Santee, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Chapter 9.06 of the Santee Municipal Code, adopted as the Stormwater Management Ordinance under § 9.06.100, makes it unlawful under § 9.06.200(A) for anyone to cause an illicit discharge, to discharge any material or substance into the stormwater conveyance system that may cause or threaten pollution, contamination, or nuisance under California Water Code § 13050, or to discharge any nonstormwater into that system or the receiving waters at all. Section 9.06.200(B) spells out two specific bans that catch everyday activity: it is unlawful to let irrigation water enter the stormwater system, and unlawful to let wash water from car washing, pavement washing, or similar activities enter it.

The chapter defines the stormwater conveyance system broadly, covering roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, sidewalks, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, manmade channels, and storm drains, and lists the San Diego River, Forester Creek, Woodglen Vista Creek, Sycamore Creek, and Los Colinas Channel among Santee's receiving waters. Property owners along a watercourse have added duties under § 9.06.200(C): keep it free of trash, debris, and obstructions, and get the Director's written permit before discharging into it, modifying its flow, or building any structure in it.

The Director and an enforcement officer administer the program under the City's NPDES permit and can issue notices of violation, cease-and-desist orders, compliance orders, and stop-work orders under § 9.06.320.