Hayward, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing permit
- NPDES Permit No. CAS612008
- Trash capture deadline
- 4 months from written notice
- Treatment measure trigger
- >50% impervious surface increase
- Enforcing official
- Director of Public Works
- Lien timing
- 3 months after unpaid abatement
Summary
Hayward bans non-stormwater discharges into its storm sewer system under Municipal Code Article 5, tying every property to NPDES Permit No. CAS612008. Commercial sites must install trash-capture systems within four months of notice, and altering a creek needs a Public Works permit.
The discharge of non-stormwater discharges to the City storm sewer system is prohibited. Prohibited discharges include, but are not limited to polluted cooling water, chlorinated or chloraminated swimming pool water, hazardous or toxic chemicals, grease, animal wastes, detergents, solvents, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and dirt. All discharges of material other than stormwater must be in compliance with a NPDES Permit issued for the discharge other than NPDES Permit No. CAS612008.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 28 Update 1 | Charter: Supplement 1).
Full Breakdown
Hayward Municipal Code Chapter 11, Article 5 (the Stormwater Management and Urban Runoff Control Ordinance, rewritten by Ordinance 23-05 on April 18, 2023) prohibits discharging anything but stormwater into the municipal storm sewer: cooling water, chlorinated pool water, hazardous chemicals, grease, animal waste, detergents, pesticides and dirt are named outright under Sec. 19. Every non-exempt discharge must comply with NPDES Permit No. CAS612008, issued under the Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (Order No. R2-2022-0018). Exempt flows include landscape irrigation, individual residential car washing, dechlorinated pool discharges and firefighting water, so ordinary yard watering is not a violation.
Commercial and industrial property owners must install a Full Trash Capture System within four months of written notice from an Authorized Enforcement Official (Sec. 22(b)), placed no farther downstream than the last private drainage structure before city pipes. Anyone owning property along a creek or drainage channel must keep it free of trash and excess vegetation and needs a written permit from the Director of Public Works before discharging into, modifying, or building within a watercourse (Sec. 23). New Regulated Projects and Significant Redevelopment Projects that increase or replace more than 50% of a site's impervious surface must install Stormwater Treatment Measures for the life of the project, and the Director of Public Works must certify compliance before any final building or occupancy permit issues (Sec. 38).
Violations & Fines
Violations are a declared public nuisance the City Attorney can abate or enjoin (Sec. 11-5.33); unpaid abatement costs become a lien on the property, sellable at execution if unpaid three months after the City completes the work. The City can also sue for injunctions, investigation costs, and compensatory damages to water quality or wildlife (Sec. 11-5.34), and an Authorized Enforcement Official may issue cease-and-desist orders or a written notice to clean debris off a lot (Sec. 11-5.35). Concealing a violation is itself a separate violation (Sec. 11-5.31), and conduct that also breaches the federal Clean Water Act or the state Porter-Cologne Act can draw separate civil or criminal penalties (Sec. 11-5.32).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash my car in my Hayward driveway?
Do I need a permit to clear brush along a creek on my property?
What happens if my business doesn't install a required trash capture system?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hayward
California rules heatmap·Compare Hayward to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle stormwater management.