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Earlier editions: 2026-09

Title XV — STREETS AND PUBLIC WORKS

Bradbury Municipal Code Ch. 4 Stormwater and Urban Runoff Pollution Control

Bradbury Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Bradbury

Cite as: Bradbury Municipal Code Chapter 4 · Text as of 2026-10-04

Sec. 15.04.010. - Title.

This chapter shall be known as the "City of Bradbury Stormwater Management and Discharge Control Ordinance."

(Prior Code, § 7400)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 15.04.020. - Findings.

(a) The Federal Clean Water Act (33 USC 1251 et seq.) provides for the regulation and reduction of pollutants discharged into the waters of the United States by extending National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (hereinafter "NPDES") requirements to stormwater runoff discharge into storm drain systems.

(b) Stormwater and urban runoff flows from individual properties onto streets, then through storm drains passing through the City.

(c) The City is a permittee under the "Waste Discharge Requirements for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Discharges within the Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles County, Except Those Discharges Originating from the City of Long Beach MS4," issued by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board—Los Angeles Region," (Order No. R4-2012-0175) which also serves as an NPDES permit under the Federal Clean Water Act (NPDES No. CAS004001), as well as waste discharge requirements under California law (the "municipal NPDES permit"). In order to participate in a watershed management program and/or enhanced watershed management program, the municipal NPDES permit requires permittees to develop and implement a LID ordinance.

(d) Part III of the municipal NPDES permit requires the City effectively to prohibit non-stormwater discharge from within its boundaries, into the storm sewer system and into watercourses, except where such discharges are:

(1) In compliance with a separate individual or general NPDES permit;

(2) Identified and in compliance with Part III.A.2 (conditional exemptions from non-stormwater discharge prohibition) of the municipal NPDES permit; or

(3) Originating from Federal, State or other facilities which the City is preempted from regulating, and further provides that compliance with the terms of the municipal NPDES permit through the development and implementation of the programs described in the municipal NPDES permit will constitute compliance with the discharge prohibition therein.

(e) Part VI.A.2 of the municipal NPDES permit requires the City to demonstrate that it possesses the legal authority necessary to control discharges to and from those portions of the stormwater system over which it has jurisdiction, so as to comply with the municipal NPDES permit and specifically to prohibit certain discharges identified in the municipal NPDES permit.

(f) The municipal NPDES permit contemplates the development of a countywide stormwater management plan ("CSWMP") and then a watershed management area plan ("WMAP"), in which the City will participate, which will in turn require the development and the implementation of programs for, among other things, the elimination of illicit connections and illicit discharges, development planning, development construction, and public information and education requirements, and which may require the later adoption of additional legal authority to implement such programs as they are developed by the permittees and approved by the Regional Board.

(g) In order to control, in a cost-effective manner, the quantity and quality of stormwater and urban runoff to the maximum extent practicable, the adoption of reasonable regulations, as set forth herein, is essential.

(h) The City is a unique, largely built-out residential community where development consists of single-family residential homes on large estate-size lots; the only nonresidential development in the City consists of a City administration building, several equestrian boarding and training facilities, public and private streets and trails, and a public school campus. There are no commercial or industrial uses in the City and there is no land in the City zoned for such purpose.

(i) Many streets, roads, and trails in the City are privately owned and maintained privately or by the County. Many natural watercourses are located on private property.

(j) Areas of steep topography and unstable soil throughout the City make it hazardous for the City to encourage storm retentions on site if such retention will result in absorption of water in slide planes.

(Prior Code, § 7401; Ord. No. 330, § 1(7401(c), d), (e)), 10-15-2013)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 15.04.030. - Purpose and intent.

(a) The purpose of this chapter is to ensure the future health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the City and the water quality of the receiving water of the County and surrounding coastal areas by:

(1) Reducing pollutants in stormwater discharges to the maximum extent practicable;

(2) Regulating illicit connections and illicit discharges and thereby reducing the level of contamination of stormwater and urban runoff into the Santa Monica Bay; and

(3) Regulating non-stormwater discharges to the stormwater system.

(b) The intent of this chapter is to protect and enhance the quality of watercourses, water bodies, and wetlands within the City in a manner consistent with the Federal Clean Water Act, the California Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act and the municipal NPDES permit.

(c) This chapter is also intended to provide the City with the legal authority necessary to control discharges to and from those portions of the stormwater system over which it has jurisdiction as required by the municipal NPDES permit, and thereby fully and timely comply with the terms of the municipal NPDES permit while the CSWMP and the WMAP are being developed by the permittees under the municipal NPDES permit, and in contemplation of the subsequent amendment of this chapter or adoption by the City of additional provisions of this chapter to implement the subsequently adopted CSWMP and WMAP, or other programs developed under the municipal NPDES permit.

(Prior Code, § 7402)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 15.04.040. - Definitions.

