Turlock, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Ban
- All non-storm discharge to MS4
- Covers
- Wash water, oil, paint, litter
- Leak fix window
- 48 hours to correct
- Adopted
- Ordinance 1199-CS, 2014
- Enforcement
- Misdemeanor under TMC § 1-2-01
Summary
Turlock bans discharging anything but storm water into its municipal storm drain system, covering wash water, pool water, oil, paint, and litter, with violations prosecutable as misdemeanors.
Except as provided in TMC 6-8-202 and 6-8-203, it is unlawful for any person to make or cause to be made any non-storm water discharge. Notwithstanding the exemptions provided by TMC 6-8-202 and the conditional exemptions in TMC 6-8-203, if the Regional Water Board or the Enforcement Official determines that any otherwise exempt discharge causes or significantly contributes to violations of any water quality standard, or conveys significant quantities of pollutants to receiving water(s), or is a danger to public health, safety, or welfare, such discharge shall be prohibited from entering the MS4. No person shall discharge, permit to be discharged, or cause to be discharged any materials, including but not limited to pollutants or waters containing any pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards into any part of the MS4 or any part of a receiving water.
(a)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4937289; v6 updated 2026-06-25).
Full Breakdown
Turlock Municipal Code § 6-8-201 makes it unlawful to discharge or cause to be discharged any non-storm water into the City's municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) or a receiving water, except for narrowly listed exemptions in TMC §§ 6-8-202 and 6-8-203. Chapter 6-8 specifically bans discharges such as wash water from gas stations and auto repair, mobile car and carpet washing, swimming pool or fountain water, concrete truck washout, and pesticide runoff. Property and business owners must also control runoff from paved lots and detect and correct irrigation leaks within 48 hours under TMC Chapter 6-8. The chapter, adopted by Ordinance 1199-CS in 2014, is enforced through the City's general penalty provision, TMC § 1-2-01.
Violations & Fines
Any prohibited discharge into the MS4 can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor under TMC § 1-2-01; the City can also issue cleanup, abatement, and cease-and-desist orders under Chapter 6-8's administrative enforcement provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hose driveway wash water into the street in Turlock?
What happens if I dump oil or paint down a Turlock storm drain?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Turlock
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle stormwater management.