San Luis Obispo Municipal Code Ch. 12.08 Urban Stormwater Quality Management and Discharge Control

This chapter may also be cited as the “stormwater quality ordinance” of the city of San Luis Obispo. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

The purpose and intent of this chapter is to ensure the health, safety, and general welfare of citizens, and protect and enhance the quality of watercourses and water bodies in a manner pursuant to and consistent with the Clean Water Act by reducing pollutants in stormwater discharges to the maximum extent practicable, by prohibiting non-stormwater discharges to the storm drain system, and improving stormwater management. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

The terms used in this chapter shall have the following meanings:

A. “Authorized representative” means that person designated in writing to the director by the property owner to act on behalf of the property owner.

B. “Best management practice” or “BMP” means activities, practices, and procedures to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants directly or indirectly to the storm drain system and waters of the United States. BMPs include but are not limited to treatment facilities to remove pollutants from stormwater; operating and maintenance procedures; facility management practices to control runoff, spillage or leaks of non-stormwater, waste disposal, and drainage from materials storage; erosion and sediment control practices; and the prohibition of specific activities, practices, and procedures and such other provisions as the city determines appropriate for the control of pollutants.

C. “City” shall mean the city of San Luis Obispo.

D. “Clean Water Act” means the federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 USC 1251 et seq., and any subsequent amendments thereto.

E. “Construction activity” means any of the following activities: including but not limited to clearing and grubbing, grading, excavating, demolition and construction.

F. “Director” means the community development director or public works director or utilities director of the city, acting either directly or through an authorized designee. When this chapter refers to “director,” it shall refer to each, all, or any combination of these persons.

G. “Groundwater” means any naturally occurring subsurface water, including springs.

H. “Hazardous material” means any material, including any substance, waste, or combination thereof, which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics may cause, or significantly contribute to, a substantial present or potential hazard to human health, safety, property, or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed, as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 25501.

I. “Illegal discharge” means any direct or indirect non-stormwater discharge to the storm drain system, except as exempted by this chapter.

J. “Illicit connection” means any of the following:

1. Any conveyance system, whether on the surface or subsurface, which allows an illegal discharge to enter the storm drain system including, but not limited to, sewage, process wastewater, wash water, pool or spa water.

2. Any connections to the storm drain system from indoor drains and sinks not currently exempted or permitted, regardless of whether the drain or connection has been previously allowed, permitted, or approved by a government agency.

3. Any drain or conveyance connected from any land use to the storm drain system which has not been documented and approved by the city.

4. Any unpermitted connection of a stormwater system to the publicly owned treatment works as defined in this chapter.

K. “Incidental runoff” means unintended amounts (volume) of runoff, such as unintended, minimal over-spray from sprinklers that escapes the area of intended use. Water leaving an intended use area is not considered incidental if it is part of the facility design, if it is due to excessive application, if it is due to intentional overflow or application, or if it is due to negligence.

L. “Industrial activity” means any activity subject to an NPDES industrial permit as defined in 40 CFR Section 122.26(b)(14).

M. “Municipal separate storm sewer system” or “MS4” means the public portion of the storm drain system.

N. “National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System” or “NPDES” means the general, group, and individual stormwater discharge permits which regulate facilities defined in federal NPDES regulations pursuant to the Clean Water Act.

O. “Non-stormwater discharge” means any discharge to the storm drain system that is not composed entirely of stormwater.

P. “Pollutant” means anything which causes or contributes to pollution including, but not limited to, paints, varnishes, and solvents; oil and other automotive fluids; nonhazardous liquid and solid wastes and yard wastes; refuse, rubbish, garbage, litter, or other discarded or abandoned objects, articles, and accumulations, so that same may cause or contribute to pollution; floatables; pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers; hazardous substances and wastes; sewage, fecal coliform and pathogens; dissolved and particulate metals; animal wastes, either from domestic or wild animals or birds; wastes and residues that result from constructing a building or structure, including but not limited to dirt, sediment, slurry, and concrete residuals; and noxious or offensive matter of any kind.

Q. “Pollution” means the human-made or human-induced alteration of the quality of waters by waste or pollutants, or the presence of a substance in the environment that, because of its chemical composition or quantity, prevents the functioning of natural processes and produces undesirable environmental and health effects or alters the quality of the water to a degree that unreasonably affects the waters for beneficial uses or the facilities which serve these beneficial uses.

