Carlsbad, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Chapter 15.12, the Stormwater Management and Discharge Control ordinance, prohibits discharging anything but stormwater into the city's storm drains, including washwater from hosing gas stations, auto repair, mobile car washing, steam cleaning and power washing of driveways, patios and parking lots (§15.12.050). The chapter exists to keep pollutants out of receiving waters and wetlands consistent with the federal Clean Water Act and the city's municipal stormwater permit (§15.12.010). The enforcement official, defined as the City Manager or designee, administers the chapter and can delegate enforcement to city staff or contractors (§15.12.030).

When a violation is found, §15.12.150 lets the enforcement official issue cease-and-desist orders, notices to clean and abate, stop-work orders, and suspend or revoke building, grading or conditional use permits. Civil penalties run up to $2,500 per day the violation continues, plus the responsible party's investigation, inspection and abatement costs, and unpaid penalties can be recorded as a lien with the County Recorder. Under §15.12.160, a notice and order gives the violator 10 days to correct the problem before civil penalties begin accruing, and an uncorrected violation triggers a hearing before a City Manager-appointed hearing officer, whose decision on penalty amount weighs duration, frequency, seriousness, history and good-faith compliance efforts; aggregate civil penalties are capped at $100,000.

Separately, §15.12.170 makes a criminal violation punishable by a fine up to $1,000 per day or up to six months in San Diego County jail, or both, and every violation is also declared a public nuisance abatable under Chapter 6.16 (§15.12.180).