Yuba County, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited
- Any non-stormwater discharge to storm drains
- Enforcer
- Yuba County Public Works Department
- Criminal penalty
- Up to $2,000 fine, 6 months jail
- Civil penalty
- $500/day, capped $250,000 total
- Applies
- All unincorporated Yuba County
Summary
Yuba County's Stormwater Quality Ordinance makes it unlawful to discharge anything but clean rainwater into the county's storm drains, with fines up to $2,000 and up to six months in jail per violation.
Except as provided in Section 7.50.090 of this Chapter, it is unlawful for any person to make or cause to be made any illicit discharge into the storm drain system. Notwithstanding the exemptions provided by Section 7.50.090, if the Enforcement Agency determines any otherwise exempt discharge causes or significantly contributes to violations of any plan standard, or conveys significant quantities of pollutants to surface water(s) or watercourse(s), or is a danger to public health or safety, such discharge shall be prohibited from entering the storm drain system.
(Prior Code, § 7.50.080; Ord. No. 1443; Ord. No. 1537)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 7.50, the Yuba County Stormwater Quality Ordinance, prohibits illicit discharges, anything besides unpolluted stormwater, such as paint, motor oil, sediment, or wash water, into the county's municipal storm drain system under Section 7.50.080. The Department of Public Works enforces the Chapter across all unincorporated areas, with added construction and development controls inside the Phase II MS4 permit boundary. Violators face a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $2,000 fine and six months in jail, or an infraction up to $500, plus civil penalties of $500 per day capped at $100,000 per violation and $250,000 total, recoverable by County Counsel or the District Attorney.
Violations & Fines
Discharging pollutants to the storm drain system is a misdemeanor: up to $2,000 and six months in jail, or an infraction fine to $500, plus civil penalties of $500 per day up to $250,000 total under § 7.50.200.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an illegal discharge in unincorporated Yuba County?
What happens if I violate the stormwater ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yuba County
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