Lake County, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Director of Community Development
- Infraction fine
- Up to $250
- Misdemeanor fine
- Up to $1,000 and/or 6 months jail
- Civil penalty
- Minimum $1,000 per violation per day
- Spill notice window
- 24 hours to Director/Implementing Agency
- Appeal deadline
- 10 days to the Board of Supervisors
Summary
Lake County bans any non-storm water discharge into the County storm drainage system or natural surface waters outside limited exceptions the Director authorizes. Illicit connections, dumping refuse near storm drains, and violating an NPDES construction or industrial permit are all separately prohibited under Chapter 29 of the County Code.
10.1 It is unlawful for any person to make or cause to be made any non-storm water discharge into the County storm drainage system or directly to natural surface waters, except as allowed by the Municipal Storm Water Permit. ... 48.1 A violation of any provision of this chapter, any order issued pursuant to the chapter or any wastewater permit condition imposed pursuant to this chapter is punishable as an infraction by a fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00); or as misdemeanor by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Full Breakdown
Section 29-10 makes it unlawful for any person to make or cause a non-storm water discharge into the County storm drainage system or directly to natural surface waters, except as allowed under the Municipal Storm Water Permit. Section 29-11 lets the Director maintain a list of Authorized Non-Storm Water Discharges permitted under that Municipal Storm Water Permit. Section 29-12 separately bars discharging storm water or material that causes the County to violate water quality standards or its permit obligations. Section 29-13 prohibits constructing, using, maintaining, or continuing any illicit connection to the storm drain system, expressly including connections made in the past regardless of whether they were legal when installed.
Section 29-14 bars throwing, depositing, or leaving refuse, rubbish, garbage, or litter on public or private property, driveways, streets, or any storm drain component where it may cause or contribute to pollution. Section 29-15 requires anyone subject to an industrial or construction activity NPDES storm water permit to show proof of coverage and compliance, which the Director can require as a condition of a subdivision map, site plan, building permit, or other development approval. Section 29-24 requires construction sites holding a building permit to implement Best Management Practices to control pollutant discharge to the maximum extent practicable.
Section 29-25 requires the Board to adopt post-construction performance standards and BMP requirements for new development or significant redevelopment disturbing one acre or more, including smaller projects that are part of a larger common plan of development. Section 29-26 requires anyone discovering a spill that may cause an illegal discharge to immediately contain and clean it up, notify emergency dispatch for hazardous materials, and notify the Director or Implementing Agency within 24 hours for discharges not otherwise covered by Water Code Sections 13271-13272, followed by a written report within 5 days.
Violations & Fines
The Director may issue a warning notice or a formal notice of violation under Section 29-41 specifying a compliance date, and can order immediate cessation through a cease and desist order under Section 29-42. Under Section 29-48, a violation is punishable as an infraction with a fine up to $250, or as a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1,000, up to six months in County Jail, or both, with each day of violation a separate offense. Section 29-49 allows the County to pursue civil action for injunctive relief and damages of at least $1,000 per violation per day, and Section 29-50 lets the County treat a violation as a public nuisance and abate it, charging the property owner and recording a lien if unpaid within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash mud or dirt into a storm drain from a construction site?
What happens if I get a notice of violation from the County?
How much can I be fined for an illicit connection to the storm drain system?
Do I have to report a chemical spill that could reach a storm drain?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
California rules heatmap·Compare Lake County to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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