R. “Porter-Cologne Act” means the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (California Water Code Section 13000 et seq.) as amended.

S. “Premises” means any building, lot, parcel of land, or portion of land, whether improved or unimproved, including adjacent sidewalks and parking strips.

T. “Property owner(s),” means the person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind that has ownership rights to property regulated under this chapter, including but not limited to land and any improvements thereon, including structure or portions of a structure. For property owned jointly or in common, including property within a common area of a common interest development (as such terms are respectively defined in California Civil Code Sections 4095 and 4100), the “property owner” for the purposes of this chapter includes the homeowners’ association, association (as that term is defined in California Civil Code Section 4080) or any other similar organization with the obligation to maintain the property on behalf of the common owners.

U. “Storm drain system” means any public or private facilities by which stormwater is collected and/or conveyed, including but not limited to roads, sidewalks, gutters, curbs, inlets, piped storm drains, pumping facilities, retention and detention basins, natural and human-made or altered drainage channels and swales, reservoirs, lakes, creeks, waters of the United States and other drainage structures which are within the city and are not part of a publicly owned treatment works as defined at 40 CFR Section 122.2.

1. Public facilities are those owned, maintained and operated by the city and other public agencies, including the enclosed system of pipelines, catch basins, manholes and junction structures.

2. Private facilities are those on private property or under the control of persons other than the city or other public agencies.

V. “Stormwater” means any surface flow, runoff, and drainage consisting entirely of water from any form of natural precipitation, and resulting from such precipitation.

W. “Stormwater pollution prevention plan” or “SWPPP” means a plan that identifies sources of pollution and provides direction during construction to the contractor and owner, using BMPs to prevent pollution from occurring.

X. “Watercourse” means any well defined channel with a distinguishable bed and bank showing evidence of having contained flowing water indicated by deposit of rock, sand, gravel, or soil, including but not limited to creeks. “Watercourses” also includes human-made watercourses.

Y. “Waters of the United States” means surface watercourses and water bodies as defined at 40 CFR Section 122.2, including all natural waterways and definite channels and depressions in the earth that may carry water, even though such waterways may only carry water during rains and storms and may not carry stormwater at and during all times and seasons.

Z. “Uncontaminated ground water infiltration” means water other than wastewater that enters a sewer system (including sewer service connections and foundation drains) from the ground through such means as defective pipes, pipe joints, connections, or manholes. Infiltration does not include, and is distinguished from, inflow. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

This chapter shall apply to all sources and potential sources of discharge entering the storm drain system generated on any developed and undeveloped lands within the city. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

The director shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

The provisions of this chapter are hereby declared to be severable. If any provision, clause, sentence, or paragraph of this chapter or the application thereof to any person, establishment, or circumstances shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions or application of this chapter. (Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

This chapter shall be construed to assure consistency with the requirements of the Clean Water Act and Porter-Cologne Act and acts amended thereto or supplementary thereto, or any applicable implementing regulations. (Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

The standards set forth herein and promulgated pursuant to this chapter are minimum standards; therefore this chapter does not intend nor imply that a person’s compliance will ensure that there will be no contamination, pollution, nor unauthorized discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the city, or any of its employees or agents, for any damages that result from any person’s reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder. (Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the storm drain system any materials, including but not limited to pollutants or waters containing any pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards, other than stormwater, including water waste runoff as defined in Section 13.07.020(B).

An illegal discharge is assumed to have occurred if prohibited material is placed, blown, washed, tracked or in any way allowed to accumulate in any part of the MS4 so that it can be conveyed by stormwater. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

Discharges through the storm drain system of material other than stormwater to waters of the United States shall be effectively prohibited, except as allowed under this section or as otherwise authorized by a separate NPDES permit. The following non-stormwater discharges are not prohibited, provided any pollutant discharges are identified and appropriate control measures to minimize the impacts of such discharges are developed and implemented. This provision does not obviate the need to obtain any other appropriate permits for such discharges.

