Los Banos, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing ordinance
- Ord. No. 1094, eff. June 19, 2010
- Core prohibition
- § 6-13.106, no non-storm-water discharge
- SWPPP trigger
- 1+ acre of soil disturbance, § 6-13.111
- Hazardous spill report
- Call 911 immediately, § 6-13.113
- Nonhazardous spill report
- Public Works by 5 p.m. next business day
- Administering agency
- Public Works Director, § 6-13.104
Summary
Los Banos regulates what can enter its storm drains under the Los Banos Urban Storm Water Management and Discharge Control Ordinance, Municipal Code Chapter 6-13. Section 6-13.106 bans discharging anything but storm water into the storm drain system or watercourses when it would violate water quality standards, with narrow listed exceptions like lawn irrigation and clear pool water.
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the municipal storm drain system or water courses any materials, including, but not limited to, pollutants or waters containing any pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards, other than storm water. The commencement, conduct or continuance of any illegal discharge to the storm drain system is prohibited except as described herein.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4356507; v3 updated 2025-03-05).
Full Breakdown
The ordinance, adopted by Ordinance No. 114, exists to keep pollutants out of the City's storm drains under the Federal Clean Water Act. 106 forbids any discharge to the storm drain system or watercourses other than storm water that would violate water quality standards, though it exempts limited flows such as landscape irrigation, potable water line flushing, uncontaminated groundwater, individual residential car washing, and clear, non-chlorinated pool water. 108. 111 and file it with the Public Works Department before construction begins. the next business day, confirmed in writing within three business days, with records kept for at least three years. 114.
Violations & Fines
Causing, permitting, aiding, abetting or concealing a violation of the stormwater chapter is itself a violation under § 6-13.109. The Enforcement Official, normally the Public Works Director or a designee, can sample, inspect and require monitoring under § 6-13.114, and a discharger whose samples confirm an illegal discharge can be billed for the cost of that testing and sampling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can't go into a Los Banos storm drain?
Do I have to report a spill that might reach a storm drain?
Does a construction project need a stormwater plan in Los Banos?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Banos
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