Madera County, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- unincorporated Madera County only
- Core prohibition
- § 16.12.070, illegal discharges
- Civil penalty
- up to $1,000 per day
- NPDES notice filed with
- Madera County Public Works Dept.
- Watercourse duty
- keep clear of trash, debris
Summary
Unincorporated Madera County bans discharging any pollutant other than stormwater into the county's MS4 storm drain system, allowing only a short list of exempt flows like irrigation runoff, firefighting water, and NPDES-permitted discharges.
No person shall throw, drain, or otherwise discharge, cause, or allow others under its control to throw, drain, or otherwise discharge into the MS4 any pollutants or waters containing any pollutants, other than stormwater.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 16.12 of the Madera County Code governs stormwater and storm sewer systems across the unincorporated county. Section 16.12.070 bars throwing or discharging any pollutant, other than stormwater, into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), subject to a narrow exempt list in subsection A (water line flushing, individual car washing, dechlorinated pool discharges, footing drains, and similar flows). Industrial and construction operators discharging under an NPDES permit must file a copy of their notice of intent with the Madera County Public Works Department at 200 W. 4th Street. Property owners must also keep any watercourse crossing their land free of trash, debris, and obstructions under § 16.12.090.
Violations & Fines
County can issue a warning notice then a notice of violation, suspend MS4 access, and impose civil penalties up to $1,000 per day per unremedied violation under § 16.12.200; criminal prosecution is separately authorized under § 16.12.210.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside the City of Madera or Chowchilla?
What can legally go into a county storm drain?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madera County
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