ORD 318 ORDINANCE NO. 318
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES REGULATING STORM
WATER AND URBAN RUNOFF POLLUTION AND
AMENDING THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL
CODE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: Title 13 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code is hereby
amended by adding a new Chapter 13.10 thereto to read as follows:
CHAPTER 13.10
Storm Water and Urban Runoff Pollution Control
Sections:
13.10.010 Findings.
13.10.020 Purpose.
13.10.030 Definitions.
13.10.040 Prohibited activities.
13.10.050 Requirements for existing properties-Good Housekeeping
provisions.
13.10.060 Requirements for Industrial/Commercial and Construction
Activities.
13.10.070 Enforcement.
13.10.080 Conflicts with other code sections.
13.10.010 Findings.
A. The Congress of the United States (hereinafter "Congress") has
determined that pollutants contained in storm water and urban runoff are responsible
for the environmental degradation of oceans, lakes, rivers, and other waters of the
United States.
B. Congress, in 1987, amended the Clean Water Act of 1972 to
reduce pollutants discharged into the waters of the United States by extending National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (hereinafter "NPDES") requirements to regulate
storm water and urban runoff discharge into municipal storm drain systems.
C. Storm water and urban runoff flows from individual properties onto
streets, then through storm drains to coastal waters along the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes.
D. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is a co-permittee under the
"Waste Discharge Requirements for Municipal Storm Water and Urban Runoff
Discharges within the County of Los Angeles," issued by the California Regional Water
Quality Control Board-Los Angeles Region," which also serves as a NPDES Permit
under the Federal Clean Water Act and as a co-permittee, the City is required to
implement procedures with respect to the entry of non-storm water discharges into the
Municipal Storm Water System.
E. In order to control, in a cost-effective manner, the quantity and
quality of storm water and urban runoff to the maximum extent practicable, the adoption
of reasonable regulations, as set forth herein, is essential.
13.10.020 - Purpose.
The purpose of this Chapter is to ensure the future health, safety and
general welfare of the citizens of the City and the water quality of the Santa Monica Bay
and surrounding coastal areas by:
A. Reducing pollutants in storm water discharges to the maximum
extent practicable;
B. Regulating illicit connections and illicit discharges and thereby
reducing the level of contamination of storm water and urban runoff into the Municipal
Storm Water System; and
C. Regulating non-storm water discharges to the Municipal Storm
Water System.
The intent of this Chapter is to protect and enhance the quality of
watercourses, water bodies, and wetlands within the City in a manner consistent with
the federal Clean Water Act and the NPDES Permit.
This Chapter is also intended to provide the City with the legal authority
necessary to control discharges to and from those portions of the Municipal Storm
Water System over which it has jurisdiction as required by the Municipal NPDES
Permit.
13.10.030 - Definitions.
Except as specifically provided herein, any term used in this Chapter shall
have the same meaning as that term is defined in the Municipal NPDES Permit, or if it
is not specifically defined in the Municipal NPDES Permit, than as such term is defined
in the federal Clean Water Act, as amended, and/or the regulations promulgated
thereunder. The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings when
used in this Chapter:
A. "Area susceptible to runoff' means any surface directly exposed to
precipitation or in the path of runoff caused by precipitation which path leads off the
parcel on which the surface is located.
ORDINANCE NO. 318
Page 2
B. "Authorized enforcement officer" means the Director of the Department of
Public Works on his or her designee.
C. "Best Management Practices (BMP's)" means activities, practices,
facilities, and/or procedures that when implemented to their maximum efficiency will
prevent or reduce pollutants in discharges. Examples of BMP's may include public
education and outreach, proper planning of development projects, proper cleaning of
catch basin inlets, and proper sludge- or waste-handling and disposal, among others.
D. "City" means the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
E. "Good Housekeeping Practices" means common practices related to the
storage, use, or cleanup of materials, performed in a manner that minimizes the
discharge of pollutants. Examples include, but are not limited to, purchasing only the
quantity of materials to be used at a given time, use of alternative and less
environmentally harmful products, cleaning up spills and leaks, and storing materials in
a manner that will contain any leaks or spills.
