Surface and stormwater discharge prohibitions.
Riverside Municipal Code § 14.12.315
in effect14.12.315 - Surface and stormwater discharge prohibitions.
A. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the storm drainage system, whether currently carrying water or not, any pollutant or non-storm water.
B. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged to the storm drainage system or waterway, whether currently carrying water or not, any substance or pollutant which could:
1. Impair the useful function of the storm drain system;
2. Cause undue storm drain maintenance expense to the City or other public agency;
3. Contain sewage;
4. Containing pollutants that cause or threaten to cause a condition of pollution, contamination, nuisance or public hazard;
5. Pollute natural surface or subsurface waters; or
6. Violate any federal state or local regulation, code, permit or requirement.
C. Any person violating subsection A or B of this section shall be liable to the City for all damages and costs incurred by the City, including administrative expenses and fines. The City shall calculate its administrative expenses as 90 percent of the cost of repairs and personnel time expended by the City to remedy such damages and costs. All charges shall be payable to the City within 30 days of invoicing by the City.
D. Any person who has violated subsection A or B of this section shall submit a written report of the incident within five business days to the Director. The written report shall include a description of the circumstances causing the discharge, the quantity and qualities of the pollutant(s) discharged the methods of cleanup and disposal, and the corrective measures taken to prevent a reoccurrence.
E. No person or business shall allow for automatic or manual pumps to pump out sump contents to the storm drain system, street conveyance, or waterway.
F. No chemicals, green waste, or pet waste may be discharged to the storm drain system or waterway.
G. No person or business shall allow wash water to enter the storm drain from the following activities:
1. Hosing or cleaning gas stations, vehicle maintenance facilities, or other related services;
2. Hosing, cleaning, repairing, or maintaining motorized equipment or machinery;
3. Mobile operations such as automotive detailing, window washing, carpet and drape cleaning, pet services, power washing, etc.; or
4. Runoff from hosing or cleaning parking lots, streets, alleys, gutters, sidewalks, driveways, patios, plazas, work yards, and outdoor eating or drinking areas and their associated trash enclosures, etc.
H. No person or business shall allow runoff containing pollutants associated with construction sites, activities, materials, or waste.
I. Industrial storm water discharges and authorized non-storm water discharges regulated by a State or Regional Water Quality Control Board Permit containing hazardous substances. Should such a release occur, the facility must make notifications in accordance with 40 C.F.R. Section 110.6, 117.21, and 302.6.
J. Plastic materials or pellets may not be deposited on the ground of a facility and may not enter a facility's storm drain conveyances, MS4 or water bodies adjacent to the facility.
K. It is a violation of this ordinance to establish, use, maintain, or continue illicit connections to the storm drain system, or to commence or continue any illicit discharges to the storm drain system. This prohibition against illicit connections and discharges is expressly retroactive and applies to connections and discharges made in the past, regardless of whether permissible under the law or practices applicable or prevailing at the time of the connection or discharge.
L. A violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall occur irrespective of the negligence or intent of the violator to construct, maintain, operate or utilize an illicit connection or to cause, have the potential to cause, allow or facilitate any prohibited discharge.
M. Prohibited discharges from commercial and restaurant businesses also include any surface discharges from trash compactors, trash enclosures, grease bins, restaurant discharges to outside surfaces and debris found in trash enclosures. Good housekeeping BMP's shall be utilized to deal with prevention and clean-up of such discharges. If discharge contaminates soil the contaminated soil shall be removed. Surface discharges must be cleaned up within the time noted on the inspection report.
(Ord. 7551 §18, 2021; Ord. 7362 §6, 2017; Ord. 7150 §2, 2011; Ord. 7032 §2, 2009; Ord. 6637 §2, 2002; Ord. 6398 §2 (part), 1997; Ord. 6232 §2 (part), 1995)
Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT14PUUT_CH14.12DIWAINPUSEPOINSTDRSY_DIVIIGEPR_14.12.315SUSTDIPRFetched: 11/1/2026