Cupertino, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Municipal Code Chapter 9.18
- Enforcing official
- Director of Public Works
- Accidental discharge report
- Immediate notice, written statement within 5 business days
- Inspector compliance window
- Up to 10 business days after violation noted
- Illicit connection penalty
- Up to $25,000 per day per violation
- Violation classification
- Misdemeanor under Chapter 1.12
Summary
Cupertino bans discharging anything other than stormwater into its storm drain system, watercourses, or San Francisco Bay under Chapter 9.18. The Director of Public Works administers the rule under the City's Municipal Regional NPDES Permit, and violators face misdemeanor prosecution plus civil penalties reaching twenty-five thousand dollars per day for illicit-connection discharges.
It is unlawful to cause, allow, or permit to be discharged to any public or private lands, any discharge not composed entirely of stormwater to the storm drain system or to surface waters or to any location where it would contact or eventually be transported to surface waters, including flood plain areas, unless specifically called out in the Municipal Regional Permit as an exempt or conditionally exempt discharge. ... City may, from time to time, by resolution of the City Council adopt supplementary policies, rules and regulations on discharge into any storm drain or watercourse which shall have the same force and effect as if set forth herein and for which the remedies herein for violation shall be applicable.
Full Breakdown
18 implements the Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES Permit that the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board issued to the City on October 14, 2009. 040 makes it unlawful to discharge anything but stormwater into the City's storm drain system, surface waters, or any location where it would reach a watercourse, unless the Municipal Regional Permit lists it as an exempt or conditionally exempt discharge. The prohibition covers pool water, carwash water, sediment, stockpiled material, rubbish, and hazardous materials left where they threaten to reach a drain.
Categorically allowed discharges are limited to items such as natural spring flows, rising groundwater, and single-family foundation and footing drain water. 015, administers and enforces the chapter and may delegate that authority to other City staff. 070. 195. 260. Penalty funds are deposited into the City's Environmental Storm Management Account.
Violations & Fines
A first offense is a misdemeanor prosecuted under Chapter 1.12, and the City may also seek civil penalties up to $25,000 per day per violation for discharges made through illicit connections under Section 9.18.240, or petition the Superior Court under Government Code Section 54740 to recover those sums. Administrative citations under Chapter 1.10 and re-inspection fees also apply, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cupertino
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle stormwater management.