Placer County, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Placer County Department of Public Works
- Coverage
- Unincorporated Placer County only
- Illicit connection cutoff
- Disconnect within 30 days of adoption
- Spill reporting window
- Notify enforcement agency within 24 hours
- Compliance order appeal
- 10 days to Director of Public Works
- Further appeal
- 15 days to Board of Supervisors
Summary
Placer County's Stormwater Quality Ordinance bans illicit discharges into the county storm drain system across the unincorporated area. The Department of Public Works enforces the rule against dumping, construction runoff and illegal storm-drain hookups, with notices of noncompliance, compliance orders, citations and misdemeanor charges available for violations.
Except as provided in Section 8.28.090 of this article, it is unlawful for any person to make or cause to be made any illicit discharge into the storm drain system. Notwithstanding the exemptions provided by Section 8.28.090, if the enforcement agency determines any otherwise exempt discharge causes or significantly contributes to violations of any plan standard, or conveys significant quantities of pollutants to surface water(s) or watercourse(s), or is a danger to public health or safety, such discharge shall be prohibited from entering the storm drain system.
Full Breakdown
080). 090, such as landscape irrigation, individual car washing or dechlorinated pool water, become prohibited if the Department of Public Works, the designated enforcement agency, finds they significantly contribute to pollution or endanger public health. 150 layers on affirmative duties: property owners must maintain best management practices, disconnect any illicit connection within 30 days of the article's adoption, keep paved sidewalks free of dirt and litter, and control runoff from construction sites and paved areas, drawing on the West Placer and East Placer Storm Water Quality Design Manuals where applicable. 160). 180-190); each day of violation is a separate offense. 200).
Violations & Fines
Violations are infractions or, at the county's discretion, misdemeanors under Article 1.24, with each day of noncompliance charged as a separate offense (§ 8.28.190(G)). The county can also bring a civil action seeking injunctive relief, reimbursement of investigation costs, and compensatory damages for water-quality loss (§ 8.28.210), and may urgently abate an ongoing discharge that threatens public health, billing the cost to the property owner (§ 8.28.220).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is car washing at home banned under Placer County's stormwater rule?
Who enforces Placer County's stormwater ordinance?
What happens if I don't disconnect an illegal pipe into the storm drain?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Placer County
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