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Article 14 — Pretreatment Requirements

VenturaCounty Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · VenturaCounty

6514-0 - Regulatory actions.

If wastewater containing excess concentrations of a substance or a prohibited substance referred to in Section 6513-2 or 6513-3 respectively of this ordinance is discharged or proposed to be discharged to the County's sewerage system, the Airports Administrator may at his option do any of the items set forth in A through E or any combination thereof

(Federal Pretreatment Regulations 40 CFR 403.8(f)(l)(i)):

A.

Prohibit the discharge of the wastewater;

B.

Require the discharger to demonstrate that in-plant modifications would reduce or eliminate the discharge in conformance with prohibitions, limitations and requirements of this ordinance;

C.

Require pretreatment to reduce, eliminate or alter the nature of pollutants to a less harmful state prior to their discharge to the County's sewerage system;

D.

Require the person making, causing or allowing the discharge to pay non-compliance penalties as referenced in Section 6518-0; and/or

E.

Implement any other remedial action as may be deemed necessary to achieving the purpose and requirements of this ordinance.

6514-1 - Pretreatment facilities and operations.

A wastewater pretreatment device or system may be required by the Airports Administrator to pretreat industrial wastewater flows prior to discharge to the County's sewerage system. Pretreatment may be necessary to restrict or prevent the discharge of certain waste constituents, to distribute more equally over a longer time period any peak discharges of industrial wastewaters, or to accomplish any pretreatment results required by this ordinance.

(Federal Pretreatment Regulations 40 CFR 403.8(f)(1) (ii)).

Pretreatment facilities as required by the Airports Administrator, shall be maintained in good working order and operated as efficiently as possible at the expense of the discharger, and are subject to the requirement of this ordinance and all other applicable codes and laws.

Where pretreatment or flow equalization prior to discharge into the County's sewerage system is required, plans, specifications and other pertinent data or information relating to such pretreatment or flow control shall first be submitted to the Airports Administrator for approval. Such approval shall not exempt the discharger of said facilities from compliance with any applicable rule or ordinance of any other governmental authority. Any alterations or additions to such pretreatment facilities shall not be made without due notice to the Airports Administrator for prior review and approval.

All Federal pretreatment standards applicable to local industry which specify quantities or concentrations of pollutants that may be discharged by a specific industrial subcategory will be enforced by the County as required in Section 309(e) and (f) et seq. of the Federal Clean Water Act. Compliance by existing industrial users with categorical pretreatment standards shall be within three (3) years of the date the standard is promulgated unless a shorter time is specified by the EPA.

or concentrations of pollutants that may be discharged by a specific industrial subcategory will be enforced by the County as required in Section 309(e) and (f) et seq. of the Federal Clean Water Act. Compliance by existing industrial users with categorical pretreatment standards shall be within three (3) years of the date the standard is promulgated unless a shorter time is specified by the EPA.

All domestic wastewaters including, but not limited to, those from restrooms, showers and drinking fountains shall be kept separate from industrial wastewaters until the industrial wastewaters have passed through any required pretreatment and/or monitoring device or system.

6514-2 - Protection from accidental discharge.

Each industrial user shall provide protection from accidental discharge of prohibited materials, other regulated wastes or wastewater called out in this ordinance or any other materials in concentration or quantities of which could be detrimental to the County's sewerage system, its operation or personnel. Each floor drain or floor sink located in an area where regulated chemicals are stored or used shall be protected in a manner approved by the Airports Administrator to prevent uncontrolled or accidental discharges of these regulated constituents from directly entering the County's sewerage system. Facilities to prevent accidental discharge shall be provided and maintained at the owner's and/or operator's expense. Detailed plans in the form of a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan (showing facilities and operating procedures to provide this protection) shall be submitted to the Airports Administrator for review and approval prior to construction of said facilities. Such review and approval of plans and operating procedures shall not relieve the industrial user from the responsibility of modifying said facilities as necessary to meet the other requirements of this ordinance.

