Gardena, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Illicit connections
- Prohibited; must be removed or sealed
- Parking lot sweeping
- Required for lots over 25 spaces
- Max misdemeanor fine
- Up to $1,000 or 6 months jail
- Sidewalk rinsing exemption
- 0.006 gal/sq ft, no cleaning agents
- Enforcing agency
- Public works director
Summary
In the City of Gardena, no one may build, maintain or use an illicit connection to the municipal storm drain system, and dumping pollutants such as wash water, oils, or construction debris into the storm drain is banned under Chapter 8.70. The public works director administers and enforces the chapter.
No person shall construct, utilize, maintain, operate or permit the existence of any illicit connection on any premises owned or operated by such person. ... The discharge of wash waters to the MS4 from the cleaning of gas stations, auto repair garages, or other types of automotive service facilities; ... All owners and operators of industrial and/or commercial motor vehicle parking lots containing more than twenty-five parking spaces shall conduct regular sweeping and other similar measures to minimize the discharge of pollutants and other debris in the municipal storm drain system.
Full Breakdown
Gardena Municipal Code § 8.70.050 flatly bars any illicit connection to the municipal storm drain system: no person may construct, utilize, maintain, operate, or permit one to exist on premises they own or operate, and any existing illicit connection must be terminated, removed, or sealed as the public works director approves. Section 8.70.060 lists prohibited illicit discharges in detail, covering wash water from gas stations and auto repair garages, mobile auto washing and steam cleaning runoff, discharge from leaking machinery, chlorinated pool water and filter backwash, concrete truck wash water, and dumping of litter, banned pesticides, food waste, fuel, and animal waste into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4).
Owners and operators of commercial or industrial parking lots with more than twenty-five spaces must regularly sweep to limit debris reaching the storm drain. A defined list of exemptions covers things like uncontaminated groundwater infiltration, dechlorinated pool discharges, noncommercial car washing, and sidewalk rinsing at no more than 0.006 gallons per square foot with no cleaning agents. Section 8.70.030 delegates administration to the public works director, and § 8.70.040 lets the city council set fees by resolution for plan checking, inspection, and enforcement under the chapter.
Violations & Fines
Under § 8.70.120(B), any violation of Chapter 8.70 is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in county jail, or both, though the prosecuting attorney may instead pursue an administrative fine under Chapter 1.20. Violators must reimburse the city for all investigation, monitoring and cleanup costs, including attorneys' fees, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense; unpaid costs tied to a nuisance become a lien on the property under Government Code § 38773.1.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is an illicit connection under Gardena's code?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gardena
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle stormwater management.