RPVCCA_CC_SR_2015_04_21_F_Ordinance_565_Low_Impact_DevelopmentMEMORANDUM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: MICHAEL THRONE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR b
DATE: APRIL 21, 2015
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 565 - LOW IMPACT
DEVELOPMENT
REVIEWED: DOUG WILLMORE, CITY MANAGER (/1 l
Project Manager: Andy Winje, Senior Engineer APJ
RECOMMENDATION
ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 565, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE
CHAPTER 13.10, TO EXPAND THE APPLICABILITY OF THE EXISTING STORM
WATER AND URBAN RUNOFF POLLUTION CONTROL BY IMPOSING RAINWATER
LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID) STRATEGIES ON PROJECTS THAT REQUIRE
BUILDING, GRADING AND ENCROACHMENT PERMITS.
BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION
On April 7, 2015, the City Council introduced Ordinance No. 565, a proposed code
amendment to amend Municipal Code Section 13.10 (STORM WATER AND URBAN
RUNOFF POLLUTION CONTROL) to expand the applicability of the existing code by
imposing rainwater Low Impact Development strategies on certain qualifying projects
requiring building, grading and encroachment permits. An ordinance to this effect is a
requirement of the City's response to the 2012 Stormwater Quality (MS4) Permit. To
that end, Staff now presents Ordinance No. 565 for its second reading and adoption.
The ordinance will go into effect on May 21, 2015.
Attachment: Ordinance No. 565 (page 2)
ORDINANCE NO. 565
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING RANCHO PALOS
VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 13.10 (STORM
WATER AND URBAN RUNOFF POLLUTION CONTROL),
TO INCLUDE LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT
REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL REVISIONS
PURSUANT TO THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MUNICIPAL SEPARATE
STORM SEWER SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the City is authorized by Article XI, Section 5 and Section 7 of
the State Constitution to exercise the police power of the State by adopting regulations to
promote public health, public safety and general prosperity; and
WHEREAS, the federal Clean Water Act establishes Regional Water
Quality Control Boards in order to prohibit the discharge of pollutants in stormwater runoff
to waters of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the City is a permittee under the California Regional Water
Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region Order No. R4-2012-0175, issued on
November 08, 2012 which establishes Waste Discharge Requirements for Municipal
Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Discharges within the Coastal Watersheds of Los
Angeles County, Except those Discharges Originating from the City of Long Beach MS4;
and
WHEREAS, Order No. R4-2012-0175 contains requirements for
municipalities to establish an LID Ordinance in order to participate in a Watershed
Management Program and/or Enhanced Watershed Management Program; and
WHEREAS, the Regional Board has adopted Total Maximum Daily Loads
(TMDLs) for pollutants which are numerical limits that must be achieved effectively
through LID implementation; and
WHEREAS, the City has the authority under the California Water Code to
adopt and enforce ordinances imposing conditions, restrictions and limitations with
respect to any activity that might degrade waters of the State; and
WHEREAS, the City is committed to a stormwater management program
that protects water quality and water supply by employing watershed -based approaches
that balance environmental and economic considerations; and
WHEREAS, urbanization has led to increased impervious surface areas
resulting in increased water runoff and less percolation to groundwater aquifers causing
the transport of pollutants to downstream receiving waters; and
WHEREAS, is it the intent of the City to expand the applicability of the
existing LID requirements by providing stormwater and rainwater LID strategies for all
projects for Development and Redevelopment projects where technically feasible, as
defined herein.
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NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby finds, in the exercise of its independent
judgment and analysis, that this Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental
Quality Act ("CEQA") because the Low Impact Development requirements for new
development and redevelopment projects of this Ordinance will not have a significant
effect on the environment, and the adoption of this Ordinance and the timing thereof is
mandated by the action of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board
("LARWQCB"). In this case, the City is acting at the direction of the LARWQCB and
federal law to protect, maintain, restore and enhance natural resources and the
environment. To comply with the requirements of the LARWQCB, the City Council finds
that the adoption of this Ordinance is categorically exempt from the requirements of the
California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections
15307 and 15308. Furthermore, this Ordinance will have no possible significant effect on
the environment, given that the provisions of this Ordinance provides similar regulations
as currently exist and will not in and of themselves cause any change in the environment.
Staff is hereby directed to prepare and post a notice of exemption pursuant to Guidelines
Section 15062.
SECTION 2. Section 13.10.010 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code
entitled "Findings" is hereby repealed in its entirety and shall be replaced with the
following:
"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 Municipal
NPDES Permit 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.
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SECTION 3. Section 13.10.020 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code
entitled "Purpose" is hereby repealed in its entirety and shall be replaced with the
following:
"13.10.020 — Purpose.
A. 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:
1. Reducing pollutants in storm water discharges to the maximum extent
practicable;
2. 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
3. Regulating non -storm water discharges to the municipal storm water
system.
B. This chapter also sets forth requirements for the construction and
operation of certain commercial development, new development and redevelopment
and other projects (as further defined herein) which are intended to ensure compliance
with the storm water mitigation measures prescribed in the current version of the
Municipal NPDES Permit approved by the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los
Angeles Region, and on file in the office of the City clerk.
C. This chapter authorizes the Authorized Enforcement Officer to define and
adopt applicable Best Management Practices and other storm water pollution control
measures and to cite infractions and to impose fines pursuant to this chapter. Except as
otherwise provided herein, the Authorized Enforcement Officer shall administer,
implement and enforce the provisions of this section.
D. 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.
E. 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."
SECTION 4. Section 13.10.030 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code
entitled "Definitions" is hereby repealed in its entirety and shall be replaced with the
following:
"13.10.030 — Definitions.
Except as specifically provided herein, any term used in this chapter shall be
defined as that term is defined in the current municipal NPDES Permit, or if it is not
specifically defined in the municipal NPDES Permit, then as such term is defined in the
Federal Clean Water Act, as amended, and/or the regulations promulgated hereunder.