A notice shall be permanently posted on the user's bulletin board or other prominent place advising employees whom to call in the event of a dangerous discharge. Employers shall ensure that all employees who may cause or suffer such a dangerous discharge to occur are advised of the emergency notification procedure.

Any person that causes or discovers an uncontrolled or accidental discharge of regulated wastes or wastewater into the County's sewerage system shall immediately telephone the Airports Administrator in order that corrective action may be taken to protect the County's sewerage system, its operation or personnel. In addition, the person responsible for the discharge of said waste or wastewater shall file a written report to the Airports Administrator detailing the date, time and cause of the accidental discharge, the quantity and characteristics of the discharge and corrective action taken to prevent future discharges. The report shall be filed within five (5) days of the occurrence of the uncontrolled or accidental discharge.

(Federal Pretreatment Regulations 40 CFR 403.12(f)).

6514-3 - Dischargers of wastes or wastewater into the county's sewerage system from vehicles.

A.

No person shall discharge into the County's sewerage system any industrial wastes or wastewater, any gravity separating device or interceptor contents, any septic tank, seepage pit, or cesspool contents or recreational vehicle wastes or wastewater transported by

or discharged from a vacuum truck, cesspool pump truck or other waste or wastewater transport vehicle at a location other than that which has been approved by the Airports Administrator.

B.

Transported industrial wastes shall be discharged only at locations specified by the Airports Administrator for the specific waste. Payment for any excessive treatment and disposal costs may be required and permission to discharge prohibited wastes may be refused by the Airports Administrator.

6514-4 - Grease interceptors and gravity separating devices.

A.

Restaurants. All restaurants or similar establishments shall install an approved grease interceptor which is of sufficient size so as to prevent excessive discharges of grease into the County's sewerage system. The grease interceptor shall be easily accessible for inspection by the Airports Administrator. Exceptions to the installation of a grease interceptor shall be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Airports Administrator. The Airports Administrator shall take into account the following items when determining exceptions: (1) size of restaurant; (2) meals served per day; (3) seating capacity; (4) dish washing and garbage disposal facilities on- hand; and (5) any other criteria the Airports Administrator deems applicable.

B.

Car Washes, Vehicle Service Stations and Garages. Car washes and vehicle service stations or garages shall be required to install a gravity separating device designed to prevent the discharge of sand, silt, oil and grease to the County's sewerage system.

C.

Laundries and Dry Cleaners. After the effective date of this ordinance all new laundries and dry cleaners or similar establishments shall install a gravity separating device of a size and design approved by the Airports Administrator. They shall also install any other pretreatment facility required by the Airports Administrator to ensure their compliance with all requirements and specifications of this ordinance. Establishments in existence prior to this date shall install an appropriate pretreatment system if in the opinion of the Airports Administrator the system is warranted.

D.

Existing Gravity Separating Device and Grease Interceptors. If the Airports Administrator finds that a grease interceptor or gravity separating device installed prior to the effective date of this ordinance is incapable of retaining adequately the grease or sand and oil in the wastewater flow from a service station, car wash or restaurant or similar establishment, the Airports Administrator shall give the proprietor a written notice requiring that an adequate interceptor or gravity separating device be installed within a reasonable time period.

E.

Approved Designs. The Airports Administrator may maintain an information file available for public use of acceptable designs of grease interceptors and gravity separating devices. The installation of a design shown in such file or of any design meeting the size requirement set forth in this ordinance or any recommendation of requirements made by the Airports Administrator shall not impute any liability to the County for the adequacy of the interceptor or gravity separating device under the actual conditions of use. Such installation shall not relieve the owner or proprietor of responsibility for keeping prohibited substances or substances above the limitations of this ordinance out of the County's sewerage system. If the interceptor, gravity separating device or other pretreatment facility is not adequate under the conditions of use, one shall be constructed which is effective in accomplishing the intended purpose.