F. "Illicit Connection" means any man-made conveyance that is connected to
the storm drain system without a permit, excluding gutters, roof-drains and other similar
connections. Examples include channels, pipelines, conduits, inlets, or outlets that are
connected directly to the storm drain system.
G. "Illicit Discharge" means any discharge to the storm drain system that is
prohibited under local, state or federal statutes, ordinances, codes or regulations. This
includes all non-storm water discharges except discharges pursuant to a separate
NPDES permit and discharges that are exempted or conditionally exempted in
accordance with the Municipal NPDES Permit.
H. "Material" means any substance including, but not limited to: garbage
and debris; lawn clippings, leaves, and other vegetation; biological and fecal waste;
sediment and sludge; oil and grease; gasoline; paints, solvents, cleaners, and any fluid
or solid containing chemicals.
I. "Municipal NPDES Permit" means the "Waste Discharge Requirements
for Municipal Storm Water and Urban Runoff Discharges Within the County of Los
Angeles", issued by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board-Los Angeles
Region, and any successor permit to that permit.
J. "Municipal Storm Water System" means streets, gutters, conduits, natural
or artificial drains, channels and watercourses, or other facilities that are owned,
operated, maintained or controlled by the City and used for the purpose of collecting,
storing, transporting, or disposing of storm water.
K. "Non-Storm Water Discharge" means any discharge to a Municipal Storm
Water System that is not composed entirely of storm water.
ORDINANCE NO. 318
Page 3
L. "NPDES permit" means any waste discharge requirements issued by the
California Regional Water Quality Control Board-Los Angeles Region or the State
Water Resources Control Board as an NPDES Permit pursuant to Water Code §§
13370.
M. "Pollutant" means those "pollutants" defined in Section 502(6) of the
federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1362(6)), or incorporated into California Water
Code § 13373. Examples of pollutants include, but are not limited to the following:
-Commercial and industrial waste (such as fuels, solvents, detergents,
plastic pellets, hazardous substances, fertilizers, pesticides, slag, ash, and sludge);
-Metals such as cadmium, lead, zinc, copper, silver, nickel, chromium;
and non-metals such as phosphorus and arsenic;
-Petroleum hydrocarbons (such as fuels, lubricants, surfactants, waste
oils, solvents, coolants and grease);
-Excessive eroded soils, sediment and particulate materials in amounts
which may adversely affect the beneficial use of the receiving waters, flora or fauna of
the State;
-Animal wastes (such as discharge from confinement facilities, kennels,
pens, recreational facilities, stables, and show facilities);
-Substances having characteristics such as pH less than 6 or greater than
9, or unusual coloration or turbidity, or excessive levels of fecal coliform, or fecal
streptococcus, or enterococcus;
The term "Pollutant" shall not include uncontaminated storm water, potable water
or reclaimed water generated by a lawfully permitted water treatment facility.
The term "Pollutant" also shall not include any substance identified in this
definition, if through compliance with the Best Management Practices available, the
discharge of such substance has been reduced or eliminated to the maximum extent
practicable. In an enforcement action, the burden shall be on the person who is the
subject of such action to establish the reduction or elimination of the discharge to the
maximum extent practicable through compliance with the Best Management Practices
available.
N. "Regional Board" means the California Regional Water Quality Control
Board-Los Angeles Region.
0. "Storm Water Runoff' means that part of precipitation (rainfall) which
travels via flow across a surface to the storm drain system or receiving waters from
impervious, semi-pervious or pervious surfaces. When all other factors are equal,
runoff increases as the perviousness of a surface decreases.
ORDINANCE NO. 318
Page 4
P. "Urban runoff' means surface water flow produced by non-storm water
resulting from residential, commercial, and industrial activities involving the use of
potable and non-potable water.
13.10.040 - Prohibited Activities.
