to the Director prior to issuance of any city grading, building, or occupancy permits.
[Ord. 1213, 8-6-1997; Ord. 1570, 5-5-2010]
Where BMP guidelines or requirements have been adopted by any federal, State of California, regional, and/or city agency, for any activity, operation, or facility which may cause or contribute to storm water pollution or contamination, illicit discharges, and/or discharge of non-storm water to the storm water system, every person undertaking such activity or operation, or owning or operating such facility shall comply with such guidelines or requirements as may be identified by the Director of Public Works.