Newport Beach, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

030(A) makes it unlawful for any person to construct, maintain, operate or utilize an illicit connection to the Storm Water Drainage System, or to cause, allow or facilitate a prohibited discharge, whether done directly or through an agent, employee or independent contractor. The prohibition reaches connections that predate the chapter's enactment; a legal nonconforming connection only becomes illicit after five years from adoption for structural improvements, or six months after the City delivers notice for nonstructural improvements, though the City Manager may grant a reasonable extension weighing the effect on receiving waters, the discharger's economic investment, and the financial impact of termination.

Under subsection C, a violation occurs regardless of the violator's negligence or intent, meaning strict liability attaches to an illicit connection or prohibited discharge. 040 governs new development and significant redevelopment: projects must comply with the City's Drainage Area Management Plan (DAMP) and any conditions the Community Development or Public Works Department imposes to reduce or eliminate pollutants in runoff, and that review must happen before the City issues a grading permit, building permit, or nonresidential plumbing permit, or before a discretionary approval or map recordation if no such permit is required.

Construction of a single detached home or duplex is exempt from the development project guidance unless the reviewing department determines the project may discharge a significant pollutant level into a tributary of the storm system. Property owners bear the DAMP compliance obligation, and it runs with the land to successors and assigns. 050, where an Authorized Inspector may enter property to trace discharges, sample runoff, review chemical and hazardous-waste records, and test the integrity of storm drain and sewer lines, but must first obtain either the owner's or occupant's consent or an administrative inspection warrant.