Perris, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Perris Municipal Code Chapter 14.22
- Criminal fine
- Up to $1,000/day or 6 months jail
- Civil penalty
- Up to $2,500 per violation-day
- Spill reporting deadline
- Within 24 hours of the discharge
- Setback from drainage channel
- 30 ft from centerline, 20 ft from edge
- Enforcing official
- City code enforcement supervisor
- WQMP trigger
- New development of 10+ dwelling units
Summary
Perris Municipal Code Chapter 14.22 makes it unlawful to release anything other than stormwater into the city's storm drains, gutters, channels and catch basins. Property owners, businesses and contractors must keep the system clear of debris, get a written permit before altering it, and use best management practices. The city's code enforcement supervisor investigates violations, which carry criminal fines up to $1,000 a day or six months in jail, plus civil penalties up to $2,500 a day.
The release of nonstormwater discharges into the stormwater conveyance system or to any other conveyance system which discharges into receiving waters is prohibited, except as specified in section 14.22.060. ... Discharges from the following activities will not be considered a source of pollutants to the stormwater conveyance system or receiving waters and are exempt from the definition of nonstormwater discharge when properly managed...: (1)Discharges from potable water line flushing and other potable water sources; ... (12)Noncommercial vehicle washing (e.g., residential car washing excluding engine degreasing) and car washing fundraisers by nonprofit organizations); ... (14)Dechlorinated swimming pool discharges. ... Criminal penalties. ...any person who violates any provision of this chapter...may be punished upon conviction by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 for each day in which such violation occurs, or imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed six months, or both. Civil penalties. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter...may be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500.00 for each day that such a violation exists.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
Under Perris Municipal Code Section 14.22.050, the release of nonstormwater discharges into the city's stormwater conveyance system, or into any other conveyance that empties into receiving waters, is prohibited except as specifically allowed by Section 14.22.060. The chapter defines a nonstormwater discharge as any discharge to the system not entirely composed of stormwater, and the stormwater conveyance system as the city's roads with drainage systems, streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, pipes, and natural or manmade channels. Enforcement runs through the city's code enforcement supervisor, the chapter's designated enforcement official, working under the public works director and the city's NPDES Permit No.
CAS 618033, Order No. R8-2002-0011. Section 14.22.060 exempts 15 categories of discharge from the ban when properly managed, including potable water line flushing, landscape and lawn irrigation, air conditioning condensate, diverted stream flows, noncommercial residential car washing, and dechlorinated swimming pool discharges. Anyone owning property crossed by the conveyance system must keep it free of trash, debris and excess vegetation under Section 14.22.100, and needs a written city permit to build within 30 feet of a channel's centerline or 20 feet of its edge, whichever distance is greater.
A spill that could reach the system must be contained and reported to the city within 24 hours under Section 14.22.120. New development of ten or more dwelling units, commercial or industrial projects of 100,000 square feet or more, restaurants over 5,000 square feet, and parking lots adding 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface must obtain city approval of a project-specific Water Quality Management Plan before grading or building permits issue, per Section 14.22.090. Enforcement tools under Section 14.22.140 include cease-and-desist orders, stop-work orders, permit or license suspension or revocation, and a court injunction to abate a public nuisance; Section 14.22.150 lets the city recover abatement costs as a lien on the property under Chapter 7.06.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 14.22, including ignoring a cease-and-desist order, a notice to clean and abate, or a stop-work order, is a criminal misdemeanor under Section 14.22.140(6): a fine up to $1,000 for each day the violation continues, up to six months in county jail, or both. The city can instead pursue a civil penalty up to $2,500 per day under Section 14.22.140(7), plus the full cost of investigation, inspection, abatement and legal fees, and compensatory damages for water quality or wildlife harm. Section 14.22.150 additionally declares the condition a public nuisance subject to lien-backed abatement under Chapter 7.06.
Frequently Asked Questions
What discharges does Perris prohibit into storm drains?
Are any discharges exempt from the ban?
What do I do if I have a spill near a storm drain?
Can I build next to a drainage channel in Perris?
What are the penalties for violating the stormwater chapter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Perris
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