If the definition of any term contained in the current municipal NPDES Permit conflicts
with the definition contained in this Chapter, then the definition contained in the
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municipal NPDES Permit shall govern. 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.
B. "Authorized Enforcement Officer" means the Director of the
Department of Public Works on his or her designee.
C. "Automotive Service Facility" means a facility that is categorized in any
one of the following Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) and North American
Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. For inspection purposes, Permittees
need not inspect facilities with SIC codes 5013, 5014, 5541, 5511 provided that these
facilities have no outside activities or materials that may be exposed to stormwater.
D. "Basin Plan" means the Water Quality Control Plan, Los Angeles Region,
Basin Plan for the Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, adopted
by the Regional Water Board on June 13, 1994 and subsequent amendments.
E. "Best Management Practices (BMPs)" means practices or physical
devices or systems designed to prevent or reduce pollutant loading from storm water or
non -storm water discharges to receiving waters, or designed to reduce the volume of
storm water or non -storm water discharged to the receiving water. Examples of BMPs
may include, but are not limited to 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.
F. "Biofiltration" means a LID BMP that reduces stormwater pollutant
discharges by intercepting rainfall on vegetative canopy, and through incidental
infiltration and/or evapotranspiration, and filtration. Incidental infiltration is an important
factor in achieving the required pollutant load reduction. Therefore, the term
"biofiltration" as used in this Ordinance is defined to include only systems designed to
facilitate incidental infiltration or achieve the equivalent pollutant reduction as
biofiltration BMPs with an underdrain (subject to approval by the Regional Board's
Executive Officer). Biofiltration BMPs include bioretention systems with an underdrain
and bioswales.
G. "Bioretention" means a LID BMP that reduces stormwater runoff by
intercepting rainfall on vegetative canopy, and through evapotranspiration and
infiltration. The bioretention system typically includes a minimum 2 -foot top layer of a
specified soil and compost mixture underlain by a gravel -filled temporary storage pit dug
into the in-situ soil. As defined in this Ordinance, a bioretention BMP may be designed
with an overflow drain, but may not include an underdrain. When a bioretention BMP is
designed or constructed with an underdrain it is regulated by the NPDES Permit as
biofiltration.
H. "Bioswale" means a LID BMP consisting of a shallow channel lined with
grass or other dense, low -growing vegetation. Bioswales are designed to collect
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stormwater runoff and to achieve a uniform sheet flow through the dense vegetation for
a period of several minutes.
"City" means the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
J. "Clean Water Act (CWA)" means the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
enacted in 1972, by Public Law 92-500, and amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987.
The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants to Waters of the United States
unless the discharge is in accordance with a NPDES Permit.
K. "Commercial Development" means any development on private land
that is not heavy industrial or residential. The category includes, but is not limited to:
hospitals, laboratories and other medical facilities, educational institutions, recreational
facilities, plant nurseries, car wash facilities; mini -malls and other business complexes,
shopping malls, hotels, office buildings, public warehouses and other light industrial
complexes.
L. "Commercial Malls" means any development on private land comprised
of one or more buildings forming a complex of stores which sells various merchandise,
with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from store to store, along
with parking area(s). A commercial mall includes, but is not limited to: mini -malls, strip
malls, other retail complexes, and enclosed shopping malls or shopping centers.
M. "Construction Activity" means any construction or demolition activity,
clearing, grading, grubbing, or excavation or any other activity that result in land
disturbance. Construction does not include emergency construction activities required to
immediately protect public health and safety or routine maintenance activities required
to maintain the integrity of structures by performing minor repair and restoration work,
maintain the original line and grade, hydraulic capacity, or original purposes of the
facility. See "Routine Maintenance" definition for further explanation. Where clearing,
grading or excavating of underlying soil takes place during a repaving operation, State
General Construction Permit coverage by the State of California General Permit for
Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities or for Stormwater
Discharges Associated with Construction Activities is required if more than one acre is
disturbed or the activities are part of a larger plan.
N. "Control" means to minimize, reduce or eliminate by technological, legal,
contractual, or other means, the discharge of pollutants from an activity or activities.
O. "Development" means construction, rehabilitation, redevelopment or
reconstruction of any public or private residential project (whether single-family, multi-
unit or planned unit development); industrial, commercial, retail, and other non-
residential projects, including public agency projects; or mass grading for future
construction. It does not include routine maintenance to maintain original line and grade,
hydraulic capacity, or original purpose of facility, nor does it include emergency
construction activities required to immediately protect public health and safety.
P. "Directly Adjacent" means situated within two hundred feet of the
contiguous zone required for the continued maintenance, function, and structural
stability of the environmentally sensitive area.
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Q. "Director" means the Director of Public Works of the City or the Director's
designee.
R. "Discharge" when used without further qualification of the term means
any release, spill, leak, pump, flow, escape, dumping, or disposal of any liquid, semi-
solid, or solid substance.
S. "Discharge of a Pollutant" means any addition of any pollutant or
combination of pollutants to waters of the United States from any point source, or any
addition of any pollutant or combination of pollutants to the waters of the contiguous
zone or the ocean from any point source other than a vessel or other floating craft that
is being used as a means of transportation. The term "discharge of a pollutant" includes
additions of pollutants into waters of the United States from surface runoff that is
collected or channeled by man; discharges through pipes, sewers, or other
conveyances owned by a state, municipality, or other person that do not lead to a
treatment works; and discharges through pipes, sewers, or other conveyances, leading
into privately owned treatment works.
T. "Discharging Directly" means outflow from a drainage conveyance
system that is composed entirely or predominantly of flows from the subject, property,
development, subdivision, or industrial facility, and not commingled with the flows from
adjacent lands.
