All development and redevelopment projects are obligated to comply with Federal, State, and Local storm water regulations during the planning, construction, and post-construction phases of development. Whereas, storm water discharges that occur as a result of construction activities are regulated by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). In the San Diego County, storm water discharges from any development to municipal storm drain systems are regulated by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). The City of Oceanside is responsible for local administration of storm water management requirements and has developed a Best Management Plan (BMP Design Manual) as a resource document, which is designed to facilitate the implementation of the requirements of the RWQCB Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit.
Municipal (MS4) Permit regulations make it necessary for projects to demonstrate compliance with storm water management requirements prior to project approval or issuance of local permits. Requirements that apply during the planning phase and prior to project entitlement include minimum standards for the implementation of Low Impact Development (LID) practices and the integration of flow control criteria designed to mitigate storm runoff peaks and durations from development sites. This unified LID approach combines site planning and design measures coupled with engineered, Integrated Management Practices (IMPs), such as bioretention facilities, flow-through planters, dry wells, infiltration basins, and cisterns.
Projects entering into the construction phase of development are regulated by the SWRCB and the City of Oceanside. Construction projects are required to demonstrate both intended and ongoing compliance with the City Grading and Erosion Control Ordinances, and applicable State Construction General Permit (SCGP) requirements. In addition, projects seeking approval of Grading or Improvement Plans are obligated, by RWQCB and City regulations, to demonstrate compliance with State requirements for long-term inspection, operation, and maintenance of permanent BMPs through the implementation of a Operation and Maintenance Plan (O&M Plan) to control storm water quality.
The combined overall goal of the City and applicant is to produce a comprehensive storm water management design that demonstrates compliance with the requirements of the Municipal (MS4) Permit and is able to withstand an audit by the SWRCB.
Prior to project submittal all development and redevelopment projects applying for discretionary or administrative permits are subject to a formal Storm Water Quality Assessment (SWQA) determination.
Project applicants are encouraged to coordinate with City Engineering Division Staff (Storm Water staff) to enable the development of a plausible storm water management concept, prior to development and plan submittal.
Projects may elect to use the appropriate City's Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) template as an aid for plan preparation. The following are City's standard forms and templates and associated review fees as an aid for plan preparation:
In addition, it is suggested the project applicant consult with City Storm Water staff for assistance during each phase of development. By implementing the unified LID design procedure, projects may develop a single integrated design that demonstrates compliance with Federal, State, and Local storm water regulations.
City of Oceanside Storm Water Documents
Related Storm Water Document Links