Rancho Cordova Municipal Code Art. II Prohibited Non-storm Water Discharges

Except as provided in RCMC § 15.12.110, it shall be unlawful for any person to make or cause to be made any non-storm water discharge indirectly or directly to the city receiving waters.

(Ord. 41-2004 § 2; Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A))

The following discharges to the MS4 are exempt from the otherwise applicable discharge prohibition set forth in RCMC § 15.12.100:

A. Any discharge regulated under an NPDES permit issued to the discharger and administered by the state pursuant to Chapter 5.5 of Division 7 of the California Water Code; provided, that any such discharge is in compliance with all requirements of the NPDES permit and all other applicable laws and regulations.

B. Any discharge from any of the following activities; provided, that any such discharge does not cause or contribute to the violation of any receiving water limitation as determined by the administrator:

1. Water line flushing;

2. Landscape irrigation;

3. Diverted stream flows;

4. Rising groundwaters;

5. Uncontaminated groundwater infiltration (as defined in 40 CFR 35.2005(b)(20)) to separate storm sewers;

6. Uncontaminated pumped groundwater;

7. Discharges from potable water sources;

8. Foundation drains;

9. Air conditioning condensate;

10. Irrigation water;

11. Springs;

12. Water from crawlspace pumps;

13. Footing drains;

14. Lawn watering;

15. Individual residential car washing;

16. Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands;

17. Dechlorinated/dibrominated swimming pool/spa discharges;

18. Street wash water; and

19. Essential nonemergency and emergency firefighting activities.

C. Any discharges which the administrator, the city public works director, or the Regional Water Board determines in writing are necessary for the protection of public health or safety.

D. Additional categories of non-storm water discharges which do not cause or contribute to the violation of any receiving water limitation may be excepted from the otherwise applicable prohibition by the administrator upon approval of the executive officer of the Regional Water Board, as provided in the municipal storm water permit, and all subsequent amendments and renewals.

(Ord. 41-2004 § 2; Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A))

Notwithstanding the exemptions provided for in RCMC § 15.12.110, if the Regional Water Board or the administrator determines that a discharge which is otherwise exempt from the prohibition on discharges causes or significantly contributes to the violation of any receiving water limitation or results in the conveyance of significant quantities of pollutants to surface waters, or is otherwise a danger to public health or safety, the administrator may give written notice to the owner or operator of the facility that the discharge exception shall not apply to the discharge at issue following expiration of the 30-day period commencing upon delivery of the notice. Upon expiration of such 30-day period, any such discharge shall be unlawful. Upon finding that any continuance of the discharge poses an immediate significant threat to the environment or to public health and safety, the administrator may waive the 30-day waiting period and require immediate cessation of the discharge.

(Ord. 41-2004 § 2; Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A))

It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge, or cause to be discharged, any material to the city's storm water conveyance system which results in, or contributes to, a violation of the municipal storm water permit.

(Ord. 41-2004 § 2; Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A))

It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain, or cause to be maintained, a threatened prohibited non-storm water discharge after having received notice of the administrator's determination as to the existence of a threatened prohibited non-storm water discharge. This section may be enforced pursuant to Article V of this chapter.

(Ord. 41-2004 § 2; Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A))

A. It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to establish, use or maintain, or cause to establish, use or maintain, any illicit connection. Illicit connections shall be subject to removal and abatement by the city pursuant to Chapter 16.02 RCMC.

B. The prohibition set forth in subsection (A) of this section shall apply to illicit connections in existence at the time that the ordinance codified in this chapter becomes effective. Upon the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, any person or entity who maintains an illicit connection shall have 30 days from the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter to disconnect and discontinue use of such connection. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any person who maintains an illicit connection, as defined in RCMC § 15.12.030, may apply to the administrator to continue the connection subject to applicable city standards.

(Ord. 41-2004 § 2; Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A))

A violation of the provisions of this article shall occur irrespective of the negligence or intent of the violator to construct, maintain, operate, or utilize an illicit connection or to cause, allow or facilitate any prohibited discharge.

(Ord. 41-2004 § 2; Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A))