6514-5 - Maintenance of grease interceptors and gravity separating devices.

Any grease interceptor or gravity separating device required by this ordinance shall be readily accessible for inspection and properly maintained to assure that the accumulations of grease or sand and oil do not impair its efficiency or pass out with the effluent. All users required to use and maintain a grease interceptor or gravity separating device shall maintain a maintenance record. This record shall include the date, the name of the person who cleaned it and the disposal site of the waste. The report shall be reviewed by the Airports Administrator at each routine inspection. Persons hauling wastes and wastewater removed from these interceptors or gravity separating devices shall be registered to do so by the proper permitting agency. An interceptor or gravity separating device shall not

be considered properly maintained if material accumulations total more than 25 percent of the operating fluid capacity. The County will endeavor to inspect all grease interceptors and gravity separating devices at least annually. If it is found that it is improperly maintained or adequate records are not being kept, a warning will be issued to the owner and/or user of the property. If on subsequent inspections it is found that one of the above conditions continues to exist, a fine shall be levied against the owner and/or user of the property. (See Section 6518-0).

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▸Contents — VenturaCounty Municipal Code
VenturaCounty Municipal Code
  1. 2.04 of Title 2.
  2. Division 1 — Government
  3. Chapter 1 — Business Taxes and Certificates
  4. Article 1 — General Provisions
  5. Article 2 — Definitions
  6. Article 3 — Imposition of Tax and Exemptions from Taxation
  7. Article 4 — Payment of Business Taxes
  8. Article 5 — Application and Renewal—Business Tax Certificate
  9. Article 6 — Penalties and Interest
  10. Article 7 — Refund of Overpayment
  11. Article 8 — Hearings and Appeals
  12. Article 9 — Enforcement and Violations
  13. Article 10 — Additional Tax Collector Powers
  14. Article 11 — Miscellaneous Provisions
  15. Chapter 2 — Licenses
  16. Article 2 — License Applications— Procedures and Appeals
  17. Article 1 — Temporary Shows
  18. Article 2 — Dance Halls
  19. Article 2.5 — Teen-Age Dances
  20. Article 3 — Billiard Rooms
  21. Article 4 — Motor Vehicle Races
  22. Article 5 — Card Rooms
  23. Article 1 — Auctioneer
  24. Article 2 — Collectors, Dealers and Brokers
  25. Article 3 — Peddlers, Solicitors, and Telephone Solicitors
  26. Article 1 — Rubbish Collection
  27. Article 2 — Ambulances
  28. Article 3 — Private Patrolmen
  29. Article 4 — Taxicabs
  30. Article 5 — Massage Businesses and Massage Technicians
  31. Article 5.5 — Solemnization of Marriages
  32. Article 6 — Kennels
  33. Article 1 — Licensing of Cannabis Operations
  34. Article 2 — Tax on Cannabis Operations
  35. Chapter 6 — Sidewalk Vending
  36. Chapter 1 — Standards and Permits
  37. Chapter 2 — Facilities Fees
  38. Article 1 — Sheriff's Facilities
  39. Article 2 — Fire Protection Facilities
  40. Article 1 — Nuisance
  41. Article 3 — Power of Arrest
  42. Article 1 — Tents and Lean-tos
  43. Article 2 — Enforcement
  44. Article 3 — Tents and House Courts
  45. Article 4 — Violation
  46. Article 1 — Camps
  47. Article 2 — Camp Fires
  48. Article 3 — Bathing, Surfing, Surfboards
  49. Chapter 4 — Animals
  50. Article 1 — License Tag
  51. Article 2 — Animal Shelter
