Under the federal Clean Water Act, the City of San Diego and other municipalities in the region are mandated to obtain National Pollutant Discharge System (NPDES) permits for discharges of urban runoff from their municipal storm drain system (MS4). On Dec. 2, 2002, the City established the Storm Water Standards Manual to provide guidance on the required water quality improvements for new development and redevelopment projects and required construction Best Management Practices (BMPs). On Jan. 24, 2007, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (Board) adopted Order No. R9-2007-01, which renews the municipal NPDES permit and changes some of the requirements for water quality improvements and construction BMPs. On May 8, 2013, the Board adopted Order No. R9-2013-0001, which again updated the requirements of the 2007 Order. The new permit requirements became effective on Jan. 3, 2018.

These updated requirements, in addition to the new 2018 requirements, are reflected in the 2018 Stormwater Standards Manual. An updated Stormwater Requirements Applicability Checklist.

For further questions, please call 619-446-5000.