Salinas, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Adopted as the "City of Salinas Stormwater Management and Discharge Control Ordinance" under Sec. 29-1, Chapter 29 exists, per Sec. 29-2, to protect water quality "pursuant to and consistent with" the city's NPDES permit and the federal Clean Water Act by reducing pollutants in urban runoff to the "maximum extent practicable" and "effectively prohibiting nonstormwater discharges" to the storm drain system. The city engineer administers and enforces the chapter under Sec. 29-4.

Sec. 29-9 sets the core rule: nonstormwater discharges to the city's storm drain system are prohibited except as specifically exempted, and no one may contribute any pollutant or substance that would interfere with the drain system or violate the city's NPDES permit. Sec. 29-10 exempts limited flows, such as diverted streams, footing drains, air-conditioning condensation, water-line flushing, and individual residential car washing, when properly managed. Sec. 29-12 lists unauthorized discharges the city specifically targets, including wash water from gas stations and vehicle repair shops, mobile power-washing and steam-cleaning runoff, and pool or fountain backwash containing chlorine or biocides.

New development and significant redevelopment must implement low-impact-development strategies and structural treatment controls, submit a stormwater control plan as part of the building permit application, and record an enforceable maintenance easement or covenant before a certificate of occupancy issues, under Sec. 29-15(e). Illicit connections to the storm system are separately banned under Sec. 29-13. Sec. 29-19 makes any violation of the chapter a misdemeanor, punishable under Sec. 29-20 by a fine or imprisonment up to the limits in California Government Code Section 36901, and Sec. 29-22 lets the city abate an uncorrected violation itself and bill the property owner for the cost, which can become a lien on the property.