Bakersfield Municipal Code Ch. 8.35 Stormwater System

Sections: 8.35.010 Definitions. 8.35.020 Illicit discharges into stormwater system prohibited. 8.35.030 Compliance with conditions. 8.35.040 Authority to inspect, conduct surveillance and monitor stormwater discharges.

Whenever used in this chapter, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context, the words set forth in this section shall have the following meanings:

A. “Garbage” means putrescible animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.

B. “Litter” means garbage, refuse and rubbish as defined herein and all other material which, if thrown, deposited or allowed to accumulate as herein prohibited, tends to create a danger to public health, safety and welfare, and which is not within a receptacle provided therefor.

C. “Refuse” means all putrescible and nonputrescible solid wastes (except human body waste) including garbage, rubbish, ashes, street cleanings, dead animals, animal feces and solid market and industrial wastes.

D. “Rubbish” means nonputrescible solid waste consisting of both combustible and noncombustible wastes including, but not limited to, paper, wrappings, cardboard, tin cans, weeds, dry grasses, dead trees and shrubs, yard clippings, leaves, dirt (other than the natural soil, in place), pieces of broken asphalt or concrete, wood, glass, bedding, crockery and similar materials.

E. “Sanitary wastewater” means wastewater discharging from the sanitary conveniences of dwellings (including apartments and hotels), office buildings, industrial plants and institutions.

F. “Stormwater system” means those curbs, inlets, underground conduit, retention/detention basins, outfalls, ditches, and canals used to collect, transport, infiltrate/evaporate or discharge water flows resulting from precipitation falling in and around the city of Bakersfield. (Ord. 3528 § 1, 1993)

It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or association to throw, dump, empty or in any way cause sanitary wastewater, rubbish, refuse, litter, accidental spill discharges, garbage of any kind whatsoever, or any unsanitary or deleterious matter including, but not limited to, petroleum products, pesticides, herbicides, controlled substances, hazardous materials, or any other matter prohibited by state or federal law to be introduced into any stormwater system or conveyance that discharges into a stormwater system. (Ord. 4792 § 1, 2014; Ord. 3528 § 1, 1993)

All persons, firms, corporations and associations shall comply with conditions set forth in permits, contracts and orders of the public works director relative to control of discharges into, and operation of, the city’s stormwater facilities and systems. (Ord. 3528 § 1, 1993)

stormwater discharges.

The public works director or a representative shall have access to sites or facilities for the purpose of ensuring compliance with conditions, relative to stormwater discharges, of permits and ordinances. Such access shall also include that access necessary to detect and eliminate illicit discharges to the stormwater systems. (Ord. 3528 § 1, 1993)