Elk Grove, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing permit
- NPDES Permit No. CA0082597
- Criminal penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine / 6 months jail
- Illicit connection cure window
- 30 days to disconnect
- Enforcing officer
- Public Works Director (Administrator)
- Each day of violation
- Separate offense
Summary
Elk Grove bans nearly all nonstormwater discharges into its storm drains and creeks under Municipal Code Section 15.12.100, part of the City's Clean Water Act permit as a co-permittee with Sacramento County. Knowing or negligent violations are a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail under Section 15.12.470.
Except as provided in EGMC Section 15.12.110, it shall be unlawful for any person to make or cause to be made any nonstormwater discharge into the City stormwater conveyance system or directly to the Sacramento River, American River, Cosumnes River, Mokelumne River, or navigable waters of the Delta. ... Any person who negligently or knowingly violates any provision of this chapter, undertakes to conceal any violation of this chapter, continues any violation of this chapter after notice thereof, or fails to implement BMPs in accordance with EGMC Section 15.12.200(B) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof be fined not more than One Thousand and no/100ths ($1,000) Dollars or imprisoned for not more than six (6) months in the Jail, or both.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4937385; v2 updated 2026-05-13; through 05-13-2026).
Full Breakdown
12 exists because Elk Grove is a co-permittee under NPDES Permit No. 010 finds the chapter necessary to meet that permit's legal-authority requirements. 110 exempts specific low-risk flows such as landscape irrigation runoff, individual residential car washing, air conditioning condensate, and dechlorinated pool discharge, as long as none of them violate a receiving-water limit. 150, and anyone with a connection that predates the ordinance had 30 days from its effective date to disconnect or apply for a City permit to keep it. 420, each appealable, before the case ever reaches criminal enforcement. 520 for repeat noncompliance.
Violations & Fines
A negligent or knowing violation, concealing a violation, or ignoring BMP requirements under Section 15.12.200(B) is a misdemeanor under Section 15.12.470(A), punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, six months in jail, or both, with City employees authorized to issue citations under Penal Code Section 836.5. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and the City can also sue for cleanup costs, environmental damages, and injunctive relief under Section 15.12.480.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hose soap and dirty water into the street in Elk Grove?
What is the penalty for illegally discharging into a storm drain?
What if my property has an illegal pipe connected to the storm drain system?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Elk Grove
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle stormwater management.