Chula Vista, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Discharge ban
- Non-storm water into the MS4 (§14.20.100)
- Governing NPDES permit
- No. CAS 0109266
- Enforcement official
- Director of Public Works (§14.20.030(K))
- Spill notice deadline
- Within 24 hours (§14.20.130)
- BMP compliance
- Mandatory citywide (§14.20.120(A))
- Penalties destination
- Storm drain revenue fund
Summary
Chula Vista bans any non-storm water discharge into its municipal storm drain system under CVMC § 14.20.100, backing a citywide NPDES program (Permit No. CAS 0109266) that also requires businesses to apply best management practices to keep pollutants out of runoff. The Director of Public Works administers and enforces the chapter.
A. It is unlawful for any person to discharge non-storm water into the storm water conveyance system, except as provided in CVMC 14.20.110. B. It is unlawful for any person to cause either individually or jointly any discharge into or from the storm water conveyance system that results in or contributes to a violation of any NPDES permit.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 3623, passed May 19, 2026).
Full Breakdown
010, is to prohibit non-storm water discharges to the storm water conveyance system, prevent spills and dumping from reaching it, and reduce pollutants in urban runoff to the maximum extent practicable, consistent with the federal Clean Water Act, the state Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board's NPDES Permit No. CAS 0109266. 020 applies the chapter to the direct or indirect discharge of pollutants into the City's conveyance system. 110, such as uncontaminated pumped groundwater covered by a separate NPDES permit, and separately unlawful to cause a discharge that violates the City's NPDES permit; liability for resulting damage, abatement costs, or fines falls on whoever causes the discharge.
120 layers on affirmative duties: compliance with City-established best management practices (BMPs) is mandatory, the enforcement official may require a business causing or risking an illegal discharge to prepare a storm water pollution prevention plan, and owners of parking lots or other impervious surfaces must clean them regularly enough to prevent pollutants from reaching the storm drains. 130. 230.
Violations & Fines
Discharging non-storm water into the City's conveyance system, or causing a discharge that violates the NPDES permit, is unlawful under CVMC § 14.20.100, with the discharger liable for resulting damage, abatement costs, or fines. Failing to comply with required BMPs is separately unlawful under § 14.20.120(A). Chapter 14.20's enforcement provisions (§§ 14.20.300–14.20.360) include administrative notice-and-hearing procedures, judicial enforcement, treatment of violations as a public nuisance, and civil penalties deposited into the City's storm drain revenue fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to let anything besides rain run into Chula Vista storm drains?
Who enforces Chula Vista's stormwater rules?
What if I discover a spill that could reach a storm drain?
Do businesses have to use best management practices?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chula Vista
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How other cities in San Diego County handle stormwater management.