El Cajon, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Discharge rule
- Non-storm water banned without RWQCB OK
- Connections
- Illegal connections barred, even permitted ones
- MS4 permit
- Contributing to MS4 violation is unlawful
- Penalties
- Misdemeanor, infraction, civil action available
Summary
El Cajon bans any non-storm-water discharge into its storm drain system unless the Regional Water Quality Control Board specifically authorizes it, under Municipal Code Section 13.10.050. Illegal connections to the storm drain system are barred outright, and depositing waste where it can wash into a drain or waterway is also prohibited.
Discharges from the storm water conveyance system in a manner causing, or threatening to cause, a condition of pollution, contamination, or nuisance (as defined in the section 13050 of the Act) in receiving waters of the state are prohibited. ... Any discharge to a storm water conveyance system that is not composed entirely of storm water is prohibited unless authorized by the RWQCB. ... Illegal Connection. The establishment of illegal connections is prohibited. The use of illegal connections is prohibited, even if the connection was established pursuant to a valid city permit and was legal at the time it was constructed. ... Prevention of Illegal Discharges. Throwing, depositing, leaving, abandoning, maintaining or keeping materials or wastes on public or private lands in a manner and place where they may result in an illegal discharge is prohibited.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940073; v10 updated 2026-06-09).
Full Breakdown
050(A). 060. Subsection (D) prohibits establishing or using an illegal connection to the storm drain system, even one that was legally built under a valid city permit at the time. Subsection (E) prohibits throwing, depositing, leaving or abandoning materials or wastes on public or private land in a way that could result in an illegal discharge, and subsection (F) separately bans discharging industrial waste to septic systems, waste to land or inland surface waters outside authorized limits, radioactive or biological warfare agents, sewage, and sediment or earthen material that causes turbidity or discoloration in state waters.
Subsection (G) makes it unlawful to cause or contribute to any violation of the city's MS4 municipal stormwater discharge permit. 190 sets misdemeanor, infraction, administrative and civil penalties for any violation of the chapter, including injunctive relief and cost recovery for investigation and cleanup.
Violations & Fines
Discharging anything other than storm water into the storm drain system without Regional Water Quality Control Board authorization, making or using an illegal connection, or dumping waste where it can wash into a drain violates Section 13.10.050. Violations can be charged as a misdemeanor, infraction or administrative penalty under Section 13.10.190, and the city can also sue for injunctive relief, cleanup costs, civil penalties and attorney fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What counts as an illegal connection under El Cajon's storm water rules?
What penalties apply for violating El Cajon's storm water ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Cajon
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How other cities in San Diego County handle stormwater management.