A. Water line flushing;

B. Individual residential car washing;

C. Diverted stream flows;

D. Rising ground waters;

E. Uncontaminated ground water infiltration to separate storm sewers;

F. Uncontaminated pumped ground water;

G. Discharges from potable water sources;

H. Foundation drains;

I. Air conditioning condensation;

J. Springs;

K. Water from crawl space pumps;

L. Footing drains;

M. Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands;

N. Dechlorinated swimming pool discharges;

O. Incidental runoff from landscaped areas;

P. Non-stormwater discharge permitted under an NPDES permit, waiver, low-threat discharge permit or waste discharge order issued to the discharger and administered by the state of California under the authority of the federal Environmental Protection Agency; provided, that the discharger is in full compliance with all requirements of the permit, waiver, or order and other applicable laws and regulations; and provided, that written approval has been granted by the utilities director for any discharge to the storm drain system;

Q. Runoff in excess of incidental runoff from landscaped areas shall be controlled as outlined in Chapter 13.07;

R. Discharges or flows from firefighting activities are excluded from the effective prohibition against non-stormwater discharge and need only be addressed where they are identified as significant sources of pollutants to waters of the United States; and

S. With written concurrence of the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, the city may exempt in writing other non-stormwater discharges, which are not a source of pollutants to the storm drain system or waters of the United States.

If the director determines that any individual or class of non-stormwater discharge(s) listed above may be a significant source of pollutants to waters of the United States or storm drain system, or poses a threat to water quality standards, the director may require the appropriate discharger(s) to monitor and submit a report and to implement best management practices on the discharge. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

The construction, use, maintenance or continued existence of illicit connections to the storm drain system is prohibited. This prohibition expressly includes, without limitation, illicit connections made in the past, regardless of whether the connection was permissible under law or practices applicable or prevailing at the time of connection. A connection shall be considered illicit if it does not comply with the requirements of Section 12.08.180. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

A. Waste. No person shall throw, deposit, leave, maintain, keep, or permit to be thrown, deposited, left, or maintained, in or upon any public or private property, driveway, parking area, street, alley, sidewalk, component of the storm drain system, or water of the United States, any pollutant, so that the same may cause or contribute to pollution.

B. Sidewalk Cross Drainage. No person shall place, erect or maintain any rainwater leader drain, pipe, conduit or swale as to convey, carry or discharge any water on or to any sidewalk in the city, but all leaders, drains, pipes, conduits, and swales conveying, carrying or discharging water exempt under this chapter to or beyond the exterior boundary of the lot or premises on which the same is erected, placed or maintained, must be led under the sidewalk to the gutter. Facilities not in compliance with this section shall be considered a public nuisance and abated in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 8.24.

C. Drainage to Public Facilities. No person shall cause water to be deposited to the public street or other public facility which results in an organic growth of any kind in the public facility, particularly that which creates a slick surface. Such growth shall be considered a public nuisance and abated in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 8.24. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

A. Property Maintenance. Where it is determined by the city or by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board that an area used by animals is affecting water quality, the city will require the property owner or authorized representative to implement measures, which may include installation of preclusionary devices, to eliminate the pollution and prevent the migration of waste components to the storm drain system. Installation of devices or measures may require permits from the city or other regulatory agency. Installation, maintenance and permitting as well as all associated costs are the responsibility of the property owner.

B. Feeding Near Water Bodies. No person shall feed feral animals or deposit or leave any foodstuff of any kind or nature, except in a trash receptacle provided for that purpose.

C. Domesticated Animal Waste. All persons owning, possessing, in control of, or otherwise responsible for an animal must promptly collect, pick up and remove all fecal matter left by the animal on public or private lands. Animals in agricultural areas are not covered under this subsection if the area complies with subsection A of this section or is covered under separate regulation. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

Any person subject to an industrial or construction activity NPDES stormwater discharge permit shall comply with all provisions of such permit. Proof of compliance, in a form acceptable to the director, shall be provided:

A. Prior to or as a condition of a subdivision map, site plan, building permit, or development or improvement plan;

B. Upon inspection of the facility;

C. During any enforcement proceeding or action; or

D. For any other reasonable cause. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

A. Authorization to Adopt BMPs. The city recognizes the current requirements of the State Water Resources Control Board for general permits for construction, industrial and municipal activities. In addition to the requirements of these general permits, the city is authorized under state and federal law to determine additional requirements identifying BMPs for any activity, operation, or facility which may cause or contribute to degradation, pollution, or contamination of stormwater, the storm drain system, or waters of the United States.

