There are multiple laws on federal, state and local levels that regulate storm water pollution and discharges.

Federal

The Federal Clean Water Act, passed in 1977, is the basis for our water quality laws today. Sections 401 and 402, (77 KB) added in 1987, require all states and cities to implement storm water programs to reduce the impact of urban runoff and storm water pollution on local waterbodies.

California State

California’s primary law granting the authority to implement storm water regulations is the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. This law allowed our California Environmental Protection Agency to create the State Water Resources Control Board and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards.

San Diego Regional

The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board issued new regulations concerning storm water discharges in February of 2001, affecting all industrial and commercial businesses, construction sites, residents and municipal agencies. These new Municipal Storm Water Discharge Requirements have become the basis for the City of Oceanside’s local ordinances.

The Hydrostatic Test and Potable Water Discharge Permit (R9 2002-0020) issued by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board August of 2002, affects developers, municipalities, water purveyors and contractors. Attached is a copy of the permit (1.8 MB) and a copy of the Best Management Practices Field Manual (589 KB).

Aquatic pesticides users are required to obtain a discharge permit from the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, under the Order 2001-160 (59 KB).

City of Oceanside

Chapter 40 (296 KB) is the City of Oceanside’s Storm Water Ordinance. Listed in this ordinance you will find all of the discharges prohibited and exempted from entering the municipal storm drain system.

81-20 (148 KB) is the City of Oceanside’s Grading Ordinance, listing the requirements for obtaining grading permits.

Grading Ordinance 82-43 (148 KB) requires an erosion-control security deposit to ensure adequate Best Management Practices are implemented to control erosion and sedimentation from construction sites.

Grading Ordinance 82-15 (148 KB) details the Best Management Practices developers must implement at construction sites.

Chapter 17 (96 KB) now includes the discharging of pollutants into a storm drain as a public nuisance.

Section 402 of the Subdivision Ordinance (77 KB) details the specific requirements new developments must implement to meet Chapter 40 guidelines.