Santa Maria, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- SMMC Chapter 8-12A
- Enforcing official
- Director of Utilities
- Spill report deadline
- 5:00 p.m. next business day
- Spill contact
- 805-928-3781 ext. 277
- Violation classification
- Misdemeanor and public nuisance
- Adopted
- Ord. 2009-20, effective 10/15/09
Summary
Santa Maria bans any non-storm water discharge to public or private property and requires storm water discharges to conform with the City's Phase II MS4 permit and Central Coast post-construction standards. The Director of Utilities enforces Chapter 8-12A, can order corrective Best Management Practices, and treats violations as a misdemeanor and public nuisance subject to abatement.
Discharges prohibited. No person shall commence or continue, and no responsible party shall permit, any direct or indirect non-storm water discharge to public or private property. Moreover, no person shall commence or continue, and no responsible party shall permit, any discharge of storm water unless the discharge is in conformance with each of the following: (1) This Code; (2) The terms of the State of California Department of Water Resources Phase II Small MS4 General Permit; (3) The terms of Post-Construction Stormwater Management Requirements for Development Projects in the Central Coast Region dated July 12, 2013, as modified by approved Alternative Compliance; (4) The terms of a permit or other approval given by the City of Santa Maria under authority of subsections (i) through (iii), above.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4818069; v9 updated 2026-04-07).
Full Breakdown
06 separately bars throwing or leaving refuse, rubbish, garbage or litter on public or private property, or letting a leaking dumpster or waste bin contribute pollutants to the storm drain system. org or the Utilities Department and post them at the site. New development and redevelopment projects must control the volume, rate and pollutant load of runoff. the next business day, followed by written confirmation within three days. 14 requiring monitoring, elimination of illicit connections, or other corrective steps.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 8-12A is deemed a public nuisance subject to abatement and a misdemeanor under Section 8-12A.15. The Director of Utilities may issue a written Notice of Violation under Section 8-12A.14 ordering monitoring, elimination of illicit connections, or other corrective action, and may seek a court order if a responsible party refuses to allow inspection under Section 8-12A.12. Missing the 5 p.m. next-business-day spill notification deadline is itself a violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash my car in my driveway in Santa Maria?
Who do I call if I see something being dumped into a Santa Maria storm drain?
What happens if a business violates Santa Maria's storm water ordinance?
Does new construction in Santa Maria have to control storm water runoff?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Maria
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Maria to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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