Highland, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing official
- City engineer (§ 13.04.050)
- Core prohibition
- No nonstormwater discharge without an NPDES or city permit
- Civil fine cap
- Not to exceed $1,000 for each offense
- Spill report deadline
- Written report within five working days
- Appeal window
- 10 days to the city council (§ 13.04.250)
- Criminal penalty
- Misdemeanor for willful violations
Summary
In the City of Highland, California, Chapter 13.04 of the Highland Municipal Code bans discharging anything other than stormwater into the city storm drain system, or into any street or ditch leading to a public storm drain, unless an NPDES permit or city permit allows it. Section 13.04.090 also bars leaving refuse or pollutants on sidewalks, alleys and lots.
It is prohibited to: A. Discharge directly or indirectly into the city storm drain system any nonstormwater or other solid, liquid or gaseous matter in violation of any law, rule, regulations, permit, order or other requirement of any federal, state, county, municipal or other governmental entity or agency. B. Discharge nonstormwater directly or indirectly to the storm drain system or any street, lined or unlined drainage ditch which leads to a public storm drain unless such discharge is permitted by an NPDES permit or a city permit. If such discharge is permitted by a NPDES permit, but causes the city to violate any portion of its NPDES permit for stormwater discharges, such discharge is also prohibited. C. Throw, deposit, leave, maintain, keep or permit to be thrown, deposited, left or maintained, in or upon any basin, alley, sidewalk, storm drain, inlet, catch basin, conduit or other drainage structures, business place, or upon any public or private lot in the city, any refuse, rubbish, garbage or other discarded or abandoned objects, articles, accumulations, or any substance that pollutes, or may pollute stormwater.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 13.04, Storm Drain Regulations, is enacted under the Federal Clean Water Act, 40 CFR Part 122, the Porter Cologne Act and NPDES No. CA 8000200 issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa Ana Region. Its stated purpose in § 13.04.020 is to eliminate nonpermitted discharges to the municipal separate storm drains and to reduce pollutants in stormwater discharges to the maximum extent practicable. The city engineer administers and enforces it under § 13.04.050.
Section 13.04.090 is the core prohibition. It bars any discharge into the storm drain system of nonstormwater or other solid, liquid or gaseous matter in violation of any law or permit; bars discharging nonstormwater to the system or to any street or drainage ditch that leads to a public storm drain unless an NPDES permit or a city permit allows it; and bars leaving refuse, rubbish, garbage or any substance that pollutes stormwater in or upon any alley, sidewalk, storm drain, inlet, catch basin or public or private lot in the city.
Section 13.04.100 lists the exceptions: waterline flushing with chlorine thoroughly neutralized, landscape irrigation, diverted stream flows and rising groundwater, uncontaminated pumped groundwater and foundation drains, individual residential car washings, dechlorinated swimming pool discharges, and flows from fire fighting.
Construction and drainage work needs approval. Section 13.04.070 prohibits illicit connections retroactively and requires permits to construct or modify any storm drain or drainage conveyor in easements, rights-of-way or private property that discharges directly or indirectly to the system, including under sidewalk drains, driveway approaches and unrestricted sheet flow. Section 13.04.080 requires the city engineer's prior written approval before altering the capacity, fall or structural integrity of a storm drain or channel. After an accidental discharge, § 13.04.150 requires a written report to the city engineer within five working days.
Violations & Fines
Section 13.04.260 lets the city revoke the business license of an industrial or commercial user that violates an administrative order and fine it a sum not to exceed $1,000 for each offense plus cleanup costs, with each day a separate offense. Section 13.04.270 makes willful violations a misdemeanor punishable under Chapter 1.24 HMC. Violations can also be declared a public nuisance abated at the owner's cost, secured by a lien under § 13.04.290.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash my car at home in the City of Highland?
What must a business do after an accidental discharge?
How do I appeal a city engineer decision on stormwater?
What is the maximum civil fine under the storm drain chapter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Highland
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