U. "Discretionary Project" is defined in the same manner as Section 15357
of the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act
contained in Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, as amended, and means a
project which requires the exercise of judgment or deliberation when the City decides to
approve or disapprove a particular activity, as distinguished from situations where the
City merely has to determine whether there has been conformity with applicable
statutes, ordinances, or regulations.
V. "Disturbed Area" means an area that is altered as a result of clearing,
grading, and/or excavation.
W. "Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA)" means an area in which plant
or animal life or their habitats are either rare or especially valuable because of their
special nature or role in an ecosystem and which would be easily disturbed or degraded
by human activities and developments (California Public Resources Code Section
30107.5). Areas subject to storm water mitigation requirements are areas designated as
significant ecological areas by the county of Los Angeles (Los Angeles County
Significant Areas Study, Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning (1976)
and amendments); an area designated as a significant natural area by the California
Department of Fish and Game's Significant Natural Areas Program provided that area
has been field verified by the Department of Fish and Game; an area listed in the Basin
Plan as supporting the Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species (RARE) beneficial
use; and an area identified by the City as environmentally sensitive as reflected on the
map which is on file in the city's department of planning, building and code enforcement.
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X. "General Construction Activities Storm Water Permit" means the
general NPDES Permit adopted by the State Board which authorizes the discharge of
stormwater from construction activities under certain conditions.
Y. "General Industrial Activities Storm Water Permit" means the general
NPDES Permit adopted by the State Board which authorizes the discharge of
stormwater from certain industrial activities under certain conditions.
Z. "Green Roof" means a LID BMP using planter boxes and vegetation to
intercept rainfall on the roof surface. Rainfall is intercepted by vegetation leaves and
through evapotranspiration. Green roofs may be designed as either a bioretention BMP
or as a biofiltration BMP. To receive credit as a bioretention BMP, the green roof system
planting medium shall be of sufficient depth to provide capacity within the pore space
volume to contain the design storm depth and may not be designed or constructed with
an underdrain.
AA. "Hillside" means a property located in an area with a slope that is 25% or
greater.
BB. "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.
CC. 'Illicit Discharge" means any discharge to the MS4 that is prohibited
under local, state or federal statutes, ordinances, codes or regulations. This includes all
non -storm water discharges, except authorized non -storm water discharges;
conditionally exempt non -storm water discharges; and non -storm water discharges
resulting from natural flows specifically identified in Part III.A. of the Municipal NPDES
Permit.
DD. "Industrial Park" means land development that is set aside for industrial
development. Industrial parks are usually located close to transport facilities, especially
where more than one transport modalities coincide: highways, railroads, airports, and
navigable rivers. It includes office parks, which have offices and light industry.
EE. "Infiltration" means the downward entry of water into the surface of the
soil.
FF. "Low Impact Development (LID)" consists of building and landscape
features designed to retain or filter stormwater runoff.
GG. "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.
HH. "Municipal NPDES Permit" or "MS4 Permit' means the "Waste
Discharge Requirements for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)
Discharges within the Costal Watersheds of Los Angeles County, except those
Discharges Originating from the City of Long Beach MS4" (Order No. R4-2012-0175,
NPDES Permit No. CAS004001), issued on November 08, 2012, issued by the Los
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Angeles Regional California Regional Water Quality Control Board, and any successor
permit to that permit.
II. "Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)" or "Municipal
Storm Water System"" means a conveyance or system of conveyances (including
roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches,
manmade channels, or storm drains):
Owned or operated by a State, city, town, borough, county, parish,
district, association, or other public body (created by or pursuant to
State law) having jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial
wastes, stormwater, or other wastes, including special districts
under State law such as a sewer district, flood control district or
drainage district, or similar entity, or an Indian tribe or an authorized
Indian tribal organization, or a designated and approved
management agency under section 208 of the CWA that
discharges to waters of the United States;
2. Designed or used for collecting or conveying stormwater;
3. That is not a combined sewer; and
4. That is not part of a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) as
defined at 40 C.F.R. Section 122.2. (40 C.F.R. Section
122.26(b)(8)).
JJ. "National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)" means
the national program for issuing, modifying, revoking and reissuing, terminating,
monitoring and enforcing permits, and imposing and enforcing pretreatment
requirements, under CWA Section 307, 402, 318, and 405. The term includes an
"approved program."
KK. "Natural Drainage System" means a drainage system that has not been
improved (e.g., channelized or armored). The clearing or dredging of a natural drainage
system does not cause the system to be classified as an improved drainage system.
LL. "New Development" means land disturbing activities; structural
development, including construction or installation of a building or structure, creation of
impervious surfaces; and land subdivision.
MM. "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 Section
13370.
NN. "Parking Lot" means land area or facility for the parking or storage of
motor vehicles used for businesses, commerce, industry, or personal use, with a lot size
of five thousand square feet or more of surface area, or with twenty-five or more parking
spaces.
00. "Pollutant" means those pollutants defined in Section 502(6) of the
federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. Section 1362(6)), or incorporated into California
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Water Code Section 13373. Examples of pollutants include, but are not limited to the
following:
1. Commercial and industrial waste (such as fuels, solvents,
detergents, plastic pellets, hazardous substances, fertilizers,
pesticides, slag, ash, and sludge);
2. Metals such as cadmium, lead, zinc, copper, silver, nickel,
chromium; and non-metals such as phosphorus and arsenic;
3. Petroleum hydrocarbons (such as fuels, lubricants, surfactants,
waste oils, solvents, coolants and grease);
4. 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;
5. Animal wastes (such as discharge from confinement facilities,
kennels, pens, recreational facilities, stables, and show facilities);
6. Substances having characteristics such as pH less than six or
greater than nine, 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.
PP. "Project" means all development, redevelopment, and land disturbing
activities. The term is not limited to "Project" as defined under CEQA (Pub. Resources
Code Section 21065).
