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Camarillo, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing chapter
Municipal Code Ch. 9.32
Enforcing official
Community development director
Pool discharge limit
Chlorine/bromine ≤ 0.1 mg/L
Appeal deadline
15 days of the order
Permit exemption
Non-commercial car washing allowed

Summary

Camarillo bans discharging pollutants into its storm drain system and requires a permit for any non-stormwater discharge under Municipal Code Chapter 9.32. The community development director enforces the rule, and violators face a notice of violation, cease and desist orders, and cost recovery for cleanup. Narrow exemptions cover natural flows, firefighting water, and properly treated pool or car-wash runoff.

The discharge of pollutants into the storm drain system is prohibited. ... All discharges of material other than stormwater into the storm drain system must be in compliance with the city's NPDES permit and any other NPDES permit applicable to the subject property. ... No person may ... Cause, allow or facilitate an illicit discharge.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 27 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

030. 040 backs that up with a general discharge prohibition: no person may put any material other than stormwater into the storm drain system or receiving waters without first obtaining a permit. 1 mg/L chlorine or bromine, with no cyanuric acid above 50 ppm, released at a controlled rate. 050 separately bans specific discharges regardless of permit status, including auto-repair and gas-station washdown water, mobile car-wash and steam-cleaning runoff, pool filter backwash, and spills of pesticide, fuel, or construction debris. 160: the director may serve a notice of violation identifying the section violated, set a compliance deadline, order remediation, and recover the city's abatement costs as a civil debt.

For emergencies the director can issue a cease and desist order or take emergency abatement action, including decontamination and site access, without waiting for a hearing. 160(G). 170 to file a written appeal with the city clerk and pay the processing fee set by council resolution before a hearing officer reviews the case.

Violations & Fines

A notice of violation under Section 9.32.160 must state the section violated, a compliance deadline, and required remediation steps; ignoring it can bring a cease and desist order, city cleanup billed to the owner as a civil debt, and referral for criminal or administrative enforcement. Each day a discharge continues counts as a separate violation. Appeals go to the city clerk within 15 days of the order, with a filing fee set by council resolution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wash my car in my Camarillo driveway?
Yes. Section 9.32.040(B)(4)(c) exempts non-commercial car washing by residents or nonprofit organizations from the storm drain discharge permit requirement, so driveway washing itself is not illegal. You still cannot let soapy runoff carry oil, grease, or other pollutants into the gutter, since Section 9.32.050 separately bans discharges containing hazardous materials regardless of the source.
Can I drain my swimming pool into the street?
Only if it meets Section 9.32.040(B)(4)(b)(v): the water must be dechlorinated or debrominated to 0.1 mg/L or less, free of cyanuric acid above 50 ppm, released at a controlled volume and velocity to avoid stirring up sediment, and the filter backwash must never enter the storm drain. Pool filter backwash itself is separately prohibited under Section 9.32.050(F).
What happens if the city catches an illegal discharge?
The director serves a notice of violation under Section 9.32.160 naming the section violated and a compliance deadline, and can follow with a cease and desist order plus billing the responsible person for cleanup costs as a civil debt. Each day the discharge continues is a new violation, and the recipient has 15 days to appeal in writing to the city clerk.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Camarillo

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