Watsonville, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Section 6-3.525 of the Watsonville Municipal Code prohibits any non-storm water discharge to the City storm water sewer system unless it is in compliance with an NPDES permit. Two exceptions follow. Subsection (a) covers NPDES permitted non-storm water discharges and discharges that are not sources of pollutants to waters of the State, as described in 40 CFR 122.26(d)(2)(iv)(B)(1), provided the discharger is in full compliance with applicable laws or regulations. Subsection (b) lists activities not treated as a source of pollutants when properly managed in a manner satisfactory to the Director: water line flushing and other discharges from potable water sources, landscape irrigation and lawn watering, irrigation water, diverted stream flows, rising ground water, uncontaminated pumped ground water, foundation and footing drains, water from crawl space pumps, air conditioning condensation, springs, individual residential car washing, flows from riparian habitats and wetlands, and flows from fire fighting activities.

The rest of the article builds on that prohibition. Section 6-3.526 makes any illicit drainage or illicit connection unlawful and expressly retroactive, even for connections made under a permit or lawful at the time. Section 6-3.527 requires anyone whose activities will or may send pollutants into the system to implement the best management practices necessary to reduce them, and § 6-3.528 makes property owners responsible for BMPs the Director requires. Section 6-3.529 requires any required NPDES storm water permit first and lets the Director demand notices of intent, pollution prevention plans, inspection reports and monitoring results. Section 6-3.530 obliges owners of property with a watercourse to keep it reasonably free of trash and debris and bars discharges, flow changes and development in a watercourse setback without a Director permit. Section 6-3.531 requires immediate notice of a prohibited release, followed within five working days by a written statement. Every grading or building permit application needs an erosion and sediment control plan under § 6-3.532, and § 6-3.533 lets the Director issue a stop work order.