Buena Park, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited
- Illicit connections and pollutant discharges
- Citation
- BPMC § 13.32.020(A)
- Enforcer
- Director of public works / inspectors
- Penalty range
- $100-$1,000 fine, up to 6 months
- Legal basis
- Santa Ana Region NPDES permit
Summary
Buena Park bans illicit connections to the storm drain system and any discharge of pollutants into it, enforcing the Santa Ana Region NPDES stormwater permit citywide.
No person shall:
1. Construct, maintain, operate, continue and/or utilize any illicit connection;
2. Establish, continue, cause, allow or maintain any prohibited discharge;
3. Act, cause, permit or suffer any agent, employee or independent contractor to construct, maintain, operate or utilize any illicit connection, or cause, allow or facilitate any prohibited discharge;
4. Establish, continue, cause, allow or maintain any discharge that would result in or contribute to a violation of the NPDES permit or any state general permit, or any other NPDES permit issued by the State Water Resources Control Board, any regional water quality control board, or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, either separately or in combination with other discharges.
B. The prohibition against illicit connections shall apply irrespective of whether the illicit connection was established prior to the date of enactment of this chapter.
C. A civil or administrative violation of Section 13.32.020A shall occur irrespective of the negligence or intent of the violator to construct, maintain, operate or utilize an illicit connection or to cause, allow or facilitate any prohibited discharge.
D.
Full Breakdown
Buena Park Municipal Code § 13.32.020(A) makes it unlawful for any person to construct, maintain, operate or utilize an illicit connection to the stormwater drainage system, or to establish, continue, cause, allow or maintain any prohibited discharge into it, implementing the Santa Ana Region NPDES permit Buena Park holds as an Orange County copermittee. The ban applies regardless of the violator's intent or negligence and covers connections that predate the ordinance. Discharges composed entirely of stormwater, permitted NPDES discharges, and other listed exceptions (irrigation runoff, potable water line flushing, dechlorinated pool water) are carved out under the chapter's discharge-exception list.
Violations & Fines
Violations are infractions ($100 first offense, $200 second, up to $500 thereafter) or misdemeanors punishable by up to $1,000 and six months in jail, plus civil nuisance abatement, cost recovery, and injunctive relief under § 13.32.050.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a prohibited discharge in Buena Park?
Does intent matter for a violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Buena Park
California rules heatmap·Compare Buena Park to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle stormwater management.