San Ramon, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

An illicit discharge is defined under federal Clean Water Act 40 CFR 122.26 and the state MS4 NPDES permit (MRP 3.0) as any discharge to a municipal storm drain system that is not composed entirely of stormwater — with limited exceptions for allowable discharges like dechlorinated residential water, irrigation runoff from properly-managed landscapes, and emergency firefighting. San Ramon, through the Contra Costa Clean Water Program (CCCWP), implements an Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) program: staff conduct dry-weather outfall inspections, respond to complaints, and trace discharges back to sources. Common illicit discharges include: restaurant kitchen cleaning water containing grease, auto shop degreasers and solvents, mobile car detailers' runoff, concrete truck washout, sanitary sewer overflows from damaged laterals, carpet cleaner wastewater, pressure washing wastewater containing chemicals, dumpster leachate, and pet waste runoff from poorly-managed kennels. Private sewer lateral (PSL) defects discharging raw sewage to storm drains are a priority enforcement target; Central San requires PSL compliance certificates at property transfer. Penalties escalate from notice of violation, administrative fines ($100–$5,000 per violation), to Water Code Section 13385 civil penalties up to $10,000 per day for willful or repeat violations. Spill reporting is mandatory: large spills must be reported to the State Office of Emergency Services within 24 hours. Hazardous material spills require immediate 911 response.