Appendix 5503. 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 pickup 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 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.

(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;

(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.

(Ord. No. 15-416, § 2(5504), 5-27-2015)