A. Illicit Discharges and Connections.
It is prohibited to establish, use, maintain, or continue Illicit Connections
to the Municipal Storm Water System, or to commence or continue any Illicit
Discharges to the municipal storm water system. This prohibition against Illicit
Connections is expressly retroactive and applies to connections made in the past but
excludes improvements to real property permitted pursuant to Titles 15-17 of this Code
over which uncontaminated storm water runoff flows.
B. Littering.
No person shall throw, deposit, place, leave, maintain, keep, or permit to
be thrown, deposited, placed, left, or maintained or kept, any refuse, rubbish, garbage,
or any other discarded or abandoned objects, articles or accumulations, in or upon any
street, alley, sidewalk, storm drain, inlet, catch basin conduit or drainage structure,
business place, or upon any or private plot of land in the City, so that the same might
be or become a pollutant. This subsection shall not apply to refuse, rubbish or garbage
deposited in containers, bags or other appropriate receptacles which are placed in
designated locations for regular solid waste pick up and disposal.
C. Disposal of Landscape Debris.
No person shall intentionally dispose of leaves, dirt, or other landscape
debris into the City's storm drain system.
D. Industrial Activities.
No person shall conduct any industrial activity in the City without
obtaining all permits required by state or federal law, including a NPDES General
Industrial Activity Storm Water Permit when required. Persons conducting industrial
activities within the City shall refer to the most recent edition of the
Industrial/Commercial Best Management Practices Handbook, produced and published
by the Storm Water Quality Task Force, for specific guidance on selecting best
management practices for reducing pollutants in storm water discharges from industrial
activities.
E. Non-Storm Water Discharges.
1. The following Non-Storm Water Discharges into the Municipal
Storm Water System are prohibited unless in compliance with a separate NPDES
ORDINANCE NO. 318
Page 5
permit or pursuant to a discharge exemption by the Regional Board, the Regional
Board's Executive Officer, or the State Water Resources Control Board:
a. The discharge of untreated wash waters when gas stations,
auto repair garages, or similar facilities are cleaned;
b. The discharge of untreated wastewater from mobile auto
washing, steam cleaning, mobile carpet cleaning, and other such mobile commercial
and industrial operations but excludes such operations which are neither industrial nor
commercial in character;
c. To the maximum extent practicable, discharges to the
Municipal Storm Water System from areas where repair of machinery and equipment,
including motor vehicles, which are visibly leaking oil, fluid or antifreeze, is undertaken;
d. Discharges of untreated runoff from areas where materials
containing grease, oil, or other hazardous substances (e.g., motor vehicle parts) are
stored, and discharges from uncovered receptacles containing hazardous materials;
e. Commercial discharges of swimming pool filter backwash;
f. Discharges of untreated runoff from the washing of toxic
materials from paved or unpaved areas which results in a discharge to the Municipal
Storm Water System; provided, however, that non-industrial and non-commercial
activities which incidentally generate urban runoff, such as the hosing of sidewalks, and
the non-commercial hand-washing of cars, shall be excluded from this prohibition.
g. To the maximum extent practicable, discharges to the
Municipal Storm Water System from washing impervious surfaces in
industrial/commercial areas which results in a discharge of untreated runoff to the
municipal storm water system, unless specifically required by State or the City's of Los
Angeles County's health and safety codes or permitted under a separate NPDES
permit;
h. Discharges from the washing out of concrete trucks into the
Municipal Storm Water System;
i. Discharges to the Municipal Storm Water System of any
pesticide, fungicide, or herbicide, banned by the USEPA or the California Department
of Pesticide Regulation; and
j. The disposal of hazardous wastes into trash containers
which causes a direct or indirect discharge to the municipal storm water system.
2. Discharges from those activities specifically identified in, or
pursuant to, Part 2, Section II.0 of the Municipal NPDES Permit as being Exempted
Discharges, Conditionally Exempted Discharges, or Designated Discharges shall not
ORDINANCE NO. 318
Page 6
be considered a violation of this Chapter, provided that any applicable BMP's
developed pursuant to the Municipal NPDES Permit are implemented to minimize any
adverse impacts from such identified sources.
