Pismo Beach, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Administered by
- Public Works Director
- Allowed into storm drains
- Storm water only, plus the § 13.28.100 exceptions
- Storm drain connection
- City permit, recorded agreement, sampling port, self-monitoring reports
- Inlet signs
- Complexes of four or more units, English and Spanish
- Spill report deadline
- To the director by 5:00 p.m. same business day
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, business license revocation, abatement costs, lien
Summary
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, Chapter 13.28 bars anything but storm water from the storm drain system, requires a city permit to connect to a public storm drain, and gives the Public Works Director power to order remediation, stop work and abatement. Violations are misdemeanors under Chapter 1.20 with added administrative fines.
The purpose and intent of this chapter is to ensure the health, safety, and general welfare of citizens, and protect and enhance the quality of watercourses and water bodies in a manner pursuant to and consistent with the Clean Water Act by reducing pollutants in storm water discharges to the maximum extent practicable, by prohibiting non-storm water discharges to the storm drain system, and improving storm water management. ... ... A. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the storm drain system any materials, including but not limited to pollutants or waters containing any pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards, other than storm water, including runoff as described in Chapter 13.24 ("Water Conservation"). ... ... A. Permit required. Any person who owns an existing connection or intends to connect directly to a public storm drain system must have a permit issued by the city to do so.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 13.28, titled the Stormwater Quality Ordinance in § 13.28.010, applies to all water entering the storm drain system from developed and undeveloped land in the City of Pismo Beach (§ 13.28.040). The Public Works Director administers and enforces it (§ 13.28.050). The stated purpose in § 13.28.020 is to reduce pollutants in storm water discharges to the maximum extent practicable and to prohibit non-storm water discharges to the storm drain system.
Section 13.28.090 prohibits discharging anything but storm water into the storm drain system and treats a discharge as having occurred if prohibited material is placed, blown, washed, tracked or allowed to accumulate anywhere storm water can carry it. Section 13.28.100 lists what is not an illegal discharge when properly managed: uncontaminated groundwater, air conditioning condensation, uncontaminated roof, foundation, footing or French drains, flows from riparian habitats and wetlands, residential car washing and fire fighting flows. Illicit connections are prohibited even if they were lawful when made (§ 13.28.110). A permit is required to own or make a connection to the public storm drain system, with a recorded agreement, a sampling port and self-monitoring reports (§ 13.28.180).
Property owners carry ongoing duties. Rainwater leaders, drains, pipes and swales cannot discharge onto a sidewalk, and water leaving the lot must be led under the sidewalk to the gutter (§ 13.28.120 B). Anyone responsible for an animal must promptly collect and remove its fecal matter (§ 13.28.130 C). Owners of an apartment or condominium complex of four or more units must post a DRAINS TO OCEAN OR CREEK sign in English and Spanish at each drainage inlet (§ 13.28.150 G). Owners with postconstruction storm water devices sign a recorded agreement and submit annual inspection and maintenance reports (§ 13.28.160 C). A release of a pollutant into an enclosed system or waterway must be reported to the director by 5:00 p.m. the same business day (§ 13.28.210 A).
Violations & Fines
Under § 13.28.280, a violation is a misdemeanor punishable under Chapter 1.20 (a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or up to six months) and carries fines under Chapter 1.24, business license revocation and, for right-of-way workers, a two-year ban from working in the right-of-way. The director can instead impose compensatory actions such as storm drain marking, compliance workshops or creek cleanup. Violations are public nuisances the city can abate at the violator's expense, and unpaid costs become a lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to connect to the storm drain?
Can I wash my car at home?
Who has to post drain inlet signs?
Who do I notify about a spill?
What happens after a notice of violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pismo Beach
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