QQ. "Rainfall Harvest and Use" means a LID BMP system designed to
capture runoff, typically from a roof but can also include runoff capture from elsewhere
within the site, and to provide for temporary storage until the harvested water can be
used for irrigation or non -potable uses. The harvested water may also be used for
potable water uses if the system includes disinfection treatment and is approved for
such use by the local building department. Currently, neither the City nor the County of
Los Angeles Department of Public Health permit harvested rainfall for potable water
use.
RR. "Receiving Water" means "water of the United States" into which waste
and/or pollutants are or may be discharged.
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SS. "Redevelopment" means land -disturbing activity that results in the
creation, addition or replacement of at least five thousand square feet of impervious
surface area on an already developed site for all project categories except single family
residential projects. For existing single family dwelling and accessory structures,
redevelopment is the creation, addition, or replacement of 10,000 square feet or more of
impervious surface area. "Redevelopment" includes, but is not limited to, the following
activities that meet the minimum standards set forth in this definition: (1) the expansion
of a building footprint; (2) the addition or replacement of a structure; (3) the replacement
of an impervious surface that is not part of a routine maintenance activity; and (4) land -
disturbing activities related to structural or impervious surfaces. "Redevelopment" does
not include routine maintenance activities that are conducted to maintain original line
and grade, hydraulic capacity, original purpose of facility or an emergency
redevelopment activity that is required to protect public health and safety.
TT. "Regional Board" means the California Regional Water Quality Control
Board, Los Angeles Region.
UU. "Restaurant" means a facility that sells prepared foods and drinks for
consumption, including stationary lunch counters and refreshment stands selling
prepared foods and drinks for immediate consumption (SIC Code 5812).
W. "Retail Gasoline Outlet" means any facility engaged in selling gasoline
and lubricating oils.
WW. "Routine Maintenance" includes, but is not limited to projects conducted
to:
1. Maintain the original line and grade, hydraulic capacity, or original
purpose of the facility.
2. Perform as needed restoration work to preserve the original design
grade, integrity and hydraulic capacity of flood control facilities.
3. Carry out road shoulder work, re -grade dirt or gravel roadways and
shoulders and perform ditch cleanouts.
4. Update existing lines` and facilities to comply with applicable
codes, standards, and regulations regardless if such projects result
in increased capacity.
5. Repair leaks
Routine maintenance does not include construction of new** lines
or facilities resulting from compliance with applicable codes,
standards and regulations.
* Update existing lines includes replacing existing lines with new
materials or pipes.
** New lines are those that are not associated with existing facilities
and are not part of a project to update or replace existing lines.
XX. "Runoff" means any runoff including storm water and dry weather flows
from a drainage area that reaches a receiving water body or subsurface. During dry
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weather it is typically comprised of base flow either contaminated with pollutants or
uncontaminated and nuisance flows.
YY. "Significant Ecological Areas (SEAs)" means an area that is
determined to possess an example of biotic resources that cumulatively represent
biological diversity, for the purposes of protecting biotic diversity, as part of the Los
Angeles County General Plan. Areas are designated as SEAs, if they possess one or
more of the following criteria:
1. The habitat of rare, endangered, and threatened plant and animal
species.
2. Biotic communities, vegetative associations, and habitat of plant
and animal species that are either one of a kind, or are restricted in
distribution on a regional basis.
3. Biotic communities, vegetative associations, and habitat of plant
and animal species that are either one of a kind or are restricted in
distribution in Los Angeles County.
4. Habitat that at some point in the life cycle of a species or group of
species, serves as a concentrated breeding, feeding, resting,
migrating grounds and is limited in availability either regionally or
within Los Angeles County.
5. Biotic resources that are of scientific interest because they are
either an extreme in physical/geographical limitations, or represent
an unusual variation in a population or community.
6. Areas important as game species habitat or as fisheries.
7. Areas that would provide for the preservation of relatively
undisturbed examples of natural biotic communities in Los Angeles
County.
8. Special areas.
ZZ. "Site" means land or water area where any "facility or activity" is
physically located or conducted, including adjacent land used in connection with the
facility or activity.
AAA. "Source Control BMP" means any schedule of activities, prohibition of
practices, maintenance procedures, managerial practices or operational practices that
aim to prevent storm water pollution by reducing the potential for contamination at the
source of pollution.
BBB. "Storm Drain System" means any facility or any parts of the facility,
including streets, gutters, conduits, natural or artificial drains, channels and watercourse
that are used for the purpose of collecting, storing, transporting or disposing of
stormwater and are located within the City.
CCC. "Storm Water or Stormwater" means runoff and drainage related to
precipitation events (pursuant to 40 CFR Section 122.26(b)(13); 55 Fed. Reg. 47990,
47995 (Nov. 16, 1990)).
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DDD. "Storm Water Runoff" or "Urban Runoff' means surface water flow
produced by storm and non -storm events. Non -storm events include flow from
residential, commercial or industrial activities involving the use of potable and non -
potable water. When all other factors are constant, runoff increases as the perviousness
of a surface decreases.
EEE. "Structural BMP" means any structural facility designed and constructed
to mitigate the adverse impacts of storm water and urban runoff pollution (e.g. canopy,
structural enclosure). Structural BMPs may include both treatment control BMPs and
source control BMPs.
FFF. "Treatment" means the application of engineered systems that use
physical, chemical, or biological processes to remove pollutants. Such processes
include, but are not limited to, filtration, gravity settling, media adsorption,
biodegradation, biological uptake, chemical oxidation and UV radiation.
GGG. "Treatment Control BMP" means any engineered system designed to
remove pollutants by simple gravity settling of particulate pollutants, filtration, biological
uptake, media adsorption or any other physical, biological, or chemical process.
SECTION 5. Section 13.10.040 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code
entitled "Prohibited activities" is hereby repealed in its entirety and shall be replaced with
the following:
"13.10.040 — Prohibited activities.
