Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP)

The Municipal Permit provides for limited exclusions from SWQM Treatment requirements. To qualify, applicants are required to submit a completed Storm Water Quality Assessment (SWQA) Form Revised 6/4/20 and receive a formal SWQA Determination indicating the project is not subject to SWQMP requirements. Determinations are performed on a case-by-case basis.

Project types that may be eligible for a SWQMP exemption (based on side and quantity) include:

• Projects not identified as Priority or Standard Development
• Projects limited to interior remodel, routine maintenance or repair, roof or exterior surface replacement
• Resurfacing and restriping of surface parking lots or roadways            
• Construction of new sidewalk, pedestrian ramps, or bike lanes on existing roads.
• Routine replacement of damaged pavement, such as small areas of potholing operations.
• Construction involving limited, or no soils disturbance and deemed not to be threat to water quality (e.g. Addition of a cellular antennas/equipment to existing structures)              

Projects that are determined to be exempt from SWQMP requirements remain obligated to satisfy the Requirements for All Development Projects which include, the implementation of appropriate Source Control BMPs, temporary construction BMPs, and permanent stabilization/erosion control BMPs.

Development and redevelopment projects that are not identified as Priority Development Projects, or are not determined to be exempt from SUSMP Treatment requirements, and receive a formal SUSMP Determination which identifies the project as a Standard Development Project‖ (SDP) shall address the following:

• Implementation of Source Control BMPs as identified in Section 2 of the City's BMP Design Manual
• Inclusion of LID Features that:
  • Conserve natural topographic features
  • Provide development setbacks from natural water bodies and conveyances
  • Minimize site imperviousness
  • Maximize infiltration
  • Retain and slow runoff

Standard Development Projects are required to implement a Standard Development Project (SDP) – Storm Water Mitigation Plan (SWMP).  The City may also require additional controls for Standard Development Projects, that are appropriate to the project and which may include treatment BMPs and LID IMPs such as infiltration or bioretention.  Should treatment facilities be included in the project design, the plan shall contain provisions to ensure long-term BMP maintenance.

Development and redevelopment projects that are identified as Priority Development Projects and receive a formal SUSMP Determination identifying the project as a Priority Development Project‖ (SDP) shall address the following:

• Implementation of Source Control BMPs as identified in Section 2 of the City SUSMP
• Inclusion of LID features that:
  • Conserve natural topographic features
  • Provide development setbacks from natural water bodies and conveyances
  • Minimize site imperviousness
  • Maximize infiltration
  • Retain and slow runoff
  • Demonstrate conformance with storm water treatment/IMP requirements
  • Demonstrate conformance with storm water treatment flow attenuation (HMP) requirements
  • Identification of an acceptable long term Operation and Maintenance mechanism

Priority Development Projects are required to implement a Priority Development Project – Storm Water Mitigation Plan (PDP-SWMP).  The RWQCB and the City Engineer will not consider Treatment Control BMPs or Integrated Management Practices (IMPs) as being consistent with the Maximum Extent Practicable standard (MEP), unless the applicant identifies and a specific maintenance mechanism and implements a storm water operation and maintenance plan (O&M Plan) to ensure ongoing long-term inspection and maintenance of all Treatment Control BMPs and IMPs.

Projects which have been formally identified as Priority Development or Standard Development are required to submit a project specific Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP).  Project storm water plans and supporting documents shall be submitted to the Planning Division as part of the project entitlement process, for distribution to Engineering and staff review.

The review of project SWQMP is an iterative process that entails examination of the SWQMP for consistency with City's BMP Design Manual and Municipal Permit requirements. SWQMP reviews also comprise an evaluation of the supporting documents that include (at a minimum); the Site Development Plan, Project Description and Justification, Hydrology Study, Geotechnical Report, Biological Study, Slope Analysis, and etc. The general steps for approval of the SWQMP from initial submittal to signature approval are as follows:

• Initial project and SWQMP submittal and Priority and Standard Development Determination               
• Subsequent submittals - Iterative review and revision cycle accompanied by written and redline comments.
• Issuance of deemed complete status - Facilitates approval for administrative projects and enables scheduling of the public hearing for discretionary projects.
• Public hearing - Obtain tentative project entitlement upon Planning Commission approval
• 10-Day entitlement appeal period - The project findings may be appealed to a City Council hearing
• City Council hearing (if Applicable)             
• Receipt of final entitlement by approved Conditions Of Approval               
• Submission of request for signature approval by Engineering Division               
• Final Review by the City Development Engineer
• Final review by the City Engineer
• Signature approval by the City Engineer

The City recognizes project entitlement as “lawful prior approval”.  However, “updated SWQMP and hydromodification requirements shall apply to all priority projects or phases of priority projects which have not yet begun grading or construction activities at the time any updated SWQMP or hydromodification requirement commences.  If a Co-permittee determines that lawful prior approval of a project exists, whereby application of an updated SWQMP or hydromodification requirement to the project is infeasible, the updated SWQMP or hydromodification requirement need not apply to the project. Where feasible, the Co-permittees shall utilize the SWQMP and hydromodification update periods to ensure that projects undergoing approval processes include application of the updated SWQMP and hydromodification requirements in their plans.

Approved SWQMP due to unforeseen field conditions and site constraints may be formally Amended, provided the amendment is consistent with previously approved SWQMP and proposed Treatment Control BMP and/or IMP practices have an equal or greater pollutant removal efficiency for the project's Primary Pollutants of Concern.  Amendments to an approved SWQMP are required to provide narrative and exhibits that provide the following information:

Title page should include project name, permit application or project number (e.g. D-1-01), Amendment No., Engineer of work contact information, stamp, and wet signature.

Submit SWQMP Amendment to Development Services – Engineering Division.  Amendments are subject to an iterative review/revision process prior to approval by the City Engineer.

Table of contents

• Project Background
• Project Amendment                    
• List of Revised sections, Figures, Exhibits or maps
• Revised Narrative Sections
• Revised Figures, Exhibits, or Maps
• Conclusion                

Topics addressed in the Table of Contents will contain the following site specific information:                

• Project Background
  • Recap/Brief site description
  • Original SWQMP approval date
  • Description of approved BMPs that will be affected by the proposed amendment
• Proposed Amendments
  • State purpose(s) for amending the approved SWQMP
  • Provide supporting statement for each revision
  • Demonstrate/State how revise practices will provide equal or better treatment as compared to BMPs in the previously approved SWQMP                    
• List of Revised Section(s)
  • List all text sections, figures, exhibits, or maps affected by the amendment
• Revised Text Sections
  • Apply underline font to all revised text
  • Apply Strikeout font to original text undergoing revision or omission
  • Provide separate page(s) with header for each revised text section                 
• Revised Figures, Exhibits, or maps
• Conclusion
  • Provide summary of changes, justification, demonstration of equal or better treatment facility, and meeting MEP standard.