B. Authorization to Impose BMP. Where the city or any federal, state of California, or regional agency has adopted BMP requirements for any activity, operation, or facility which may cause or contribute to stormwater pollution or contamination, illicit discharges, and/or discharge of non-stormwater or pollutants, or degradation to the storm drain system or waters of the United States, every person undertaking such activity or operation, or owning or operating such facility, shall comply with such requirements within the time limit or under the conditions set forth in the BMP.

C. Responsibility to Implement BMPs. Any person engaged in activities or operations, or owning facilities or property which will or may result in pollutants entering stormwater or the storm drain system, is responsible for the implementation and maintenance of BMPs discussed in this section. The owner or operator of a commercial or industrial establishment shall provide protection from accidental discharge of pollutants into the storm drain system. The owner or operator shall provide and maintain facilities to prevent accidental discharge of prohibited materials or other wastes at the owner’s or operator’s expense. Operators of construction sites, new or redeveloped land, and industrial and commercial facilities shall minimize the discharge of pollutants to the MS4 through the installation, implementation, and maintenance of BMPs consistent with the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) Best Management Practice Handbooks or equivalent.

D. Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Submittal. Prior to issuing a grading or building permit, the operator of the construction activity shall prepare and submit an erosion and sediment control plan to be reviewed by the city. An erosion and sediment control plan shall not be approved unless it contains, to the satisfaction of the city, appropriate site-specific construction site BMPs and includes the rationale used for selecting BMPs, including supporting soil loss calculations, if necessary. The erosion and sediment control plan must also list applicable permits directly associated with the grading activity, including but not limited to the State Water Board’s Construction General Permit (CGP), State Water Board 401 Water Quality Certification, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife 1600 Agreement. The operator must submit evidence to the city that all permits directly associated with the grading activity have been obtained prior to commencing the soil-disturbing activities authorized by the grading permit. If the erosion and sediment control plan is revised, the city shall review and approve those revisions. An SWPPP developed pursuant to the CGP may substitute for the erosion and sediment control plan. The city may request all information necessary from the permit applicant and/or operator of the construction activity to assess compliance with this chapter.

E. SWPPP Submittal and Maintenance. Prior to the city’s issuing any permit for projects that disturb one acre or more of soil or disturb less than one acre but are part of a larger common plan or development or sale are subject to the construction general permit (CGP) and must obtain a waste discharger identification (WDID) number from the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). The WDID is obtained by submitting a notice of intent (NOI) and stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) to the RWQCB. The SWPPP shall comply with the requirements of the CGP. The director will review the SWPPP for compliance with the requirements of this chapter. The SWPPP is a “living” document, meaning it must be adjusted during the course of the construction activity to adapt to new or unforeseen conditions and changing work to maintain compliance with the requirements of this chapter and any implementation guidelines promulgated by the city.

F. Compliance Assurance Deposit. A person with a project that includes a grading permit or any other permit that is likely to create a source of pollution shall submit a SWPPP compliance assurance construction security deposit in an amount to be fixed by the director to ensure NPDES compliance in accordance with the approved SWPPP. Should a project have inadequate BMPs, resulting in an illegal discharge, and if the SWPPP holder fails immediately to implement or maintain necessary BMPs to comply with this chapter upon receiving notice from the city, the city or its agent will install the BMPs and deduct payment for this work from the compliance assurance deposit. If that occurs, the compliance assurance deposit must be replenished to the original amount, or to the amount expended by the city for BMP installation, whichever is higher, and the city will issue a stop work order on the project until such occurs. When the project has received final clearance, the director will release the compliance assurance deposit. Compliance with this section does not absolve a person from other penalties and fines as provided for in this chapter.

G. New Development and Redevelopment Design Standards. The city will adopt design standards requiring appropriate BMPs to control the volume, rate, and potential pollutant load of stormwater runoff from newly developed and redeveloped property. Such requirements are incorporated, unless specifically waived by the director, in any land use entitlement and construction or building-related permit to be issued relative to such development or redevelopment. The owner and developer shall comply with the terms, provisions, and conditions of such land use entitlements and building permits as required in this section.

H. Responsibility to Identify and Post. Property owners are required to mark and/or post all drainage inlets that have a connection to the creek system, either directly or through a portion of the storm drain system, as follows:

1. Signs. Property owners of multifamily residential units shall be responsible for causing a sign to be posted in a conspicuous location as close as possible to each drainage inlet with the following wording in English and Spanish:

DUMP NO WASTE – DRAINS TO CREEK
NO DESCARGUE BASURA – DESAGUE AL ARROYO
SLOMC SEC 12.08.090

Sign specifications shall be available from the community development department.

