Stormwater Management: Tulare vs Visalia
How do stormwater management rules compare between Tulare, CA and Visalia, CA?
Tulare has fewer restrictions than Visalia.
Tulare, CA
Tulare County
Tulare Municipal Code Chapter 7.64 (Surface Water Management), specifically § 7.64.150 (Reduction of Pollutants in Surface Water), prohibits illicit discharges to the City's storm drain system and requires Best Management Practices (BMPs) for any activity that may release pollutants. The City is a regulated small MS4 under the State Water Board's Phase II General Permit (Order 2013-0001-DWQ), implementing the federal Clean Water Act NPDES program.
View full Tulare rules →Visalia, CA
Tulare County
California Water Code sections 13260 and 13383 implement the federal Clean Water Act through statewide MS4 NPDES permits issued by the State and Regional Water Boards, binding all municipal stormwater dischargers uniformly.
View full Visalia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Tulare | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Code section | Tulare Mun. Code § 7.64.150 (Reduction of Pollutants in Surface Water) | - |
| Chapter | Ch. 7.64 Surface Water Management | - |
| MS4 status | Phase II small MS4, State Water Board Order 2013-0001-DWQ | - |
| Federal authority | Clean Water Act NPDES (33 U.S.C. § 1342) | - |
| State authority | Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Wat. Code § 13000 et seq.) | - |
| Construction trigger | Sites ≥ 1 acre require State Construction General Permit | - |
| Enforcement | City Public Works + Central Valley RWQCB | - |
| Permit authority | - | Water Code 13383 |
| Maximum daily fine | - | $10,000 per violation |
| Per-gallon penalty | - | $10 per gallon |
| Construction threshold | - | 1 acre disturbed |
| Enforcement agency | - | Regional Water Boards |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Tulare FAQ
Can I wash my car in my driveway in Tulare?
Residential car washing is generally not prohibited, but soapy water flowing to the storm drain is an illicit discharge under § 7.64.150. The City's Surface Water Management Program recommends washing on grass or at a commercial car wash that routes water to the sanitary sewer.
Do I need a stormwater permit for a small construction job?
Projects disturbing less than 1 acre do not need the State Construction General Permit, but you still must comply with § 7.64.150 BMP requirements — silt fences, stabilized entrances, covered material stockpiles, and no dirt or concrete washwater entering storm inlets.
What happens if my project sediment runs into a storm drain?
The City can issue stop-work orders and administrative citations under Title 1, require immediate cleanup, and refer the case to the Central Valley RWQCB for state civil penalties up to $10,000/day per Wat. Code § 13385.
Visalia FAQ
Do California stormwater rules apply uniformly?
Yes. Statewide NPDES MS4 and Construction General Permits set minimum standards that all permittees must meet. Local agencies may add stricter rules but cannot weaken state and federal requirements.
Who enforces stormwater violations?
The nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards lead enforcement under Water Code 13385, with EPA backup. Penalties can reach $10,000 per day plus $10 per gallon of illegal discharge.
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