Except as specifically provided herein, any term used in this section shall be defined as that term in the current municipal NPDES permit, or if it is not specifically defined in either the municipal NPDES permit, then as such term is defined in the Federal Clean Water Act, as amended, and/or the regulations promulgated thereunder. If the definition of any term contained in this chapter conflicts with the definition of the same term in the current municipal NPDES permit, then the definition contained in the municipal NPDES permit shall govern. The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings when used in this chapter:

Automotive service facility means a facility that is categorized in any one of the following Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. For inspection purposes, permittees need not inspect facilities with SIC codes 5013, 5014, 5541, 5511, provided that these facilities have no outside activities or materials that may be exposed to stormwater (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175). (This definition is not applicable to any allowable land use in the City.)

Basin plan means the Water Quality Control Plan, Los Angeles Region, Basin Plan for the Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, adopted by the Regional Water Board on June 13, 1994, and subsequent amendments (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Best management practices (BMPs) means practices or physical devices or systems designed to prevent or reduce pollutant loading from stormwater or non-stormwater discharges to receiving waters, or designed to reduce the volume of stormwater or non-stormwater discharged to the receiving water (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Biofiltration means a LID BMP that reduces stormwater pollutant discharges by intercepting rainfall on vegetative canopy, and through incidental infiltration and/or evapotranspiration, and filtration. Incidental infiltration is an important factor in achieving the required pollutant load reduction. Therefore, the term "biofiltration" as used in this chapter is defined to include only systems designed to facilitate incidental infiltration or achieve the equivalent pollutant reduction as biofiltration BMPs with an underdrain (subject to approval by the Regional Board's Executive Officer). Biofiltration BMPs include bioretention systems with an underdrain and bioswales (Modified from: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Bioretention means a LID BMP that reduces stormwater runoff by intercepting rainfall on vegetative canopy, and through evapotranspiration and infiltration. The bioretention system typically includes a minimum two-foot top layer of a specified soil and compost mixture underlain by a gravel-filled temporary storage pit dug into the in-situ soil. As defined in the municipal NPDES permit, a bioretention BMP may be designed with an overflow drain, but may not include an underdrain. When a bioretention BMP is designed or constructed with an underdrain it is regulated by the municipal NPDES permit as biofiltration (Modified from: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Bioswale means a LID BMP consisting of a shallow channel lined with grass or other dense, low-growing vegetation. Bioswales are designed to collect stormwater runoff and to achieve a uniform sheet flow through the dense vegetation for a period of several minutes (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Clean Water Act (CWA) means the Federal Water Pollution Control Act enacted in 1972, by Public Law 92-500, and amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987. The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States unless the discharge is in accordance with an NPDES permit.

Commercial malls means any development on private land comprised of one or more buildings forming a complex of stores which sells various merchandise, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from store to store, along with parking area. A commercial mall includes, but is not limited to: mini-malls, strip malls, other retail complexes, and enclosed shopping malls or shopping centers (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175). (This definition is not applicable to any allowable land use in the City.)

Construction activity means any construction or demolition activity, clearing, grading, grubbing, or excavation or any other activity that results in land disturbance. Construction does not include emergency construction activities required to immediately protect public health and safety or routine maintenance activities required to maintain the integrity of structures by performing minor repair and restoration work, maintain the original line and grade, hydraulic capacity, or original purposes of the facility. See Routine maintenance for further explanation. Where clearing, grading or excavating of underlying soil takes place during a repaving operation, State general construction permit coverage by the State general permit for stormwater discharges associated with industrial activities or for stormwater discharges associated with construction activities is required if more than one acre is disturbed or the activities are part of a larger plan (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Control means to minimize, reduce or eliminate by technological, legal, contractual, or other means, the discharge of pollutants from an activity or activities (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Development means construction, rehabilitation, redevelopment or reconstruction of any public or private residential project (whether single-family, multi-unit or planned unit development); industrial, commercial, retail, and other nonresidential projects, including public agency projects; or mass grading for future construction. The term "development" does not include routine maintenance to maintain original line and grade, hydraulic capacity, or original purpose of facility, nor does it include emergency construction activities required to immediately protect public health and safety (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Directly adjacent means situated within 200 feet of the contiguous zone required for the continued maintenance, function, and structural stability of the environmentally sensitive area (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Discharge means any release, spill, leak, pump, flow, escape, dumping, or disposal of any liquid, semi-solid, or solid substance.

Disturbed area means an area that is altered as a result of clearing, grading, and/or excavation (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Flow-through BMPs means modular, vault type "high flow biotreatment" devices contained within an impervious vault with an underdrain or designed with an impervious liner and an underdrain (Modified from: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

General construction activities stormwater permit (GCASP) means the general NPDES permit adopted by the State Board which authorizes the discharge of stormwater from construction activities under certain conditions.

General industrial activities stormwater permit (GIASP) means the general NPDES permit adopted by the State Board which authorizes the discharge of stormwater from certain industrial activities under certain conditions.