  52. Article 3 — Dogs Used by Peace Officers
  53. Article 4 — Rabies Control
  54. Article 5 — Animal Control
  55. Article 6 — General
  56. Article 7 — Wild Animal Control
  57. Article 8 — Administrative Enforcement Alternative
  58. Article 9 — Roosters
  59. Chapter 5 — Hazardous Substances
  60. Article 1 — Unified Program Generally
  61. Article 1.1 — Unified Program— Hazardous Waste Producers
  62. Article 1.2 — Unified Program—Underground Storage of Hazardous…
  63. Article 1.3 — Unified Program—Aboveground Storage of Hazardous…
  64. Article 1.4 — Unified Program—Business Plan/Risk Management Plan
  65. Article 1.5 — Unified Program—Inspection of State Authorized F…
  66. Article 1.6 — Participating Agency Fees
  67. Article 1.7 — Unified Program Hearing Procedure
  68. Article 2 — Liability for Violation of Hazardous Waste and Sub…
  69. Article 3 — Medical Waste Management and Safe Body Art
  70. Article 5 — Business Plans and Risk Management and Prevention …
  71. Article 1 — General
  72. Chapter 7 — Regulation of Solid Waste Storage, Collection, Dis…
  73. Article 1 — Regulation of the Disposal and Handling of Solid W…
  74. Article 3 — Solid Waste Programs for Unincorporated Areas
  75. Article 4 — County Integrated Waste Management Plan Fee
  76. Article 1 — Groundwater Conservation
  77. Article 2 — Private and State Small Water Systems
  78. Article 3 — Administrative Enforcement of Private and State Sm…
  79. Chapter 9 — Alcoholic Beverage Warning Signs
  80. Chapter 10 — Safer Sex in the Adult Film Industry
  81. Chapter 1 — Fire Protection
  82. Article 1 — Discharge
  83. Chapter 3 — Public Emergency
  84. Article 1 — General
  85. Article 2 — Emergency Planning Council
  86. Chapter 4 — Prices of Emergency Items and Services
  87. Chapter 5 — Courthouse Security Screening
  88. Article 1 — Preliminary Matters
  89. Article 3 — General Provisions
  90. Article 4 — Administration and Permitting
  91. Article 5 — Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction
  92. Article 6 — Variance Procedure
  93. Chapter 7 — Protection of Watercourses and Related Critical Pu…
  94. Article 1 — Alcoholic Beverages
  95. Article 1.1 — Social Hosts Liability
  96. Article 2 — Nudism
  97. Article 3 — Prostitution & Lewd Acts
  98. Article 4 — Unlawful Exposure of Private Parts and Female Brea…
  99. Article 5 — Harmful Substances
  100. Article 6 — Sale and Display of Drug Paraphernalia to Minors
  101. Article 7 — Place of Business Where Drug Paraphernalia is Kept…
  102. Article 1 — Imprisonment
  103. Article 2 — Juvenile Confinement
  104. Article 3 — Registration of Hotel and Motel Guests
  105. Article 4 — Miscellaneous
  106. Article 4.5 — Bingo Game Licenses
  107. Article 5 — Enclosing Swimming Pools and Other Bodies of Water
  108. Article 6 — Bicycle Registration and Licensing
  109. Article 7 — Abandoned or Inoperative Motor Vehicles
  110. Article 7.1 — Abandoned Vehicles
  111. Article 8 — Alarm Systems
  112. Article 9 — Commercial Weighing and Measuring Instruments
  113. Article 9.5 — Consumer Protection Business Permit
  114. Article 10 — Graffiti
  115. Article 11 — Loud or Raucous Nighttime Noise in Residential Zo…
  116. Chapter 3 — Ventura County Parks
  117. Article 1 — Applicability and Authority
  118. Article 2 — Definitions
  119. Article 3 — Powers and Duties of the Director
  120. Article 4 — Permits
  121. Article 5 — General Regulations
  122. Article 6 — Public Health and Sanitation
  123. Article 7 — Public Safety