A. Illicit discharges and connections. No person shall commence, establish,
use, maintain, or continue any illicit connections to the MS4 or any illicit discharges to the
MS4. This prohibition against illicit connections applies to the use, maintenance, or
continuation of any illicit connection, whether that connection was established prior to, or
after the effective date of this chapter.
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 private plot of land in the city, so that the same
might be or become a pollutant. No person shall throw or deposit litter in any fountain,
pond, lake, stream, or other body of water within the city. This subsection shall not apply
to refuse, rubbish or garbage deposited in containers 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 a storm drain.
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 should 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
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management practices for reducing pollutants in storm water discharges from industrial
activities.
E. Non -storm water discharges. All non -storm water discharges into the MS4
are prohibited unless those flows are:
1. In compliance with a separate NPDES Permit;
2. Pursuant to a discharge exemption by the Regional Board, the
Regional Board's Executive Officer, or the State Water Resources
Control Board;
3. Associated with emergency firefighting activities (i.e., flows
necessary for the protection of life or property);
4. Natural flows as defined in the Municipal NPDES Permit;
5. Conditionally exempt non -storm water discharges as defined in
accordance with the Municipal NPDES Permit; or
6. Authorized as a temporary non -storm water discharge by USEPA
pursuant to sections 104(a) or 104(b) of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA).
F. Prohibited discharges include, but are not limited to:
1. The discharge of wash waters to the MS4 from commercial auto
washing or when gas stations, auto repair garages, or other type of
automotive service facilities are cleaned;
2. The discharge of water to the MS4 from mobile auto washing, steam
cleaning, mobile carpet cleaning, and other such mobile commercial
and industrial operations;
3. Discharges to the MS4 from areas where repair of machinery and
equipment, including motor vehicles, which are visibly leaking oil,
fluid, or antifreeze, is undertaken;
4. Discharges of runoff to the MS4 from storage areas of materials
containing grease, oil, or other hazardous substances, and
uncovered receptacles containing hazardous materials;
5. Discharges of commercial/residential swimming pool filter backwash
to the MS4;
6. Discharges of runoff from the washing of toxic materials from paved
or unpaved areas to the MS4;
7. Discharges to the MS4 from washing impervious surfaces in
industrial/commercial areas, unless specifically required by the
State's, or the City's, or Los Angeles County's health and safety
codes, or permitted under a separate NPDES permit;
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8. Discharges to the MS4 from the washing out of concrete or cement
laden wash water from concrete trucks, pumps, tools, and
equipment;
9. Discharges to the MS4 of any pesticide, fungicide, or herbicide
banned by the USEPA or the California Department of Pesticide
Regulation or a product registered under the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide and Rodenticide Act to any waste stream that may
ultimately be released to waters of the United States unless
specifically authorized under an NPDES permit. This requirement is
not applicable to products used for lawn and agricultural purposes.
10. The disposal of hazardous wastes into trash containers used for
municipal trash disposal where such disposal causes or threatens to
cause a direct or indirect discharge to the MS4.
G. 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."
SECTION 6. A new section 13.10.045, entitled "Exempted Discharges,
Conditionally Exempted Discharges or Designated Discharges", is hereby added to
Chapter 13.10 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to read as follows:
"13.10.045 — Exempted Discharges, Conditionally Exempted Discharges or
Designated Discharges.
Discharges from those activities specifically identified in, or pursuant to, Part
III.A.1-3 of the Municipal NPDES Permit as being exempted discharges, conditionally
exempted discharges, or designated discharges shall not be considered a violation of this
chapter, provided that any such discharges are consistent with Part IIIA of the Municipal
NPDES Permit and:
A. Applicable BMPs developed pursuant to the Municipal NPDES Permit are
implemented to minimize any adverse impacts from such identified sources;
B. The discharger meets all notification, reporting and recordkeeping
requirements; and
C. The discharger has conducted all applicable monitoring requirements."
SECTION 7. Section 13.10.050 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code
entitled "Requirements for existing properties — Good housekeeping provisions" is hereby
repealed in its entirety and shall be replaced with the following:
13.10.050 — Requirements for existing properties.
Owners and occupants of property within the city shall comply with the following
requirements:
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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 and diverted
so that flow is directed to landscaped areas for infiltration where possible.
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 oil, chemicals,
debris or other polluting materials from such parking lots. Sweeping
and collection of debris is encouraged for trash disposal.
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.
E. Maintenance of Structural BMPs. Structural BMPs required by the City,
County of Los Angeles, or any state or federal agency shall be properly operated and
maintained, as specified by an approved Storm Water Mitigation Plan (SWMP), or
otherwise determined by the Authorized Enforcement Officer. Records and
documentation of such maintenance shall be provided to the Director upon request."
SECTION 8. Section 13.10.060 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code
entitled "Requirements for industrial/commercial and construction activities" is hereby
repealed in its entirety and shall be replaced with the following:
"13.10.060 -- Requirements for industrial/commercial and construction activities.
A. Each industrial discharger, discharger associated with construction activity,
or other discharger described in any general NPDES permit addressing such discharges,
as may be issued 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 and the provisions of this chapter. 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 NPDES permit may be required in a form acceptable
to the Authorized Enforcement Officer, or designated representative, prior to the issuance
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of any grading, building or occupancy permits, or any other type of permit or license
issued by the city.
B. Non -storm water discharges to the MS4 from industrial, commercial, or
construction activities in violation of any applicable NPDES permit or the provisions of this
chapter are prohibited.
C. Industrial and commercial dischargers and dischargers associated with
construction activities shall implement effective BMPs, including source control BMPs, in
accordance with Table 10 of Part VI.D.6.f of the Municipal NPDES Permit unless a
particular pollutant generating activity does not occur on a facility's site."