Green roof means a LID BMP using planter boxes and vegetation to intercept rainfall on the roof surface. Rainfall is intercepted by vegetation leaves and through evapotranspiration. Green roofs may be designed as either a bioretention BMP or as a biofiltration BMP. To receive credit as a bioretention BMP, the green roof system planting medium shall be of sufficient depth to provide capacity within the pore space volume to contain the design storm depth and may not be designed or constructed with an underdrain (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Hazardous material means any material defined as hazardous by Health and Safety Code Division 20, Chapter 6.95.

Hillside means a property located in an area with known erosive soil conditions, where the development contemplates grading on any natural slope that is 25 percent or greater and where grading contemplates cut or fill slopes (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Impervious surface means any manmade or modified surface that prevents or significantly reduces the entry of water into the underlying soil, resulting in runoff from the surface in greater quantities and/or at an increased rate, when compared to natural conditions prior to development. Impervious surfaces include, but are not limited to, the following: parking lots, driveways, roadways, storage areas, rooftops, pools, pool decks, decks, fountains, lined artificial streams and ponds, paved walkways, paved trails, sidewalks, tennis courts, basketball courts, greenhouses, stables and storage structures, and any impervious other area that has been constructed with asphalt or Portland cement concrete, slate, cobble stone or similar material. The imperviousness of these areas commonly results from paving, compacted gravel, compacted earth, and oiled earth. Should an alternative product that promotes infiltration of stormwater be installed or constructed in lieu of conventional materials, an impervious surface reduction ratio will be applied to the area of proposed improvements. The impervious surface reduction ratio will be determined by the City on a case-by-case basis with support of manufacturer-provided testing data. Alternative products include, but are not limited to, permeable pavers, permeable asphalt and permeable Portland cement concrete.

Industrial park means land development that is set aside for industrial development. Industrial parks are usually located close to transport facilities, especially where more than one transport modalities coincide: highways, railroads, airports, and navigable rivers. It includes office parks, which have offices and light industry (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175). (This definition is not applicable to any allowable land use in the City.)

Infiltration BMP means a LID BMP that reduces stormwater runoff by capturing and infiltrating the runoff into in-situ soils or amended onsite soils. Examples of infiltration BMPs include infiltration basins, dry wells, and pervious pavement (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

LID means low impact development. LID consists of building and landscape features designed to retain or filter stormwater runoff (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

MS4 means municipal separate storm sewer system. The MS4 is a conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catchbasins, curbs, gutters, ditches, manmade channels, or storm drains):

(1) Owned or operated by a state, city, town, borough, county, parish, district, association, or other public body (created by or pursuant to State law) having jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial wastes, stormwater, or other wastes, including special districts under State law such as a sewer district, flood control district or drainage district, or similar entity, or an Indian tribe or an authorized Indian tribal organization, or a designated and approved management agency under Section 208 of the CWA that discharges to waters of the United States;

(2) Designed or used for collecting or conveying stormwater;

(3) Which is not a combined sewer; and

(4) Which is not part of a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) as defined at 40 CFR 122.2 (40 CFR 122.26(b)(8)) (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) means the national program for issuing, modifying, revoking and reissuing, terminating, monitoring and enforcing permits, and imposing and enforcing pretreatment requirements, under CWA Sections 307, 402, 318, and 405. The term "National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System" includes an approved program (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Natural drainage system means a drainage system that has not been improved (e.g., channelized or armored). The clearing or dredging of a natural drainage system does not cause the system to be classified as an improved drainage system (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

New development means land disturbing activities; structural development, including construction or installation of a building or structure, creation of impervious surfaces, and land subdivision (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Non-stormwater discharge means any discharge to a municipal storm drain system that is not composed entirely of stormwater (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Parking lot means a land area or facility for the parking or storage of motor vehicles used for businesses, commerce, industry, or personal use, with a lot size of 5,000 square feet or more of surface area, or with 25 or more parking spaces (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Person means any individual, partnership, co-partnership, firm, company, corporation, association, joint-stock company, trust, state, governmental entity or any other legal entity, or their legal representatives, agents or assigns. The masculine gender shall include the feminine and the singular shall include the plural where indicated by the context.

Planning priority projects means development projects subject to permittee conditioning and approval for the design and implementation of post-construction controls to mitigate stormwater pollution, prior to completion of the project (Modified from: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Pollutant means any pollutant defined in Section 502(6) of the Federal Clean Water Act or incorporated into Water Code § 13373. Pollutants may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Commercial and industrial waste (such as fuels, solvents, detergents, plastic pellets, hazardous substances, fertilizers, pesticides, slag, ash, and sludge).

(2) Metals (such as cadmium, lead, zinc, copper, silver, nickel, chromium, and non-metals such as phosphorus and arsenic).

(3) Petroleum hydrocarbons (such as fuels, lubricants, surfactants, waste oils, solvents, coolants, and grease).

