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San Joaquin County, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Coverage area
County Service Area 54
Enforcer
Director of Public Works
Prohibits
NPDES permit violations
Applies to
Unincorporated area only

Summary

County ordinance bars discharging pollutants into the storm drainage system and requires compliance with the County's federal Clean Water Act NPDES permit.

City-specific rules exist: Manteca, Tracy, Stockton, and Lodi have their own stormwater management rules that differ from San Joaquin County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

No person shall permit or cause the discharge of any wastewater, pollutant, substance or material of any kind into the County storm drainage system which interferes with the operation or performance of the County storm drainage system or which violates any condition of the County NPDES Permit or any other Federal, State, or local regulation.

Source: Central Valley RWQCBView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Development Title: Supplement 3 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80 Update 2).

Full Breakdown

San Joaquin County Code §5-10001 et seq. establishes the County Storm Water Management and Discharge Control Ordinance to meet Clean Water Act requirements. Section 5-10101 makes it unlawful for anyone to discharge wastewater, pollutants or other material into the County storm drainage system in a way that interferes with its operation or violates the County's NPDES permit or other federal, state or local law. The ordinance applies within County Service Area No. 54, covering catch basins, gutters, ditches and flood-control channels, and is enforced by the Director of Public Works as the authorized enforcement officer.

Violations & Fines

Unlawful discharges that violate the NPDES permit are enforced by the Director of Public Works; violators face administrative, civil and criminal penalties (§5-10107).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does San Joaquin County regulate storm water drainage?
Yes, §5-10101 bans discharging pollutants into the County storm drainage system in violation of its NPDES Clean Water Act permit.
Who enforces the county's storm water rules?
The Director of Public Works, acting as the 'control authority' under Code §§5-10003–5-10110.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Joaquin County

All San Joaquin County rules

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Stormwater Management in Cities Across San Joaquin County