Mountain View, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Mountain View City Code Sec. 35.32.3.1 makes it unlawful to discharge or threaten to discharge anything other than stormwater into any curbside gutter, storm sewer, storm drain, creek or natural outlet. The ordinance names the specific sources it targets: toilets, sinks, commercial or industrial process water, cooling systems, air compressors, boilers, carpet and fabric cleaning, equipment and vehicle washing, swimming pool and spa water, fountains, and construction activity such as painting, paving, concrete work, saw cutting and grading. Any of these discharges is illegal unless the discharger holds a permit from the fire chief or the activity is specifically exempted by fire department regulation. The code separately bars any discharge that would push the city's own NPDES stormwater permit or applicable water quality standards out of compliance.

Property owners and dischargers carry an affirmative duty under Sec. 35.32.3.5 to immediately report spills, sanitary sewer overflows, illicit connections and illegal dumping to the fire chief, and to take immediate action to stop, contain and clean up the discharge. Under Sec. 35.32.1, the fire chief or an authorized city representative can demand immediate entry to inspect any property suspected of an ongoing violation that threatens public health or safety. Chapter 35's permanent stormwater program (Sec. 35.34) additionally requires owners of developed and redeveloped sites to inspect their stormwater pollution prevention measures twice a year, once before the rainy season and once in winter, and to keep and submit written inspection records annually.