(4) Excessive eroded soil, sediment, and particulate materials in amounts that may adversely affect the beneficial use of the receiving waters, flora, or fauna of the State.

(5) Animal wastes (such as discharge from confinement facilities, kennels, pens, recreational facilities, stables, and show facilities).

(6) Substances having characteristics such as pH less than 6.0 or greater than 9.0, or unusual coloration or turbidity, or excessive levels of fecal coliform, or fecal streptococcus, or enterococcus.

Project means all development, redevelopment, and land disturbing activities. The term is not limited to "project" as defined under CEQA (Public Resources Code § 21065) (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Rainfall harvest and use means a LID BMP system designed to capture runoff, typically from a roof but can also include runoff captured from elsewhere within the site, and to provide for temporary storage until the harvested water can be used for irrigation or non-potable uses. The harvested water may also be used for potable water uses if the system includes disinfection treatment and is approved for such use by the local building department (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Receiving waters means waters of the United States into which waste and/or pollutants are or may be discharged (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Redevelopment means land disturbing activity that results in the creation, addition, or replacement of 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface area on an already developed site. Redevelopment includes, but is not limited to: the expansion of a building footprint; addition or replacement of a structure; replacement of impervious surface area that is not part of routine maintenance activity; and land disturbing activity related to structural or impervious surfaces. It does not include routine maintenance to maintain original line and grade, hydraulic capacity, or original purpose of facility, nor does it include emergency construction activities required to immediately protect public health and safety (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Regional Board means the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region.

Restaurant means a facility that sells prepared foods and drinks for consumption, including stationary lunch counters and refreshment stands selling prepared foods and drinks for immediate consumption (SIC Code 5812) (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175). (This definition is not applicable to any allowable land use in the City.)

Retail gasoline outlet means any facility engaged in selling gasoline and lubricating oils (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175). (This definition is not applicable to any allowable land use in the City.)

Routine maintenance.

(1) Routine maintenance projects include, but are not limited to, projects conducted to:

a. Maintain the original line and grade, hydraulic capacity, or original purpose of the facility.

b. Perform as needed restoration work to preserve the original design grade, integrity and hydraulic capacity of flood control facilities.

c. Perform road shoulder work, regrading dirt or gravel roadways and shoulders and performing ditch cleanouts.

d. Update existing lines and facilities to comply with applicable codes, standards, and regulations regardless if such projects result in increased capacity. The term "update existing lines" includes replacing existing lines with new materials or pipes.

e. Repair leaks.

(2) Routine maintenance does not include construction of new lines or facilities resulting from compliance with applicable codes, standards and regulations. New lines are those that are not associated with existing facilities and are not part of a project to update or replace existing lines (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Significant ecological areas (SEAs) means an area that is determined to possess an example of biotic resources that cumulatively represent biological diversity, for the purposes of protecting biotic diversity, as part of the County General Plan. Areas are designated as SEAs if they possess one or more of the following criteria:

(1) The habitat of rare, endangered, and threatened plant and animal species.

(2) Biotic communities, vegetative associations, and habitat of plant and animal species that are either one of a kind or are restricted in distribution on a regional basis.

(3) Biotic communities, vegetative associations, and habitat of plant and animal species that are either one of a kind or are restricted in distribution in the County.

(4) Habitat that at some point in the life cycle of a species or group of species, serves as a concentrated breeding, feeding, resting, migrating grounds and is limited in availability either regionally or within the County.

(5) Biotic resources that are of scientific interest because they are either an extreme in physical/geographical limitations, or represent an unusual variation in a population or community.

(6) Areas important as game species habitat or as fisheries.

(7) Areas that would provide for the preservation of relatively undisturbed examples of natural biotic communities in the County.

(8) Special areas (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Site means land or water area where any "facility or activity" is physically located or conducted, including adjacent land used in connection with the facility or activity (Source: Order No. R4-2012-0175).

Storm drain system means any facilities or any part of those facilities, including streets, gutters, conduits, natural or artificial drains, channels, and watercourses that are used for the purpose of collecting, storing, transporting or disposing of stormwater and are located within the City.

Stormwater means water that originates from atmospheric moisture (rain or snow) and that falls onto land, water, or other surfaces. Without any change in its meaning, the term "stormwater" may be spelled or written as one word or two separate words.

Stormwater runoff means that part of precipitation (rainfall or snowmelt) which travels across a surface to the storm drain system or receiving waters.

SUSMP means the Los Angeles Countywide Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan. The SUSMP was required as part of the previous municipal NPDES permit (Order No. 01-182, NPDES No. CAS004001) and required plans that designate best management practices (BMPs) that must be used in specified categories of development projects.

Urban runoff means surface water flow produced by storm and non-storm events. Non-storm events include flow from residential, commercial, or industrial activities involving the use of potable and non-potable water.

(Prior Code, § 7403; Ord. No. 330, § 2, 10-15-2013)

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Sec. 15.04.050. - Construction and application.

