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Truckee, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing ordinance
TMC Title 11, Stormwater Quality Ordinance
Permit basis
Order No. 2013-0001-DWQ, NPDES No. CAS000004
Cease-and-desist deadline
72 hours after a Notice of Violation
Remediation deadline
30 days after a Notice of Violation
Appeal window
21 days under § 1.03.060
Enforcing office
Town Manager / Code Compliance

Summary

Truckee's Stormwater Quality Ordinance bans discharging anything other than stormwater into the Town's storm drain system or any watercourse unless a separate NPDES permit or listed exemption applies. The rule implements the Town's own MS4 permit and is enforced with notices of violation, mandatory cleanup deadlines, and civil or criminal penalties.

No person shall: A.Discharge, permit to be discharged, or cause to be discharged, any non-stormwater into any part of the MS4 or into any part of a watercourse except in compliance with the requirements of this chapter and in compliance with any separate individual or general NPDES permit, except as provided by the exemptions in Section 11.03.020 of this chapter;

Full Breakdown

Title 11 was adopted so the Town could comply with State Water Resources Control Board Order No. 2013-0001-DWQ, which doubles as its NPDES permit (No. CAS000004) under the federal Clean Water Act. 010 prohibits discharging non-stormwater into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) or a watercourse, causing or allowing an illicit discharge, and discharging anything that could cause pollution under California Water Code Section 13050. 020 exempts activities like water line flushing, incidental landscape irrigation runoff, individual car washing, and firefighting flows, but the Town Manager can revoke that exemption for a specific discharge found to be a significant pollutant source.

030, even ones built before the ordinance existed. 120 of the code. A violation is also declared a public nuisance under Government Code Section 38771. 060 before it becomes final.

Violations & Fines

Discharging in violation of Section 11.02.010 can draw a Notice of Violation ordering cessation within 72 hours and remediation within 30 days, administrative fines under Section 1.03.120, and civil nuisance abatement under Government Code Section 38771. Section 11.06.050 also makes it a violation to cause, permit, aid, abet, or conceal someone else's violation of the title.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can't I discharge into a Truckee storm drain?
Anything that is not stormwater, unless it fits an exemption in Section 11.02.020, such as incidental irrigation runoff, water line flushing, or dechlorinated pool water. Section 11.02.010 bans non-stormwater discharges, illicit discharges, and anything that would cause pollution under Water Code Section 13050.
Can Truckee revoke an exempt discharge like pool draining?
Yes. Section 11.02.020(B) lets the Town Manager prohibit, limit, or control an otherwise exempt discharge if it is found to be a significant source of pollutants or threatens water quality standards, even for activities listed as normally exempt.
How fast do I have to fix a stormwater violation once notified?
A Notice of Violation under Section 11.06.020 can require violating discharges to cease within 72 hours, and can set a remediation and restoration deadline of no later than 30 days from notification, backed by administrative fines and a possible civil nuisance action.

Sources & Official References

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