Oxnard, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Oxnard Code Art. XII, §§ 22-215 to 22-231
- Enforcing official
- Public Works director
- Illicit connections
- Prohibited outright, no exceptions
- Non-storm discharge
- Permit required unless exempt
- Cost recovery
- City may invoice and collect abatement costs
- Appeal right
- Every order must state right to appeal
Summary
Oxnard bans discharging anything but storm water into its storm drain system without a permit and outlaws illicit connections outright. The director can order cleanup, issue cease-and-desist orders, and recover abatement costs, with violations carrying civil, criminal, and administrative penalties under Article XII of Chapter 22.
(A) The discharge of pollutants into the storm drain system is prohibited. (B) All discharges of material other than storm water into the storm drain system must be in compliance with the city's NPDES permit and any other NPDES permit applicable to the subject property. (C) No person may do any of the following: (1) Construct, use, maintain, operate or utilize an illicit connection; ... (3) Cause, allow or facilitate an illicit discharge;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Contains Supplement current through 1-26-2026).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 22-217 prohibits discharging pollutants into the storm drain system and bars anyone from constructing, using, maintaining, or utilizing an illicit connection, or causing or facilitating an illicit discharge; the director can order the discharge or connection stopped immediately or by a set date and can act to eliminate the source if the deadline is missed. Sec. 22-218 requires a permit for any non-storm-water discharge to the storm drain system or receiving waters, with narrow exemptions for things like fire-fighting flows, natural springs, dechlorinated swimming pool discharges under strict limits, and non-commercial car washing.
Sec. 22-219 lists specific banned discharges: washwater from gas stations and auto repair shops, mobile auto or carpet washing, runoff from leaking machinery repair areas, swimming pool backwash and decorative fountain water, pet grooming wastewater, trash container leachate, and spills of pesticide, herbicide, construction debris, or animal waste. Construction and post-construction projects requiring a grading, building, or discretionary permit must comply with the municipal storm water permit and post-construction best management practices under Sec. 22-222 and Sec. 22-223. Enforcement runs through Sec. 22-230: the director can serve a notice of violation identifying the violated provision, set a compliance date, and order remediation, or issue a cease-and-desist order requiring immediate discontinuance of the discharge and cleanup of the affected area; unpaid abatement costs go to collections, and each day of continued violation is a separate offense.
Orders that cannot be served after reasonable efforts are deemed served ten business days after posting on the property, and every order must state the recipient's right to appeal under Sec. 22-231.
Violations & Fines
Each day a discharge violation continues, and each separate failure to comply with a notice of violation, cease-and-desist order, applicable stormwater plan, or NPDES permit condition, is a separate offense under Sec. 22-230(G). The director can bill the responsible party for the city's abatement and investigation costs, and unpaid invoices go to collection proceedings. Continued noncompliance can trigger civil, criminal, or administrative enforcement, and in an emergency the director may take direct abatement action, including decontamination and removal of materials, to stop an imminent hazard, then bill the property owner for that work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash my car in the driveway in Oxnard?
What discharges are specifically banned from Oxnard storm drains?
What can Oxnard do if I have an illegal storm drain connection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oxnard
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