This chapter shall be construed to assure consistency with the requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act and act amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto, applicable implementing regulations, and the municipal NPDES permit, and any amendment, revision or reissuance thereof.

(Prior Code, § 7404)

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Sec. 15.04.060. - Prohibited activities.

(a) Illicit discharges and connections. It is prohibited to commence, establish, use, maintain, or continue any illicit connection to the municipal separate storm sewer system or any illicit discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer system. This prohibition against illicit connections applies to the use, maintenance, or continuation of any illicit connection, whether that connection was established prior to, or after the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived.

(b) Littering. It is prohibited to throw, deposit, place, leave, maintain or keep, or permit to be thrown, deposited, placed, left, maintained or kept, any refuse, rubbish, garbage, or any other discarded or abandoned objects, articles or accumulations, in or upon any street, driveway, trail, storm drain, inlet, catchbasin conduit or drainage structure, or upon any private plot of land in the City, so that the same might be or become a pollutant. No person shall throw or deposit litter in any fountain, pond, stream, or other body of water within the City. This subsection shall not apply to refuse, rubbish or garbage deposited in containers, bags or other appropriate receptacles which are placed in designated locations for regular solid waste pick up and disposal.

(c) Disposal of landscape debris. It is prohibited to intentionally dispose of leaves, dirt, or other landscape debris into the municipal separate storm sewer system.

(d) Non-stormwater discharges. The following non-stormwater discharges into the municipal stormwater system are prohibited unless in compliance with a separate NPDES permit or pursuant to a discharge exemption by the Regional Bard, the Regional Board's Executive Officer, or the State Water Resources Control Board:

(1) The discharge of untreated wastewater to the MS4 from mobile auto washing, steam cleaning, mobile carpet cleaning, and other such mobile commercial and industrial operations;

(2) To the maximum extent practicable, discharges to the MS4 from areas where repair or machinery and equipment, including motor vehicles, which are visibly leaking oil, fluid or antifreeze, is undertaken;

(3) Discharges of untreated runoff to the MS4 from storage areas of materials containing grease, oil, or other hazardous substances, and uncovered receptacles containing hazardous materials;

(4) Discharges of commercial swimming pool filter backwash to the MS4;

(5) Discharges of untreated runoff from the washing of toxic materials from paved or unpaved areas to the MS4; provided, however, that non-industrial and noncommercial activities which incidentally generate urban runoff, such as the hosing of driveways, and the noncommercial hand-washing of cars, shall be excluded from this prohibition;

(6) To the maximum extent practicable, discharges to the MS4 from washing impervious surfaces in commercial areas which results in a discharge of untreated runoff to the MS4, unless specifically required by the State's, or the City's, or the County's health;

(7) Discharges from the washing out of concrete trucks into the MS4;

(8) Discharges to the MS4 of any pesticide, fungicide, or herbicide, banned by the USEPA or the State Department of Pesticide Regulation; or

(9) The disposal of hazardous wastes into trash containers used for municipal trash disposal where such disposal causes or threatens to cause a direct or indirect discharge to the MS4.

(e) Discharges in violation of the municipal NPDES permit. Any discharge that would result in or contribute to a violation of the municipal NPDES permit, either separately or in combination with other discharges, is prohibited. Liability for any such discharge shall be the responsibility of the person causing or responsible for the discharge, and such person shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City from all losses, liabilities, claims, or causes of actions in any administrative or judicial action relating to such discharge.

(Prior Code, § 7405)

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Sec. 15.04.070. - Exempted discharges, conditionally exempted discharges, or designated…

Discharges from those activities specifically identified in, or pursuant to, Part III.A.2 of the municipal NPDES permit as being exempted discharges, conditionally exempted discharges, or designated discharges shall not be considered a violation of this chapter, provided that any applicable BMPs developed pursuant to the municipal NDPES permit are implemented to minimize any adverse impacts from such identified sources.

(Prior Code, § 7406; Ord. No. 330, § 3, 10-15-2013)

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Sec. 15.04.080. - Requirements for existing properties; good housekeeping provisions.

Owners and occupants of property within the City shall comply with the following requirements:

(1) Septic waste. No person shall leave, deposit, discharge, dump, or otherwise expose any chemical or septic waste to precipitation in an area where a discharge to streets or the MS4 may or does occur.

(2) Use of water. Runoff of water used for irrigation purposes shall be minimized to the maximum extent practicable. Runoff of water from the permitted washing down of paved areas shall be minimized to the maximum extent practicable.

(3) Storage of materials, machinery, and equipment. Machinery or equipment that is to be repaired or maintained in areas susceptible to or exposed to stormwater, shall be placed in a manner so that leaks, spills and other maintenance-related pollutants are not discharged to the MS4.

(4) Removal and disposal of debris from commercial and institutional motor vehicle parking lots. Commercial and institutional motor vehicle parking lots with more than 25 parking spaces that are located in areas potentially exposed to stormwater shall be swept regularly or other equally effective measures shall be utilized to remove debris from such parking lots.

