High Priority Businesses

The following types of businesses have been identified by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board as being a high threat to water quality. This classification was based on the type of activities performed and materials used for business operations.

• Automobile mechanical repair, maintenance, fueling, or cleaning
• Airplane mechanical repair, maintenance, fueling, or cleaning
• Boat mechanical repair, maintenance, fueling, or cleaning
• Equipment repair, maintenance, fueling, or cleaning
• Automobile and other vehicle body repair or painting
• Mobile automobile or other vehicle washing
• Automobile (or other vehicle) parking lots and storage facilities
• Retail or wholesale fueling
• Pest control services
• Eating or drinking establishments
• Mobile carpet, drape or furniture cleaning
• Cement mixing or cutting
• Masonry
• Painting and coating
• Botanical or zoological gardens and exhibits
• Landscaping
• Nurseries and greenhouses
• Golf courses, parks and other recreational areas/facilities
• Cemeteries
• Pool and fountain cleaning
• Marinas
• Port-a-Potty servicing
• Other commercial activities contributing significant pollutant loads

Businesses classified as High Priority also include businesses that are near:

• An impacted 303(d) Impaired Water Body
• Environmentally sensitive areas

What does being a High Priority Business mean?

Commercial businesses that have a greater potential to contribute to urban runoff pollution are considered a high priority. This designation comes from the types of materials used, wastes generated and housekeeping practices employed in the day-to-day activities of that business sector. However, if a business originally classified as a Low or Medium Priority has poor housekeeping practices and does not implement Best Management Practices to the satisfaction of City Staff, the business may be reclassified as a High Priority.