Stanislaus County, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 14.14.050
- Enforcing agency
- Department of Public Works
- Spill notification window
- 24 hours (§ 14.14.130)
- Abatement plan deadline
- 30 days after notice
- Base penalty class
- Misdemeanor or infraction
Summary
Stanislaus County bans any nonstormwater discharge into the county's stormwater conveyance system outside a short exemption list. Even an exempt discharge loses its exemption the moment the Regional Water Quality Control Board or the county's enforcement official finds it violates a stormwater permit or threatens public health.
A. Except as provided in Section 14.14.060, it is unlawful for any person to make or cause to be made any nonstormwater discharge. B. Notwithstanding the exemptions provided by Section 14.14.060, if the Regional Water Quality Control Board or the enforcement official determines that any otherwise exempt discharge causes or significantly contributes to violations of any stormwater permit, or conveys significant quantities of pollutants to a surface water or stormwater conveyance, or is a danger to public health or safety, such discharge shall be prohibited from entering the stormwater conveyance system.
Full Breakdown
060: things like water-line flushing, air-conditioning condensate, individual residential car washing, and firefighting flows. 050(B) strips that protection back: if the Regional Water Quality Control Board or the county's enforcement official determines an otherwise-exempt discharge causes or significantly contributes to a stormwater permit violation, conveys significant pollutants to surface water, or endangers public health or safety, the discharge must stop from entering the system regardless of its listed exemption. 150, and can issue a written notice and order to abate by personal service or certified mail; the recipient then has thirty days (or a shorter period stated in the notice) to submit an explanation and a correction plan. Failure to comply lets the director perform the abatement work and bill the property owner. 130.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of Chapter 14.14 is a misdemeanor under Section 14.14.180, unless the director of public works or the district attorney elects to charge it as an infraction instead. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense. A violation is also declared a public nuisance under Section 14.14.150(B), letting the county abate it directly and recover its costs from the property owner, in addition to any Clean Water Act or Porter-Cologne Act sanctions the discharge may separately trigger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash my car in my Stanislaus County driveway?
What happens if my exempt discharge is polluting a creek?
Who do I call if I see an illegal discharge into a storm drain?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stanislaus County
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