2. Placard. Property owners shall be responsible for causing a placard, conforming to city engineering standards, to be installed at each drainage inlet.

3. Maintenance. Property owners shall be responsible for maintaining signs and placards, ensuring they remain legible. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

A. General. Property owners are responsible to maintain their premises in such a way as to comply with this chapter and prevent migration of pollutants into the storm drain system.

B. Construction Stormwater Devices. BMPs installed during construction or as measures for postconstruction stormwater shall be maintained as required to ensure proper operation. Failure to maintain construction BMPs will result in a stop work order being issued until the site is in conformance with the requirements of this chapter. Failure to maintain required BMPs may also subject the property owners to administrative fines.

C. Postconstruction Stormwater Devices. Property owners of development or redevelopment projects which require installation of postconstruction stormwater devices shall submit a maintenance plan or manufacturer’s maintenance guide for those devices as part of the project submittal. The plan or guide provided shall be considered the minimum maintenance required, with additional maintenance performed as needed to comply with this chapter.

All property owners with postconstruction stormwater devices on their property shall submit to the utilities director annual inspection/maintenance reports to confirm continued compliance with this chapter. Reports shall be signed and certified by the property owner or the authorized representative and submitted no later than June 15th each year.

All property owners with postconstruction stormwater devices on their property shall enter into an agreement with the city, to be recorded, documenting the devices, the required maintenance and the responsibility by the property owners for maintenance and reporting.

All property owners shall adhere to the operation and maintenance plan and maintain, clean, correct, and replace any failing structural stormwater control measures (SCMs) to return to good working order. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

A. Every person owning, leasing property or otherwise controlling property (“owner”) through which a watercourse originates or passes shall keep and maintain that part of the watercourse within the property free of trash, debris, and other obstacles that would pollute, contaminate, or significantly retard the flow of water through the watercourse. The owner shall not remove healthy bank vegetation beyond what is actually necessary for maintenance, nor perform vegetation management in such a manner as to increase the vulnerability of the watercourse to erosion. The owner shall be responsible for maintaining and stabilizing that portion of the watercourse that is within that owner’s property, within regulatory frameworks, to a reasonable standard as determined by the utilities director, in order to protect against erosion and degradation of the watercourse originating or passing through the property.

B. Every owner of property through which a watercourse originates or passes shall maintain existing privately owned structures within or adjacent to a watercourse, so that such structures will not become a hazard to the use, function, or physical integrity of the watercourse.

C. Every owner is responsible for obtaining all permits and complying with all laws, rules, and regulations of state or federal agencies that may have jurisdiction over wetlands and waterways. Maintenance must be done in a manner that does not adversely impact waterway species. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

A. Permit Required. Any person who owns an existing connection or intends to connect directly to a public storm drain system must have a permit issued by the city to do so.

B. Cost of Inspection. Each person owning a connection to a public storm drain system shall pay an annual inspection fee, as set forth in the creek and flood protection fee schedule, to cover the cost of routine inspection, reporting review, and sampling. Each owner shall make the connection available for inspection by the city upon reasonable notice on at least an annual basis and when the city has reason to believe the connection is not operating correctly.

C. Compliance Notice. The utilities director shall require by written notice that a person with an illicit connection to the public storm drain system comply with the requirements of this chapter to eliminate the connection by a specified date, regardless of whether or not the connection had been established or approved prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, or through prior permit.

D. Sampling and Reporting. Any connection to the public storm drain system must include a sampling port to allow the city to verify discharge quality. The person owning the connection to the public storm drain system must submit to the director self-monitoring reports to assess and assure continued compliance with this chapter. Reports shall be signed by the property owner or the authorized representative. Sampling and reporting shall conform to the provisions of the permit.

E. Agreement Concerning Permit. Any person to whom the city has issued a permit under this section shall enter into an agreement with the city, which agreement shall be recorded and shall reflect the provisions of this section.