SECTION 9. Section 13.10.065 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code
entitled "Standard Urban Storm Water Mitigation Plan (SUSMP) requirements for new
development and redevelopment projects" is hereby repealed in its entirety and shall be
replaced with the following:
"13.10.065 — LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW
DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT.
A. Objective. The provisions of this Section establish requirements for
construction activities and facility operations of Development and Redevelopment
projects to comply with the current MS4 Permit (Order No. R4-2012-0175), to lessen the
water quality impacts of development by using smart growth practices, and integrate
LID practices and standards for stormwater pollution mitigation through means of
infiltration, evapotranspiration, biofiltration, and rainfall harvest and use. LID shall be
inclusive of new development and/or redevelopment requirements.
B. Scope. This Section contains requirements for stormwater pollution
control measures in Development and Redevelopment projects and authorizes the City
to further define and adopt stormwater pollution control measures, and to develop LID
principles and requirements, including but not limited to the objectives and
specifications for integration of LID strategies. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
City shall administer, implement and enforce the provisions of this Section.
C. Applicability. This section applies to the following New Development and
Redevelopment Projects which are subject to City conditioning and approval for the
design and implementation of post -construction controls and other BMPs to mitigate
stormwater pollution, prior to completion of the project(s), as follows:
1. New Development Projects.
a. All development projects, including all single family homes,
equal to 1 acre or greater of disturbed area that adds more than
10,000 square feet of impervious surface area.
b. Industrial parks 10,000 square feet or more of surface area.
c. Commercial malls 10,000 square feet or more of surface area.
d. Retail gasoline outlets with 5,000 square feet or more of surface
area.
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e. Restaurants (Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) of 5812)
with 5,000 square feet or more of surface area.
f. Parking lots with 5,000 square feet or more of impervious
surface area, or with 25 or more parking spaces.
g. Street and road construction of 10,000 square feet or more of
impervious surface area (see Section D.2). Street and road
construction applies to standalone streets, roads, highways, and
freeway projects, and also applies to streets within larger
projects.
h. Automotive service facilities (Standard Industrial Classification
(SIC) of 5013, 5014, 5511, 5541, 7532-7534 and 7536-7539)
5,000 square feet or more of surface area.
i. Projects located in or directly adjacent to, or discharging directly
to an Significant Ecological Area (SEA), where the development
will:
(1) Discharge stormwater runoff that is likely to impact a
sensitive biological species or habitat; and
(2) Create 2,500 square feet or more of impervious
surface area
j. New Single-family hillside homes that do not meet the criteria
paragraph (a) in this Section shall implement the measures of
Section D.1.
2. Redevelopment Projects
a. Land disturbing activity that results in the creation or addition or
replacement of 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface
area on an already developed site for categories identified in
Section C.1.
b. Where Redevelopment results in an alteration to more than fifty
percent of impervious surfaces of a previously existing
development, and the existing development was not subject to
post -construction stormwater quality control requirements, the
entire project must be mitigated.
c. Where Redevelopment results in an alteration of less than fifty
percent of impervious surfaces of a previously existing
development, and the existing development was not subject to
post -construction stormwater quality control requirements, only
the alteration must be mitigated, and not the entire
development.
d. Redevelopment does not include routine maintenance activities
that are conducted to maintain original line and grade, hydraulic
capacity, original purpose of facility or emergency
redevelopment activity required to protect public health and
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safety. Impervious surface replacement, such as the
reconstruction of parking lots and roadways which does not
disturb additional area and maintains the original grade and
alignment, is considered a routine maintenance activity.
Redevelopment does not include the repaving of existing roads
to maintain original line and grade.
e. Existing single-family dwelling and accessory structures are
exempt from the Redevelopment requirements unless such
projects create, add, or replace 10,000 square feet of
impervious surface area.
D. Specific Requirements.
1. New Single -Family Hillside Homes. The construction of a new single-
family hillside homes that do not meet the criteria of Section C.1.a are
exempt from the requirements of Section D.3 but shall include
mitigation measures to:
a. Conserve natural areas;
b. Protect slopes and channels;
c. Provide storm drain system stenciling and signage;
d. Divert roof runoff to vegetated areas before discharge unless
the diversion would result in slope instability; and
e. Direct surface flow to vegetated areas before discharge, unless
the diversion would result in slope instability.
2. Street and road construction of 10,000 square feet or more of
impervious surface are exempt from the New Development
/Redevelopment Project Performance Criteria of Part VI.D.7.c of the
MS4 Permit but shall follow the City's Green Streets Manual to the
maximum extent practicable, consistent with the City's Green Streets
Policy.
3. New Development and Redevelopment Projects. Unless otherwise
exempted in this chapter or in the MS4 Permit, the site for every New
Development and Redevelopment Project shall comply with Part
VI.D.7.c of the MS4 Permit and be designed to control pollutants,
pollutant loads, and runoff volume to the maximum extent feasible by
minimizing impervious surface area and controlling runoff from
impervious surfaces through infiltration, evapotranspiration,
bioretention and/or non -potable rainfall harvest and use in accordance
with the requirements set forth in the MS4 Permit. The project
applicant shall prepare a Storm Water Mitigation Plan which
implements set LID standards and practices for stormwater pollution
mitigation, provides documentation to demonstrate compliance with the
MS4 Permit on the plans and permit application submitted to the City,
and complies with the following:
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4. Retain stormwater runoff onsite for the Stormwater Quality Design
Volume (SWQDv) defined as the runoff from:
a. The 85th percentile 24-hour runoff event as determined from the
Los Angeles County 85th percentile precipitation isohyetal map;
or
b. The volume of runoff produced from a 0.75 inch, 24-hour rain
event, whichever is greater.
5. Minimize hydromodification impacts to natural drainage systems as
defined in The NPDES Permit.