(5) Food wastes. Food wastes generated by nonresidential food service and food distribution sources shall be properly disposed of and in a manner so such wastes are not discharged to the municipal separate storm sewer system.

(6) Best management practices. Best management practices shall be used in areas exposed to stormwater for the removal and lawful disposal of all fuels, chemicals, fuel and chemical materials which have potential adverse impacts on water quality.

(Prior Code, § 7407)

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Sec. 15.04.090. - Requirements for commercial and construction activities.

Each commercial discharger, discharger associates with construction activity, or other discharger described in any general stormwater permit addressing such discharges as may be issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the State Water Resources Control Board, or the Regional Board shall comply with all requirements of such permit. Each discharger identified in an individual NPDES permit shall comply with and undertake all activities required by such permit. Proof of compliance with any such permit may be required in a form acceptable to the authorized enforcement officer prior to the issuance of any grading, building or occupancy permits, or any other type of permit or license issued by the City.

(Prior Code, § 7408)

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Sec. 15.04.100. - Enforcement.

(a) Violations deemed a public nuisance.

(1) Any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is hereby determined to be a threat to the public health, safety and welfare, is declared and deemed a public nuisance, and may be abated or restored by any authorized enforcement officer, and a civil or criminal action to abate, enjoin or otherwise compel the cessation of such nuisance may be brought by the City Attorney.

(2) The cost of such abatement and restoration shall be borne by the owner of the property and the cost thereof shall be invoiced to the owner of the property, as provided by law or ordinance for the recovery of nuisance abatement costs.

(3) If any violation of this chapter constitutes a seasonal and recurrent nuisance, the authorized enforcement officer shall so declare. The failure of any person to take appropriate annual precautions to prevent stormwater pollution after written notice of a determination under this subsection shall constitute a public nuisance and a violation of this chapter.

(b) Concealment. Causing, permitting, aiding, abetting, or concealing a violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute a violation such of provision.

(c) Civil actions. In addition to any other remedies provided in this section, any violation of this chapter may be enforced by civil action brought by the City. In any such action, the City may seek, as appropriate, any or all of the following remedies:

(1) A temporary and/or permanent injunction.

(2) Assessment of the violator for the costs of any investigation, inspection, or monitoring survey which led to the establishment of the violation, and for the reasonable costs of preparing and bringing legal action under this subsection (c).

(3) Costs incurred in removing, correcting, or terminating the adverse effects resulting from violation.

(4) Compensatory damages for loss or destruction to water quality, wildlife, fish and aquatic life.

(d) Administrative enforcement powers. In addition to the other enforcement powers and remedies established by this chapter, the authorized enforcement officer has the authority to utilize the following administrative remedies:

(1) Cease and desist orders. When an authorized enforcement officer finds that a discharge has taken place or is likely to take place in violation of this chapter, the officers may issue an order to cease and desist such discharge, or practice, or operation likely to cause such discharge and direct that those persons not complying shall:

a. Comply with the requirements;

b. Comply with a time schedule for compliance; and

c. Take appropriate remedial or preventive action to prevent the violation from recurring.

(2) Notice to clean. Whenever an authorized enforcement officer finds any oil, earth, debris, grass, weeds, dead trees, tin cans, rubbish, refuse, waste or any other material of any kind, in or upon the roadway or trail abutting or adjoining any parcel of land, or upon any parcel of land or grounds, which may result in pollutants entering the municipal separate storm sewer system or a non-stormwater discharge to the MS4, such authorized enforcement officer may give notice to the owner or occupant or the adjacent property to remove such oil, earth, debris, grass, weeds, dead trees, tin cans, rubbish, refuse, waste or other material, in any manner that the enforcement officer may reasonably provide. The recipient of such notice shall undertake the activities as described in the notice.

(e) Penalties. Violation of this chapter shall be punishable as a misdemeanor, punishable as set forth in Section 1.03.010. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.

(f) Permit revocation. To the extent the City makes a provision of this chapter or any identified BMP a condition of approval to the issuance of a permit or license, any person in violation of such condition is subject to the permit revocation procedures set forth in this Code.

(g) Remedies. Remedies specified in this chapter are in addition to and do not supersede or limit any and all other remedies, civil or criminal. The remedies provided for herein shall be cumulative and not exclusive.

(Prior Code, § 7409)

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Sec. 15.04.110. - No taking.

The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed or operate to deprive any property owner of substantially all of the market value of such owner's property or otherwise constitute an unconstitutional taking without compensation.

(Prior Code, § 7410)

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Sec. 15.04.120. - Stormwater pollution control measures for development planning and…

(a) Objective. The provisions of this section contain requirements for construction activities and facility operations of development and redevelopment projects to comply with the current municipal NPDES permit, lessen the water quality impacts of development by using smart growth practices, and integrate LID design principles to mimic predevelopment hydrology through infiltration, evapotranspiration and rainfall harvest and use. LID shall be inclusive of SUSMP requirements.

