Stormwater Management: Anaheim vs Garden Grove
How do stormwater management rules compare between Anaheim, CA and Garden Grove, CA?
Anaheim and Garden Grove have similar restriction levels.
Anaheim, CA
Orange County
Anaheim participates in the North Orange County stormwater program under the MS4 permit regulated by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board. New development must incorporate stormwater BMPs.
View full Anaheim rules →Garden Grove, CA
Orange County
Garden Grove regulates stormwater runoff under Municipal Code Title 14 and the Orange County NPDES MS4 Permit. New development and significant redevelopment must incorporate best management practices to prevent polluted runoff from reaching storm drains, channels, and ultimately the Pacific Ocean.
View full Garden Grove rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Anaheim | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | North OC MS4 | - |
| WQMP | Required for new dev | - |
| Board | Santa Ana RWQCB | - |
| Watershed | Santa Ana River | - |
| Governing Code | - | Municipal Code Title 14 |
| Regional Permit | - | OC NPDES MS4 Permit |
| SWPPP Required | - | Sites disturbing 1+ acre |
| LID Required | - | New development/redevelopment |
| Public Works | - | (714) 741-5375 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Anaheim FAQ
What stormwater permits does Anaheim require?
New development must prepare a WQMP with stormwater BMPs. The city operates under the North OC MS4 permit from the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Can I wash my car and let water run to the storm drain?
No. Only rainwater should enter storm drains. Wash cars on permeable surfaces or at commercial car washes that recycle water.
Garden Grove FAQ
What can I not put into Garden Grove storm drains?
It is illegal to discharge anything other than stormwater into the storm drain system. This includes wash water, pool water, paint, oil, pesticides, fertilizer runoff, and sediment. Storm drains flow untreated to local waterways.
Do I need a WQMP for my construction project in Garden Grove?
Yes, new development and significant redevelopment projects must prepare a Water Quality Management Plan incorporating LID strategies and BMPs. Projects disturbing one or more acres also need a state Construction General Permit and SWPPP.
Who enforces stormwater rules in Garden Grove?
Garden Grove Public Works and Code Enforcement enforce local stormwater rules. The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board oversees the NPDES MS4 permit. Contact Public Works at (714) 741-5375 for questions.
Compare other topics
See how Anaheim and Garden Grove compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool