Temecula, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- TMC Ch. 8.28, Stormwater and Urban Runoff
- Enforcing office
- City Engineer under the city's NPDES MS4 permit
- Regulator
- San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board
- SSMP/WQMP trigger
- 1+ acre disturbed or 5,000+ sq ft redevelopment
- Co-permittees
- Riverside County, its flood control district, Murrieta
- Illicit connection liability
- Strict liability, intent not required
Summary
Temecula bans any discharge other than stormwater into its storm drain system under Municipal Code § 8.28.200, covering everything from gas-station wash water and swimming-pool backwash to pet waste, sediment, and irrigation runoff. The city engineer administers the program under the city's NPDES MS4 permit, and violations can trigger permit revocation, nuisance abatement, and misdemeanor prosecution.
The following discharges are prohibited: 1. Discharges into and from MS4s in a manner causing, or threatening to cause, a condition of pollution, contamination, or nuisance (as defined in CWC Section 13050), in receiving waters within the city; ... 6. Wash water from hosing or cleaning gas stations, vehicle maintenance facilities, or other related services; ... 13. Swimming pool and other non-potable water containing chlorine, biocides, chemicals, filter or acid backwash, or other pollutants; 14. Sediment, pet waste, and trash; ... 17. Runoff caused by irrigation water.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4862229; v11 updated 2026-04-14).
Full Breakdown
28 of the Municipal Code, implements the city's NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit under the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, which has jurisdiction over the city. Riverside County, the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and the city of Murrieta are named co-permittees. 200 lists seventeen categories of prohibited discharge into the MS4, including gas-station and vehicle-maintenance wash water, mobile detailing and power-washing runoff, construction and industrial pollutants, pet waste, sediment and trash, and irrigation runoff. 210 carves out fourteen exemptions, such as dechlorinated swimming pool water free of biocides, uncontaminated groundwater, footing and foundation drains, and individual residential car washing, unless the city or state board flags it as a pollutant source.
220(C) regardless of a person's negligence or intent. 400). New development, redevelopment adding five thousand square feet or more of impervious surface, and 'one-acre threshold projects' disturbing an acre or more must submit a stormwater or water quality management plan (SSMP/WQMP) and pay a review fee plus a separate inspection fee under Article VII. The city retains a right to inspect, sample, and test discharges at any time under Article VI.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 8.28 is unlawful under § 8.28.310 and prosecuted under Chapters 1.20 and 1.21 of the Municipal Code, plus nuisance abatement under Chapter 8.12. The city engineer can withhold or revoke grading, building, and occupancy permits until a violation is corrected, and repeat violations at industrial or commercial sites can support suspension or revocation of the business's city license under Chapter 5.04.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash my car in my driveway in Temecula?
What triggers a stormwater permit for a construction project?
Who enforces Temecula's storm drain rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Temecula
California rules heatmap·Compare Temecula to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle stormwater management.