Butte County, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Adopted as the 'Stormwater Ordinance' (Section 50-1) to satisfy the federal Clean Water Act and the state Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, Chapter 50 applies to every discharger in the unincorporated County within the Small MS4 General Permit jurisdictional area (Sections 50-2, 50-3, 50-6). Section 50-11 makes it unlawful to cause an illicit discharge, meaning any material other than stormwater, into the County storm drain system, natural surface waters, or watercourses. under the landscaping standards of Section 24-116. The Administrator (the Director of Public Works or a designee) can revoke any exemption by written notice if a discharge threatens water quality or public safety (Section 50-13).

Illicit connections to the storm drain system or watercourses are separately prohibited and must be removed on the Administrator's order (Section 50-15), and Section 50-16 makes clear that a violation occurs regardless of the discharger's negligence or intent. Section 50-17 bars throwing or leaving refuse, rubbish, or litter where it could become a pollutant to the storm system, on top of the general waste disposal prohibition. Violations are enforced under County Code Chapter 41 (Section 50-27), are deemed a public nuisance subject to abatement at the violator's expense (Section 50-28), and can expose a discharger to civil and criminal penalties under the Clean Water Act and Porter-Cologne Act as well as County remedies (Section 50-30).

Anyone who receives a written notice of violation from the Administrator may appeal to the Clerk of the Board within thirty calendar days by paying the fee set in Section 3-43(1) (Section 50-33).