Arcadia, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Chapter 8 of Article VII, Stormwater Management and Discharge Control, is administered by the Public Works Services Director (Section 7812). Section 7820.A bars every person from discharging nonstormwater to the City's storm drain system or receiving waters except in compliance with the chapter, from causing, allowing or facilitating any prohibited discharge, and from any discharge that threatens pollution or nuisance under Water Code section 13050 or contributes to an exceedance of water quality standards. Subsection B lets the Director limit or prohibit a conditionally authorized discharge, and subsection C lets the Director require a permit before any discharge to the storm drain system.

Subsection D lists prohibited discharges or deposits, including wash waters from cleaning gas stations and auto repair garages, untreated wastewater from mobile auto washing, filter backwash or chlorinated or brominated water from swimming pools, concrete or cement laden wash water, food and food processing wastes, litter, landscape debris and construction debris, and animal waste that the person responsible for the animal does not promptly pick up in a public area. Subsection E exempts discharges under an NPDES permit, emergency firefighting flows, flows from riparian habitats or wetlands, natural springs, uncontaminated ground water infiltration and rising ground waters, unless the Director determines the discharge is a source of pollutants or a nuisance.

Section 7823.D adds housekeeping mandates. The occupant of property in front of a paved sidewalk keeps it free of dirt and litter and cannot sweep it into the gutter. Owners or operators of paved parking lots or similar structures with twenty-five (25) or more spaces clean them as frequently and thoroughly as practicable without discharging pollutants. Owners or operators of private drains and catch basins connected to the public storm drain system clean them between May 1st and September 30th of each year and reclean them, as needed, before their sumps are forty percent (40%) full.

Section 7825 requires immediate reporting of a release. A hazardous material release goes to 911. A nonhazardous release goes to the Director and the 24-hour stormwater hotline by telephone no later than 5:00 P.M. on the same business day, with written notification to the Director within five business days and a copy kept at the premises for at least three (3) years.