  124. Article 8 — Preservation of County Parks
  125. Article 9 — Overnight Camping
  126. Chapter 4 — Ventura County Harbor Ordinance
  127. Article 1 — Definitions
  128. Article 2 — Powers and Duties of the Director
  129. Article 3 — Applicability and Authority
  130. Article 4 — Regulations Concerning Speed and Safety
  131. Article 5 — Navigation
  132. Article 6 — General Regulations
  133. Article 7 — Regulations Covering Mooring, Floats, and Other Ha…
  134. Article 8 — Health and Sanitation
  135. Article 9 — Severability and Preeminence
  136. Article 10 — Parking Area Regulations
  137. Chapter 5 — Ventura County Airport
  138. Article 3 — Powers and Duties
  139. Article 4 — Fire Regulations
  140. Article 5 — Aircraft Fuel Servicing
  141. Article 6 — Aircraft Operations/Aeronautical Activities
  142. Article 7 — Airports Regulations
  143. Article 8 — Traffic Regulations
  144. Article 9 — Health, Environment and Sanitation
  145. Article 11 — General Conditions
  146. Article 12 — Administration of System
  147. Article 13 — Wastewater Discharge Into County Sewerage System
  148. Article 14 — Pretreatment Requirements
  149. Article 15 — Industrial Discharge Permit System
  150. Article 16 — Industrial Wastewater Monitoring & Reporting
  151. Article 17 — Fees, Charges and Computations
  152. Article 18 — Enforcement
  153. Article 19 — Miscellaneous Provisions
  154. Chapter 6 — Regulation of Parking Facilities
  155. Chapter 6.5 — Regulation of Skateboarding and Similar Activiti…
  156. Chapter 7 — Ventura County Comprehensive Smoke-Free Regulations
  157. Chapter 8 — Regulating Tobacco Vending Machines
  158. Chapter 8.5 — Sale of Flavored Vaping Products and Flavored Va…
  159. Chapter 9 — Stormwater Quality Management
  160. Article 2 — Prohibition of Non-Stormwater Discharges
  161. Article 3 — Prohibition of Illicit Connections
  162. Article 4 — Reduction of Pollutants in Stormwater
  163. Article 5 — Requirements for the Control of Urban Runoff
  164. Article 6 — Inspections
  165. Article 7 — Enforcement
  166. Article 8 — Permits
  167. Article 9 — Miscellaneous
  168. Chapter 10 — Rincon Parkway
  169. Article 1 — Applicability and Authority
  170. Article 2 — Definitions
  171. Article 3 — Powers and Duties of the Director
  172. Article 4 — Permits
  173. Article 5 — General Regulations
  174. Article 6 — Public Health and Sanitation
  175. Article 7 — Public Safety
  176. Article 8 — Recreational Vehicle Parking Meter Zone
  177. Article 9 — Preservation of Rincon Parkway
  178. Chapter 1 — Traffic Ordinance
  179. Chapter 2 — Regulation of Riding and Hiking Trails in the Los …
  180. Chapter 3 — Large Truck Terminal Access
  181. Article 1 — Authority, Purpose, and Application of Chapter
  182. Article 3 — Establishment of Zones, Boundaries and Maps
  183. Article 4 — Purposes of Zones
  184. Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone
  185. Article 6 — Lot Area and Coverage, Setbacks, Height and Relate…
  186. Article 7 — Standards for Specific Uses
  187. Article 8 — Parking and Loading Requirements
  188. Article 9 — Standards for Specific Zones and Zone Types
  189. Article 10 — Sign Requirements
  190. Article 11 — Entitlements—Process and Procedures
  191. Article 12 — Limitations on Issuance of Building Permits in th…
  192. Article 13 — Nonconformities and Substandard Lots
  193. Article 14 — Enforcement and Penalties
  194. Article 15 — Amendments to This Chapter
  195. Article 16 — Density Bonus and Affordable Housing Incentives P…