E. Technical Infeasibility.
1. Some relief, as outlined later in this Section, from the MS4 Permit (Part
VI.D.7.c) requirements may be granted for technical infeasibility. To
demonstrate technical infeasibility, the project applicant must
demonstrate that the project cannot reliably retain 100 percent of the
SWQDv on-site, even with the maximum application of green roofs and
rainwater harvest and use, and that compliance with the applicable
post -construction requirements would be technically infeasible by
submitting a site-specific hydrologic and/or design analysis conducted
and endorsed by a registered professional engineer, geologist,
architect, and/or landscape architect. Technical infeasibility may result
from conditions including the following:
2. The infiltration rate of saturated in-situ soils is less than 0.3 inch per
hour and it is not technically feasible to amend the in-situ soils to attain
an infiltration rate necessary to achieve reliable performance of
infiltration or bioretention BMPs in retaining the SWQDv onsite.
3. Locations where seasonal high groundwater is within five to ten feet of
surface grade;
4. Locations within 100 feet of a groundwater well used for drinking water;
5. Brownfield development sites or other locations where pollutant
mobilization is a documented concern;
6. Locations with potential geotechnical hazards;
7. Smart growth and infill or redevelopment locations where the density
and/ or nature of the project would create significant difficulty for
compliance with the onsite volume retention requirement.
8. If partial or complete onsite retention is technically infeasible, the
project Site may biofilter 1.5 times the portion of the remaining SWQDv
that is not reliably retained onsite. Biofiltration BMPs must adhere to
the design specifications provided in the MS4 Permit (Order No. R4-
2012-0175).
9. The remaining SWQDv that cannot be retained or biofiltered onsite
must be treated onsite to reduce pollutant loading. BMPs must be
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selected and designed to meet pollutant -specific benchmarks as
required by the MS4 Permit. Flow-through BMPs may be used to treat
the remaining SWQDv and must be sized based on a rainfall intensity
of:
a. 0.2 inches per hour, or
b. The one year, one-hour rainfall intensity as determined from the
most recent Los Angeles County isohyetal map, whichever is
greater.
F. Exemptions from LID Requirements. The provisions of this Chapter do
not apply to any of the following:
1. A Development involving only emergency Construction Activity
required to immediately protect public health and safety;
2. Infrastructure projects within the public right-of-way, excluding street
and road construction of 10,000 square feet or more of impervious
surface;
3. A Development or Redevelopment involving only activity related to
utility services (storm drain, sewer, gas, water, cable, or electricity
services) on private property;
4. A Development or Redevelopment involving only resurfacing and/or re -
striping of permitted parking lots, where the original line and grade,
hydraulic capacity, and original purpose of the facility is maintained;
5. A project not requiring a City building, grading, demolition or other
permit for Construction Activity.
G. City Review and Approval. Prior to the issuance of a building permit for a
New Development or Redevelopment Project, the City shall evaluate the proposed
project using the MS4 Permit, and erosion and grading requirements of the City Building
Official or Authorized Enforcement Officer to determine (i) its potential to generate the
flow of Pollutants into the MS4 after construction; and (ii) how well the Storm Water
Mitigation Plan for the proposed project meets the goals of this Chapter. Each plan will
be evaluated on its own merits according to the particular characteristics of the project
and the site to be developed. Based upon the review, the City may impose conditions
upon the issuance of the building permit, in addition to any required by the State
Construction General Permit for the project, in order to minimize the flow of Pollutants
into the MS4.
H. Issuance of Discretionary Permits. No discretionary permit may be issued
for any new development or redevelopment project identified in this section until the
Authorized Enforcement Officer confirms that the project plans comply with the
applicable LID requirements. Where redevelopment results in an alteration to more
than 50 percent of impervious surfaces of a previously existing development, and the
existing development was not subject to post -development storm water quality control
requirements, the entire project must be mitigated. Where redevelopment results in an
alteration to less than 50 percent of impervious surfaces of a previously existing
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development, and the existing development was not subject to post -development storm
water quality control requirements, only the alteration must be mitigated, and not the
entire development.
I. Issuance of Certificates of Occupancy. As a condition for issuing a
certificate of occupancy for a project subject to this chapter, the Director shall require
facility operators or owners to build all BMPs that are shown on the approved project
plans and to submit an owner signed certification statement stating that the site and all
LID BMPs will be maintained in compliance with the Storm Water Mitigation Plan and
other applicable regulatory requirements.
Transfer of Properties Subject to Requirement for Maintenance of BMPs.
1. The transfer or lease of a property subject to a requirement for
maintenance of BMPs shall include conditions requiring the transferee
and its successors and assigns to either: (a) assume responsibility for
maintenance of any existing BMP, or (b) to replace an existing BMP
with new control measures or BMPs meeting the then current
standards of the City and the Municipal NPDES Permit. Such
requirement shall be included in any sale or lease agreement or deed
for such property. The condition of transfer shall include a provision
that the successor property owner or lessee conduct maintenance
inspections of all BMPs at least once a year and retain proof of
inspection.
2. For residential properties where the LID BMPs are located within a
common area, which will be maintained by a homeowner's association,
language regarding the responsibility for maintenance shall be
included in the project's conditions, covenants and restrictions
(CC&Rs). Printed educational materials will be required to accompany
the first deed transfer to highlight the existence of the requirement and
to provide information on what storm water management facilities are
present, signs that maintenance is needed, and how the necessary
maintenance can be performed. The transfer of this information shall
also be required with any subsequent sale of the property.
3. If LID BMPs are located within an area proposed for dedication to a
public agency, they will be the responsibility of the developer until the
dedication is accepted."
