Davis, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing permit
- NPDES General Permit CAS000004
- Administering official
- Public works director
- Civil penalty cap
- $5,000 per violation per day
- Per-gallon penalty cap
- $10 per gallon discharged
- Criminal penalty
- $1,000 fine and/or 6 months jail
Summary
Davis bans discharging anything but stormwater into its storm drain system under Chapter 30, implementing its federal Clean Water Act NPDES permit. Violators face notice-and-correct enforcement, civil penalties up to five thousand dollars per day, and criminal misdemeanor charges.
The purpose and intent of this chapter is to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of citizens, and to protect and enhance the water quality of watercourses and water bodies in a manner pursuant to and consistent with the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. Sections 1251 et seq.). ... No person shall discharge, permit to be discharged, or cause to be discharged non-stormwater to the storm drain system, except as may be permitted by the Phase II Small MS4 General Permit (NPDES General Permit No. CAS000004) and/or in Section 30.02.020. ... the city may impose a penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars (depending on the severity of the violation) for each violation for each day the violation(s) continue(s).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4915048; v22 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
010, to protect water quality consistent with the Federal Clean Water Act and the city's NPDES General Permit No. CAS000004, by reducing pollutants in stormwater and prohibiting nonstormwater discharges to the storm drain system. 020, which cover things like individual residential car washing, dechlorinated pool water, and firefighting flows, so long as they are not identified as significant pollutant sources. 030 and can require best management practices, stormwater maintenance agreements, and inspections. 070 separately bans establishing or maintaining any illicit connection to the storm drain, regardless of when the connection was made or whether it was once permitted.
020 lets the city order compliance by written notice, which can require monitoring, elimination of illicit discharges, remediation, and payment of the city's administrative and remediation costs, with a set deadline to comply.
Violations & Fines
Under Section 30.06.030, missed deadlines can bring a stop-work order, withheld certificate of occupancy, or suspended permit, plus civil penalties up to five thousand dollars per violation per day, or up to ten dollars per gallon discharged, based on the discharge's toxicity, volume, and the violator's history and ability to pay. A knowing or willful violation is also a misdemeanor punishable by up to one thousand dollars or six months in jail, with each day a separate offense, appealable to the city manager within ten days under Section 30.06.040.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash my car in my Davis driveway?
What is the maximum fine for an illegal stormwater discharge in Davis?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Davis
California rules heatmap·Compare Davis to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Yolo County handle stormwater management.