La Mesa, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Core rule
- no non-storm water into storm drains, § 7.18.040(B)
- Misdemeanor penalty
- up to $1,000 fine, 6 months jail, § 7.18.230
- Infraction option
- $250 first/second, $500 third offense per year
- Enforcing official
- city engineer, cease-and-desist and lien authority
- Adopted
- Ordinance 2008-2787, February 12, 2008
Summary
La Mesa's storm water ordinance bars sending anything but rain into the city's storm drains. Municipal Code Section 7.18.040 prohibits discharging non-storm water into the storm water conveyance system or receiving waters, covering everything from wash water and pool chemicals to construction and food-service waste, with violations charged under Section 7.18.230 as a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and six months in jail.
B.Discharge of Non-Storm Water Prohibited. No person shall discharge non-storm water directly or indirectly into the storm water conveyance system or receiving waters. ... A.Misdemeanor Violation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, a violation of this chapter is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than six months or both fine and imprisonment. Any such violation may be charged as an infraction at the discretion of the city attorney. Any person convicted of an infraction under the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars for a first or second offense in one year, and not to exceed five hundred dollars for a third violation in one year.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 7.18, Storm Water Management and Discharge Control, defines the storm water conveyance system broadly to include streets, curbs, gutters, catch basins and natural channels, then Section 7.18.040(B) prohibits discharging non-storm water into that system or into receiving waters, listing illegal discharges that include sewage; wash water from gas stations, auto repair or mobile car washing and steam cleaning; runoff from chemical, fuel or hazardous material storage; pool and fountain water containing chlorine or biocides; and food-related wastes such as grease and restaurant kitchen wash water.
Section 7.18.040(C) carves out narrow conditional exceptions, such as discharges covered by a facility-specific NPDES permit, uncontaminated groundwater from foundation or footing drains, diverted stream flows, air conditioning condensation, and non-emergency firefighting flows addressed with best management practices, but the city engineer can still prohibit any of those if they turn out to be a significant pollutant source. Section 7.18.060 separately bars any illegal connection to the system, and Section 7.18.070 bans littering or leaving debris on streets, sidewalks or drainage structures that drains into it.
Dischargers must implement written best management practices under Sections 7.18.080 through 7.18.140, covering everything from erosion control on graded slopes to annual self-inspections, and the city engineer can order sampling, monitoring and a local storm water pollution prevention plan under Sections 7.18.150 and 7.18.180. Section 7.18.210 makes compliance a condition of every city permit, and Section 7.18.220 declares any violation a public nuisance. Enforcement sits with the city engineer, who can issue cease-and-desist orders, and violations may be recorded as liens against the property.
Violations & Fines
Section 7.18.230(A) makes a violation of the storm water chapter a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both, though the city attorney may instead charge it as an infraction capped at $250 for a first or second offense in a year and $500 for a third. The city engineer can also issue civil penalties, cease-and-desist orders, and property liens under Section 7.18.230(C) and (F).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hose off my driveway into the street in La Mesa?
What's the penalty for an illegal storm drain discharge?
Who enforces La Mesa's storm water rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in La Mesa
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