F. Transfers of Property—New Permit Required. Whenever a person to whom the city has issued a permit under this section transfers the property to which the permit is attached, the transferee has thirty days in which to obtain a new permit in the transferee’s name. If such permit is not obtained, the connection will be deemed illicit. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

Whenever the utilities director determines that a discharge of pollutants is occurring, or has occurred, and the discharge has caused, or will cause, pollution of stormwater or the storm drain system, or determines an illegal discharge is occurring or has occurred, the director will require by written notice to the property owner and/or their authorized representative (A) remediation of the pollution and restoration of the affected property within seventy-two hours of notification, or sooner if a high risk spill occurs, and (B) discontinuance of the discharge and, if necessary, implementation of measures to eliminate the source of the discharge to prevent the occurrence of future illegal discharges. If the city agrees that the necessary clean-up activities cannot be completed within seventy-two hours, the city shall issue a new timeframe for compliance and notify the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board of the new timeframe within five business days of that determination. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

The utilities director may require any person engaged in any activity, and/or owning or operating any facility, which may cause or contribute to stormwater pollution, illegal discharges, and/or non-stormwater discharges to the storm drain system, to undertake, at the person’s expense, a monitoring, analysis, and reporting program, as approved by the director, to determine compliance with this chapter.

Should there exist any condition of uncontrolled sources of pollutants that could post an environmental threat, the director will require by written notice to the property owner and/or operator and/or their authorized representative abatement of the condition within thirty days of notification. If the city agrees that the necessary abatement/clean-up activities cannot be completed within thirty days, the city shall issue a new timeframe for compliance and notify the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board of the new timeframe within five business days of that determination. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

A. Notification. In the event of a release of a hazardous material, any property owner, authorized person or any other person responsible for property, a facility or an operation, shall immediately notify emergency response officials of the occurrence via emergency dispatch services (911).

In the event of a release of any pollutant such that it enters an enclosed system or waterway, any property owner, authorized person or any other person responsible for a property, a facility or an operation shall notify the utilities director in person or by phone at the address and phone number listed below no later than 5:00 p.m. of the same business day or, if on a weekend or holiday, by 10:00 a.m. of the next business day. Notification in person or by phone shall be confirmed by written notice addressed and mailed to the director within two business days of the in-person or phone notice.

879 Morro Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

805-781-7312

B. Remediation. Notwithstanding other requirements of law, as soon as any property owner, authorized person, or any other person responsible for property, a facility or an operation, or the person responsible for emergency response for a facility or operation, has information of any known or suspected release of pollutants which may result or have resulted in illegal discharges or pollutants discharging into stormwater or the storm drain system from the property, facility or operation, the person shall take all necessary steps to ensure the containment and remediation of such release.

C. Commercial/Industrial Properties. If the reported discharge emanates from a commercial or industrial property, the owner or operator of the property shall also retain an on-site written record of the discharge and the actions taken to prevent its recurrence. Such records shall be retained for at least three years from the date of the occurrence and be available for inspection by the director. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

Whenever the utilities director determines it is necessary to make an inspection to verify compliance with this chapter, investigate potential violations of this chapter, or to make an inspection to enforce any provision of this chapter, or whenever the director has reasonable cause to believe that there exists a condition which constitutes a violation of this chapter, the director may enter the premises during normal business hours to inspect, take water samples, perform any testing deemed necessary to aid in the inspection, record site activities, and inspect and copy records related to stormwater compliance. During any inspection, the director may establish on any property such devices as are necessary to conduct sampling or metering operations. If the director is refused entry after a request to enter and inspect has been made, the city may seek assistance from any court of competent jurisdiction in obtaining such entry.

Prior to occupancy of a project subject to the Central Coast Post-Construction Requirements, site access shall be granted to all representatives of the city for the sole purpose of performing operation and maintenance (O&M) inspections of the installed stormwater control measures (SCMs).

If the director has reasonable cause to believe that discharges to the storm drain system are so hazardous, unsafe, or dangerous as to require immediate inspection to safeguard public health or safety or the integrity of the storm drain system, the director shall have the right to immediately enter and inspect the property and may use any reasonable means required to effect such entry and make such inspection. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

A. Violation Conditions. Whenever the utilities director finds that a person has violated this chapter, the director may issue to the person a notice of violation and order compliance. Such notice may require without limitation:

1. Monitoring, providing analyses, and reporting;

2. Eliminating illicit connections or discharges;

3. Cease and desist of discharges, practices, or operations;

4. Abating or remediating stormwater pollution or contamination hazards, and restoring the affected property;

5. Implementing source control or treatment BMPs; and

6. Paying remediation costs.

B. Abatement. If abatement of a condition and/or restoration of affected property is required, the notice shall set forth a deadline within which such abatement or restoration must be completed. The notice shall further provide that if there is not compliance with the notice within the established deadline, the city may abate the condition and/or restore the property, and the expenses thereof shall be charged to the property owner and/or the person responsible for the violation. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010)