  196. Article 17 — Mobilehome Park Closure Permit Requirements
  197. Article 18 — Official Zoning Data
  198. Article 19 — Specific Standards for Area Plans
  199. Article 1 — Authority, Purpose, and Application of Chapter
  200. Article 3 — Purposes of Zones
  201. Article 4 — Permitted Uses
  202. Article 5 — Development Standards/Conditions—Uses
  203. Article 6 — Parking and Loading Requirements
  204. Article 7 — Standards For Specific Zones
  205. Article 8 — General Development Standards/Conditions—Resource …
  206. Article 9 — Zoning Maps
  207. Article 11 — Entitlements—Process and Procedures
  208. Article 12 — Nonconformities and Substandard Lots
  209. Article 13 — Enforcement and Penalties
  210. Article 14 — Amendment to the local coastal program
  211. Chapter 2 — Subdivisions
  212. Article 1 — Authority, Purpose, and Application of Chapter
  213. Article 3 — Fees and Charges
  214. Article 4 — Parcel Map Waivers
  215. Article 5 — Tentative Maps
  216. Article 6 — Final and Parcel Map Requirements
  217. Article 7 — Amendment of Recorded Final and Parcel Maps
  218. Article 8 — Improvements, Dedications, Reservations and Fees
  219. Article 9 — Lot Line Adjustments
  220. Article 10 — Voluntary Mergers
  221. Article 11 — Conservation Subdivision
  222. Article 12 — Reversions to Acreage
  223. Article 13 — Mobilehome Park Conversions to Resident Ownership…
  224. Article 14 — Certificates of Compliance and Conditional Certif…
  225. Article 15 — Notice, Hearings, and Decisions
  226. Article 16 — Appeals
  227. Article 17 — Enforcement
  228. Article 18 — Amendments to this Chapter
  229. Chapter 3 — Places
  230. Article 1 — House Numbering
  231. Chapter 4 — Urban Area Development
  232. Chapter 6 — Traffic Impact Mitigation Fees for Maintenance and…
  233. Chapter 7 — Protection of Flood Control Facilities
  234. Chapter 8 — SE (Miscellaneous) Projects
  235. Chapter 9 — School Facilities Fee/Dedication Ordinance
  236. Chapter 10 — Mobile Home Park Rent Control
  237. Chapter 11 — Augmented Piru Transportation Impact Mitigation Fee
  238. Article 1 — Fees
  239. Article 2 — Right-To-Farm
  240. Article 3 — Mediation Services
  241. Article 1 — Regulations
  242. Article 1 — Identification of Agricultural Commodities Being T…
  243. Article 1 — Certification
  244. Chapter 5 — Apple Maggot Infestation Control
  245. Chapter 6 — Cultivation of Industrial Hemp
  246. Division 10 — Domestic Partnership Registration
  247. Chapter 1 — General
  248. Chapter 2 — Specific Provisions
  249. Article 1 — Imposition of Tax
  250. Article 2 — Registration
  251. Article 3 — Reporting and Remitting
  252. Article 4 — Penalties and Interest
  253. Article 5 — Failure to Collect and Report Tax
  254. Article 6 — Appeal
  255. Article 7 — Refunds
  256. Chapter 3 — Enforcement
  257. Article 1 — Civil Action
  258. Article 2 — Violations
  259. Division 12 — Highway Encroachments
  260. Chapter 1 — Definitions and Construction of Division
  261. Chapter 2 — General Provisions
  262. Chapter 3 — Encroachment Work Standards
  263. Chapter 4 — Application Requirements
  264. Chapter 5 — Permit Issuance
  265. Chapter 6 — Permit Fees and Deposits
  266. Chapter 7 — Maintenance and Repair of Sidewalks
  267. Chapter 8 — Wireless Telecommunication Facilities-Public Right…
  268. Chapter 9 — Transportation Permits
  269. Chapter 10 — Appeal and Violation
  270. Division 13 — Abatement of Public Nuisances

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