F. Discharges in Violation of the Municipal NPDES Permit.
Any discharge that would result in or contribute to a violation of the
Municipal NPDES Permit, either separately or in combination with other discharges, is
prohibited. Liability for any such discharge shall be the responsibility of the person(s)
causing or responsible for the discharge, and such person(s) shall defend, indemnify
and hold harmless the City from all losses, liabilities, claims, or causes of actions in any
administrative or judicial action relating to such discharge.
13.10.050 - Requirements for existing properties -- Good housekeeping provisions.
Owners and occupants of property within the City shall comply with the
following requirements:
A. Septic Waste. No person shall leave, deposit, discharge, dump, or
otherwise expose any chemical or septic waste to precipitation in an area where
discharge to City streets or storm drains system may or does occur.
B. Use of Water. Runoff of water used for irrigation purposes shall be
minimized to the maximum extent practicable. Runoff of water from the permitted
washing down of paved areas shall be minimized to the maximum extent practicable.
Sweeping and collection of debris is encouraged for trash disposal.
C. Storage of Materials, Machinery, and Equipment. Machinery or
equipment that is to be repaired or maintained in areas susceptible to or exposed to
storm water, shall be placed in a manner so that pollutants are not discharged to the
municipal storm water system.
D. Removal and Disposal of Debris and Residue and Other Materials.
1. Non-residential motor vehicle parking lots with more than twenty-
five parking spaces that generate runoff shall be swept regularly or other equally
effective measures will be utilized to remove debris from such parking lots.
2. Food wastes generated by non-residential food service and food
distribution sources shall be disposed of in a manner so such wastes are not
discharged to the municipal storm water system.
3. Best Management Practices shall be used in areas exposed to
storm water for the removal and lawful disposal of all fuels, chemicals, fuel and
chemical wastes, animal wastes, garbage, batteries, or other materials which have
potential adverse impacts on water quality.
ORDINANCE NO. 318
Page 7
13.10.060 - Requirements for Industrial/Commercial and Construction Activities.
Each industrial discharger, discharger associated with construction
activity, or other discharger described in any general storm water permit addressing
such discharges, as may be granted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the
State Water Resources Control Board, or the Regional Board shall comply with all
requirements of such permit. Each discharger identified in an individual NPDES Permit
shall comply with and undertake all activities required by such permit. Proof of
compliance with any such permit may be required in a form acceptable to the Director
of the Department of Public Works, or the Director's designated representative, prior to
the issuance of any grading, building or occupancy permits, or any other type of permit
or licensed issued by the City.
13.10.070 - Enforcement.
A. Violations Deemed a Public Nuisance.
1. Any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any
of the provisions of this Chapter is hereby determined to be a threat to the public
health, safety and welfare, is declared and deemed a public nuisance, may be
summarily abated or restored by any authorized enforcement officer, and/or civil or
criminal action to abate, enjoin or otherwise compel the cessation of such nuisance
may be taken by the City Attorney.
2. The cost of such abatement and restoration shall be borne
by the owner of the property and the cost thereof shall be invoiced to the owner of the
property, as provided by law or ordinance for the recovery of nuisance abatement
costs.
3. If any violation of this Chapter constitutes a seasonal and
recurrent nuisance, the Director of Public Works shall so declare. The failure of any
person to take appropriate annual precautions to prevent stormwaste pollution after
written notice of a determination under this paragraph shall constitute a public nuisance
and a violation of this Chapter.
B. Concealment.
Causing, permitting, aiding, abetting, or concealing a violation of any
provision of this Chapter shall constitute a violation of such provision.
C. Civil Actions.
In addition to any other remedies provided in this section, any violation of
this section may be enforced by civil action brought by the City. In any such action, the
City may seek, and the Court shall grant, as appropriate, any or all of the following
remedies:
ORDINANCE NO. 318
Page 8
1. A temporary and/or permanent injunction.
2. Assessment of the violator for the costs of any investigation,
inspection, or monitoring survey which led to the
establishment of the violation, and for the reasonable costs
of preparing and bringing legal action under this subsection.
3. Costs incurred in removing, correcting, or terminating the
adverse effects resulting from violation.