SECTION 10. Section 13.10.070 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code
entitled "Enforcement" is hereby repealed in its entirety and shall be replaced with the
following:
A. Violations Deemed a Public Nuisance.
1. A violation of any provision of this chapter is declared to be a public
nuisance, and the city attorney is authorized to abate such violation by
means of a civil action in addition to whatever other remedies are
available to the city under this code and other applicable laws, rules or
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regulations. Additionally, the following conditions shall be considered a
public nuisance:
c. Any failure to comply with any applicable requirement of this
Chapter or the Municipal NPDES Permit; or
d. Any false certification or verification, or any failure to comply
with a certification or verification provided by a project applicant
or the applicant's successor in interest; or
e. Any failure to properly operate and maintain any structural or
treatment control BMP on a property in accordance with an
approved Storm Water Mitigation Plan, this Chapter, or the
Municipal NPDES Permit.
2. The above listed conditions are hereby determined to be a threat to the
public health, safety and welfare, are declared and deemed a public
nuisance, and may be abated or restored by any Authorized
Enforcement Officer, and a civil or criminal action to abate, enjoin or
otherwise compel the cessation of such nuisance may be brought by
the city attorney.
3. 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. If any violation of this chapter constitutes
a seasonal and recurrent nuisance, the Authorized Enforcement
Officer shall so declare. The failure of any person to take appropriate
annual precautions to prevent storm water pollution after written notice
of a determination under this section shall constitute a public nuisance
and a violation of this chapter.
B. Inspections.
1. Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the
provisions of this section, or whenever an Authorized Enforcement
Officer has reasonable cause to believe that there exists on any
construction site any condition which constitutes a violation of the
provisions of this section, the Authorized Enforcement Officer may,
upon consent or upon obtaining an inspection warrant, enter such
construction site at all reasonable times to inspect the same or perform
any duty imposed upon the Officer by this section.
2. Routine or area inspections shall be based upon such reasonable
selection process as may be deemed necessary to carry out the
objectives of this chapter, including, but not limited to, random
sampling and/or sampling in areas with evidence of storm water
contamination, discharges of non-stormwater to the MS4, discharges
which are not pursuant to an NPDES permit, or similar factors.
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3. Right to Inspect. Prior to commencing any inspection as herein below
authorized, the Authorized Enforcement Officer shall obtain either the
consent of the owner, his/her authorized representative or the
occupant of the property or shall obtain an administrative inspection
warrant or criminal search warrant.
4. Entry to Inspect. The Authorized Enforcement Officer may enter
property to investigate the source of any discharge to any public street,
inlet, gutter, storm drain or any other part of the MS4 located within the
jurisdiction of the City.
5. Compliance Assessments. The Authorized Enforcement Officer may
inspect property for the purpose of verifying compliance with this
chapter, including but not limited to (a) identifying products produced,
processes conducted, chemicals used and materials stored on or
contained within the property; (b) identifying point(s) of discharge of all
wastewater, process water systems and pollutants; (c) investigating
the natural slope at the location, including drainage patterns and man-
made conveyance systems; (d) establishing the location of all points of
discharge from the property, whether by surface runoff or through a
storm drain system; (e) locating any illicit connection or the source of
prohibited discharge; (f) evaluating compliance with any permit issued
relating to a discharge to the stormwater drainage system.
6. Portable Equipment. For purposes of verifying compliance with this
chapter, the Authorized Enforcement Officer may inspect any vehicle,
truck, trailer, tank truck or other mobile equipment.
7. Records Review. The Authorized Enforcement Officer may inspect all
records of the owner or occupant of property relating to chemicals or
processes presently or previously occurring on-site, including material
and/or chemical inventories, facilities maps or schematics and
diagrams, material safety data sheets, hazardous waste manifests,
business plans, pollution prevention plans, state general permits,
stormwater pollution prevention plans, monitoring program plans and
any other record(s) relating to illicit connections, prohibited discharges,
or any other source of contribution or potential contribution of
pollutants to the stormwater drainage system.
8. Sample and Test. The Authorized Enforcement Officer may inspect,
sample and test any area runoff, soils area (including groundwater
testing), process discharge, materials within any waste storage area
(including any container contents), and/or treatment system discharge
for the purpose of determining the potential for contribution of
pollutants to the stormwater drainage system. The Authorized
Enforcement Officer may investigate the integrity of all storm drain and
sanitary sewer systems, any legal nonconforming connection or other
pipelines on the property using appropriate tests, including but not
limited to smoke and dye tests or video surveys. The Authorized
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Enforcement Officer may take photographs or video tape, make
measurements or drawings, and create any other record reasonably
necessary to document conditions on the property.
9. Monitoring. The Authorized Enforcement Officer may erect and
maintain monitoring devices for the purpose of measuring or sampling
any discharge or potential source of discharge to the stormwater
drainage system.
10. Test Results. The owner or occupant of property subject to inspection
shall, on submission of a written request, receive copies of all
monitoring and test results conducted by the Authorized Enforcement
Officer.
C. Concealment. Causing, permitting, aiding, abetting, or concealing a
violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute a violation of such provision.
D. 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:
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.
E. 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
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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.
F. 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.
G. 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.
H. 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 11. A new section 13.10.080, entitled "Fees", is hereby added to
Chapter 13.10 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to read as follows:
"13.10.080 — Fees.
Fees for plan reviews, inspections, violations, corrections, and tasks associated
with this chapter may be established by resolution of the City Council."
SECTION 12. If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause,
phrase, or portion of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or place, is
for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of
competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this
ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this ordinance,
and each and every section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or
portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections,
subdivisions, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions thereof be declared invalid or
unconstitutional.
SECTION 13. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this ordinance
and shall cause same to be published pursuant to state law within fifteen (15) days after
its passage, and this ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after its passage.
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PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the
City of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, on this 21St day of April 2015.
Jim Knight
l►d_WOM
ATTEST:
Carla Morreale
C ffinejl 1
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
I, Carla Morreale, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, California,
hereby certify that Ordinance No. was introduced at a regular meeting of the
City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes held on April 7, 2015, and thereafter was
adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting held on April 21, 2015, and that the
same was adopted by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
CITY CLERK
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