(b) Scope. This section contains requirements for stormwater pollution control measures in development and redevelopment projects and authorizes the City to further define and adopt stormwater pollution control measures, develop LID principles and requirements, including, but not limited to, the objectives and specifications for integration of LID strategies, grant waivers from the requirements of the standard urban stormwater mitigation plan, and collect funds for projects that are granted waivers. Except as otherwise provided herein, the City shall administer, implement and enforce the provisions of this section.

(c) Applicability. The following development and redevelopment projects, termed "planning priority projects," shall comply with the stormwater pollution control requirements of this section:

(1) All development projects equal to one acre or greater of disturbed area that add more than 10,000 square feet of impervious surface area.

(2) Industrial parks 10,000 square feet or more of surface area.

(3) Commercial malls 10,000 square feet or more of surface area.

(4) Retail gasoline outlets with 5,000 square feet or more of surface area.

(5) Restaurants (Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) of 5812) with 5,000 square feet or more of surface area.

(6) Parking lots with 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface area, or with 25 or more parking spaces.

(7) Streets and roads construction of 10,000 square feet or more of impervious surface area.

(8) Automotive service facilities (Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) of 5013, 5014, 5511, 5541, 7532—7534 and 7536-7539) 5,000 square feet or more of surface area.

(9) Projects located in or directly adjacent to, or discharging directly to an environmentally sensitive area (ESA), where the development will:

a. Discharge stormwater runoff that is likely to impact a sensitive biological species or habitat; and

b. Create 2,500 square feet or more of impervious surface area.

(10) Single-family hillside homes.

(11) Redevelopment projects.

a. Land disturbing activity that results in the creation or addition or replacement of 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface area on an already developed site on planning priority project categories.

b. Where redevelopment results in an alteration to more than 50 percent of impervious surfaces of a previously existing development, and the existing development was not subject to post-construction stormwater quality control requirements, the entire project must be mitigated.

c. Where redevelopment results in an alteration of less than 50 percent of impervious surfaces of a previously existing development, and the existing development was not subject to post-construction stormwater quality control requirements, only the alteration must be mitigated, and not the entire development.

d. The term "redevelopment" does not include routine maintenance activities that are conducted to maintain original line and grade, hydraulic capacity, original purpose of facility or emergency redevelopment activity required to protect public health and safety. Impervious surface replacement, such as the reconstruction of parking lots and roadways which does not disturb additional area and maintains the original grade and alignment, is considered a routine maintenance activity. The term "redevelopment" does not include the repaving of existing roads to maintain original line and grade.

e. Existing single-family dwelling and accessory structures are exempt from the redevelopment requirements unless such projects create, add, or replace 10,000 square feet of impervious surface area.

(d) Land use and zoning. Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to expand the land uses permitted in any zone in the City.

(e) Effective date. The planning and land development requirements contained in Section 7 of Order No. R4-2012-0175 shall become effective immediately upon adoption of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived. This includes planning priority projects that are discretionary permit projects or project phases that have not been deemed complete for processing, or discretionary permit projects without vesting tentative maps that have not requested and received an extension of previously granted approvals within 90 days of adoption of the order on February 6, 2013. Projects that have been deemed complete within 90 days of adoption of the order are not subject to the requirements of said Section 7.

(Prior Code, § 7411; Ord. No. 330, § 4, 10-15-2013)

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Sec. 15.04.130. - Stormwater pollution control requirements.

The site for every planning priority project shall be designed to control pollutants, pollutant loads, and runoff volume to the maximum extent feasible by minimizing impervious surface area and controlling runoff from impervious surfaces through infiltration, evapotranspiration, bioretention and/or rainfall harvest and use.

(1) A new single-family hillside home development shall include mitigation measures to:

a. Conserve natural areas;

b. Protect slopes and channels;

c. Provide storm drain system stenciling and signage;

d. Divert roof runoff to vegetated areas before discharge, unless the diversion would result in slope instability; and

e. Direct surface flow to vegetated areas before discharge, unless the diversion would result in slope instability.

(2) Street and road construction of 10,000 square feet or more of impervious surface shall follow USEPA guidance regarding Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure: Green Streets (December 2008 EPA-833-F-08-009) to the maximum extent practicable.