4. Compensatory damages for loss or destruction to water
quality, wildlife, fish and aquatic life.
D. Administrative Enforcement Powers.
In addition to the other enforcement powers and remedies established by
this chapter, any authorized enforcement officer has the authority to utilize the following
administrative remedies:
1. Cease and Desist Orders. When an authorized
enforcement officer finds that a discharge has taken place or is likely to take place in
violation of this Chapter, the officer may issue an order to cease and desist such
discharge, or practice, or operation likely to cause such discharge and direct that those
persons not complying shall: (a) comply with the requirement, (b) comply with a time
schedule for compliance, and (c) take appropriate remedial or preventive action to
prevent the violation from recurring.
2. Notice to Clean. Whenever an authorized enforcement
officer finds any oil, earth, debris, grass, weeds, dead trees, tin cans, rubbish, refuse,
waste or any other material of any kind, in or upon the sidewalk abutting or adjoining
any parcel of land, or upon any parcel of land or grounds, which may result in
pollutants entering the Municipal Storm Drain System or a non-storm water discharge
to the Storm Drain System, he or she may give notice to the owner or occupant of the
adjacent property to remove such oil, earth, debris, grass, weeds, dead trees, tin cans,
rubbish, refuse, waste or other material, in any manner that he or she may reasonably
provide. The recipient of such notice shall undertake the activities as described in the
notice.
E. Penalties.
Violation of this Section shall be punishable as provided in Section
1.08.010 of this Code. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate
offense.
ORDINANCE NO. 318
Page 9
F. Permit Revocation.
To the extent the City makes a provision of this Chapter or any identified
BMP a condition of approval to the issuance of a permit or license, any person in
violation of such condition is subject to the permit revocation procedures set forth in
this Code.
G. Remedies.
Remedies under this Chapter are in addition to and do not supersede or
limit any and all other remedies, civil or criminal. The remedies provided for herein
shall be cumulative and not exclusive.
Section 2. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, portion, or phrase of this
Ordinance is for any reason is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of
any court of any competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, portions, or phrases of this
Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance
and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause, portion, or phrase without
regard to whether any other section,subsection, sentence, clause, portion, or phrase of
the Ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 1st day of October ,
1996.
ayor
ATTEST:
411/ /
Cif Clerk
State of California )
County of Los Angeles )SS
City of Rancho Palos Verdes )
I, JO PURCELL, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, do hereby certify
that the whole number of members of the City Council of said City is five; that the
foregoing Ordinance, being Ordinance No. 318, passed first reading on September 17,
1996 was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of said City at a regular
meeting thereof held on October 1, 1996 and that the same was passed and adopted
by the following roll call vote:
ORDINANCE NO. 318
Page 10
AYES: McTAGGART, BYRD, FERRARO, HOLLINGSWORTH AND
MAYOR LYON
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
C I T LERK
ORDINANCE NO. 318
Page 11
ORD. NO. 318
liti'4171111s1, 1
RANCHO PALOS VERDES
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
The undersigned, being first duly sworn, deposes and
says:
That at all times herein mentioned, she was and now is
the appointed City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes;
That on , October 3, 1996 , she caused to be
posted the following document entitled:
REGULATING STORM WATER AND URBAN RUNOFF POLLUTION AND
AMENDING THE RANCHO PALO'S VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE
a copy of which is attached hereto, in the following
locations:
City Hall Los Angeles County Fire Station
30940 Hawthorne Blvd. Miraleste Station
Rancho Palos Verdes 4000 Miraleste Plaza
Rancho Palos Verdes
U. S. Post Office
28649 S. Western Ave. Ladera Linda Community Center
Rancho Palos Verdes 32201 Forrestal Drive
Rancho Palos Verdes
Hesse Park
29301 Hawthorne Blvd. Rancho Palos Verdes Park
Rancho Palos Verdes 30359 Hawthorne Blvd . ,
Rancho Palos Verdes
I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is a
true and correct affidavit of posting .
(l) 4/2 s
tCrikt CLERK
30940 HAWTHORNE BOULEVARD ! RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA 90274.5391 i (213) 377.0360