Dischargers of pollutants into the MS4 are required to abate and clean up their discharge, spill, or pollutant within seventy-two hours of notification; high-risk spills should be cleaned up as soon as possible (see Section 12.08.190). A condition of uncontrolled sources of pollutants that could pose an environmental threat must be abated within thirty days of notification (see Section 12.08.200). If the violation has not been corrected pursuant to the requirements set forth in the notice of violation, and ten days have passed, or if an appeal of the administrative citation was filed and ten days have passed from the date of the decision upholding the decision of the utilities director, then the city or its agents may enter upon the property and take any and all measures necessary to abate the violation and/or restore the property. If the city or its agents is refused entry for this purpose, the city shall seek the assistance of any court of competent jurisdiction to authorize entry. It shall be unlawful for any person, owner, agent or person in possession of any premises to refuse to allow the city or its agents to enter upon the premises for the purposes set forth above. The remedies set forth in this chapter are cumulative to all other remedies available to the city, including but not limited to pursuit of criminal prosecution, institution of appropriate civil actions or proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction and cost recovery, in which case the city’s costs of abatement would be a lien on the property. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010. Formerly 12.08.250)

A. Immediate Abatement. The utilities director may require immediate abatement of any violation of this chapter that constitutes an immediate and significant threat to the health, safety or well-being of the public.

B. Construction Sites. The director shall give verbal notice and issue a notice of violation to persons owning or controlling construction sites with inadequate erosion and sediment controls that such controls must be put in place immediately, and the city shall not allow any other site work until the controls are in place.

C. Failure to Abate. If a violation as described in subsection A of this section is not immediately abated, the city is authorized to enter the premises and take any and all measures required to abate the violation. Any expenses incurred by the city related to such abatement shall be charged to the property owner. Any relief obtained under this section shall not prevent the city from seeking other and further relief authorized under this chapter. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010. Formerly 12.08.260)

A. Notice of Cost. If the city has incurred costs to abate a violation, the utilities director shall notify the property owner within thirty days of the cost, including administrative costs.

B. Objections. Within fifteen days of the director’s notice, the property owner may file with the city clerk a written appeal objecting to the amount of the costs. The city clerk shall set the matter for hearing by the city council. The decision of the city council shall be final.

C. Payment Due Date—Failure to Pay. If no appeal has been filed or if an appeal has been filed and the city council has made a decision on the appeal, any cost due shall be paid in full within ten days. If the costs are not paid in full within ten days, the costs shall become a special assessment against the property and shall constitute a lien on the property. The information shall be provided to the county auditor so that the auditor may enter the amount of the assessment against the property, as it appears on the current assessment roll, and the tax collector include the amount of the assessment on the bill for taxes levied against the property. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010. Formerly 12.08.270)

A. Violations. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter. Any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is a threat to public health, safety, and welfare, and is declared and deemed a code violation and public nuisance, and may be summarily abated or restored by the city at the violator’s expense, and/or a civil action to abate, enjoin, or otherwise compel the cessation of such nuisance may be undertaken by the city.

B. Penalties and Fines. A violation of, or failure to comply with, any of the requirements of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor and may be punished as set forth in Chapter 1.12. Violators may also be subject to administrative citations and fines pursuant to Chapter 1.24, revocation of their business license, and/or for persons seeking to work in the right-of-way, a prohibition from working within the right-of-way for a period of two years. All remedies and penalties prescribed by this chapter are cumulative.

C. Compensatory Action. In lieu of enforcement proceedings, penalties, and remedies authorized by this chapter, the utilities director may, at their sole discretion, impose upon a violator alternative compensatory actions, such as storm drain marking, attendance at compliance workshops, creek cleanup, etc. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010. Formerly 12.08.280)

Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or any provision of any requirement issued pursuant to this chapter may also be in violation of the Clean Water Act and/or the Porter-Cologne Act and may be subject to the provisions of those acts including civil and criminal penalties. Any enforcement action authorized under this chapter shall also include written notice to the violator of such potential liability. (Ord. 1734 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1543 § 2, 2010. Formerly 12.08.290)