(3) The remainder of planning priority projects shall prepare a LID plan to comply with the following:

a. Retain stormwater runoff on site for the stormwater quality design volume (SWQDv), defined as the runoff from:

  1. The 85th percentile 24-hour runoff event as determined from the County 85th percentile precipitation isohyetal map; or

  2. The volume of runoff produced from a 0.75 inch, 24-hour rain event, whichever is greater.

b. Minimize hydromodification impacts to natural drainage systems as defined in the municipal NPDES permit. Hydromodification requirements are further specified in the County Department of Public Works' Stormwater Best Management Practices Design and Maintenance Manual.

c. When, as determined by the City, 100 percent on-site retention of the SWQDv is technically infeasible, partially or fully, the infeasibility shall be demonstrated in the submitted LID plan. The technical infeasibility may result from conditions that may include, but are not limited to:

  1. The infiltration rate of saturated in-situ soils is less than 0.3 inch per hour and it is not technically feasible to amend the in-situ soils to attain an infiltration rate necessary to achieve reliable performance of infiltration or bioretention BMPs in retaining the SWQDv on site;

  2. Locations where seasonal high groundwater is within five to ten feet of surface grade;

  3. Locations within 100 feet of a groundwater well used for drinking water;

  4. Brownfield development sites or other locations where pollutant mobilization is a documented concern;

  5. Locations with potential geotechnical hazards;

  6. Smart growth and infill or redevelopment locations where the density and/or nature of the project would create significant difficulty for compliance with the on-site volume retention requirement.

d. Alternative compliance options.

  1. If partial or complete on-site retention is technically infeasible, the project site may biofiltrate 1.5 times the portion of the remaining SWQDv that is not reliably retained on site. Biofiltration BMPs must adhere to the design specifications provided in the municipal NPDES permit.

  2. Additional alternative compliance options such as off-site infiltration may be available to the project site. The project site should contact the City to determine eligibility. Alternative compliance options are further specified in County Department of Public Works' Stormwater Best Management Practices Design and Maintenance Manual.

e. The remaining SWQDv that cannot be retained or biofiltered on site must be treated on site to reduce pollutant loading. BMPs must be selected and designed to meet pollutant-specific benchmarks as required per the municipal NPDES permit. Flow-through BMPs may be used to treat the remaining SWQDv and must be sized based on a rainfall intensity of:

  1. 0.2 inches per hour; or

  2. The one-year, one-hour rainfall intensity as determined from the most recent Los Angeles County isohyetal map, whichever is greater.

f. A multi-phased project may comply with the standards and requirements of this section for all of its phases by designing a system acceptable to the City to satisfy these standards and requirements for the entire site during the first phase, and implementing these standards and requirements for each phase of development or redevelopment of the site during the first phase or prior to commencement of construction of a later phase, to the extent necessary to treat the stormwater from such later phase. For purposes of this section, the term "multi-phased project" means any planning priority project implemented over more than one phase and the site of a multi-phased project shall include any land and water area designed and used to store, treat or manage stormwater runoff in connection with the development or redevelopment, including any tracts, lots, or parcels of real property, whether developed or not, associated with, functionally connected to, or under common ownership or control with such development or redevelopment.

(Prior Code, § 7412; Ord. No. 330, § 5, 10-15-2013)

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Sec. 15.04.140. - Review of the urban stormwater mitigation plan by the City.

The City shall review the LID plan to assure that all elements of the plan have been addressed and that the applicant has identified the BMPs necessary to protect the MS4. The Director or the Director's designee shall identify any deficiencies in the plan and return it to the applicant for modification. When the plan is found to comply with the provisions of this section, the grading or building permits may be issued for the projects. If, during construction, the plan is found to be deficient by the City or any other interested party, the applicant shall amend the plan to address the deficiency.

(Prior Code, § 7414; Ord. No. 330, § 6, 10-15-2013)

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Sec. 15.04.150. - Filing of the urban stormwater mitigation plan.

Upon acceptance of the LID plan by the City, the applicant shall file a signed original of the plan with the County Recorder. The document shall contain sufficient legal description to identify the property covered and shall be binding on the applicant and all successors in interest to the property. The form shall be provided by the City and shall only be amended or removed from title with the consent of the City.

(Prior Code, § 7415; Ord. No. 330, § 6, 10-15-2013)

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Sec. 15.04.160. - Stormwater and urban runoff pollution educational program.

The City Engineer, along with other Departments, shall conduct an informational program to educate the public about the dangers of runoff pollution and the means of controlling such pollution. The program shall educate residents and business persons that operate within the City about the contents of this chapter. The public education program may be conducted in conjunction with the countywide NPDES educational effort.

(Prior Code, § 7417)

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Sec. 15.04.170. - Inspection.

Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of this chapter, or whenever any officer authorized by the City Administrator to enforce this chapter has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises a condition which constitutes a violation of the provisions of this chapter, the officer may, in a manner prescribed by law, enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or perform any duty necessary to enforce this chapter.

(Prior Code, § 7418)

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Sec. 15.04.180. - Disclaimer of liability.

The degree of protection required by the chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific, engineering and other relevant technical considerations. The standards set forth herewith are minimum standards and this chapter does not imply that compliance will ensure that there will be no unauthorized discharge of pollutants into the waters of the United States. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the City, or any officer, employee, or agents thereof, and for damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.

(Prior Code, § 7419)

Exceptions & meaning →

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