The County Stormwater Program reviews proposed land development projects to prevent adverse impacts to the surface water quality and ensure compliance with requirements in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Ventura County Stormwater Municipal Permit No. CAS004002 issued by California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) – Los Angeles Region. The County Stormwater Program's project review process generally focuses on the following areas:
- Post-construction impact of new development and redevelopment projects on stormwater runoff;
- Construction, demolition, or soil disturbance impact on stormwater runoff;
- Proposed land use impact on surface water quality;
- Compliance with the County General Plan and Area Plans as related to surface water and stormwater quality;
- Potential impact of stormwater discharge from material storage areas, vehicle or equipment fueling areas, vehicle or equipment maintenance (including washing) areas, waste handling areas, hazardous materials handling or storage areas, delivery areas or loading docks, or other outdoor work areas;
- Potential of stormwater discharge to impair the beneficial uses of the receiving waters;
- Potential impact of stormwater discharge to cause significant harm on the biological integrity of the waterways and waterbodies;
- Potential for significant changes in the flow velocity or volume of storm water runoff to cause harm to or impair the beneficial uses of natural drainage systems; and
- Potential for significant increases in erosion at the project site or surrounding areas.
To navigate this website, click on any of the links on the left-hand side: Forms, Brochures, Guidelines/Standards, Laws/Ordinances, Policies, Fees, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). For more information about the roles and responsibilities of the County's Stormwater Program, please click on the Department Home link at the top of the page.
Forms
Industrial Facilities
Industrial facilities may be required to comply with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities (Permit), Order No. CAS000001. As a part of the Zoning Clearance process, you will be required to complete, sign, and submit County's Industrial Self-Certification for Stormwater Regulations 
form.
New Development and Redevelopment Projects Deemed Complete after October 11, 2011
If your proposed project meets New Development or Redevelopment criteria of the
2010 Ventura County Stormwater Municipal Permit (Order No. R4-2010-0108) for the created, added, or replaced impervious or total surface area and was deemed complete after October 11, 2011, it shall address Permit requirements for post-construction stormwater controls described on Guidelines/Standards page documented in the following documentation:
- 2011 TGM Tool
This tool is used for the design of the PCSMP control systems. - Post-Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP)
- Stormwater Treatment System Access and Maintenance Agreement
The information in this document will ensure on-going maintenance of the post-construction stormwater controls.
To verify proper maintenance and operation of post-construction stormwater controls, the project owner shall submit Stormwater Treatment Facility Maintenance Record Verification form each year by September 15th.
New Development and Redevelopment Deemed Complete prior to October 11, 2011
If the proposed project meets New Development or Redevelopment criteria of the 2000 Ventura County Stormwater Municipal Permit (Order No. 00-108) for the created, added, or replaced impervious or total surface area, the proposed design shall address Permit requirements including Stormwater Quality Urban Impact Mitigation Plan (SQUIMP) to mitigate stormwater pollution. The project documentation shall include:
- Stormwater Quality Urban Impact Mitigation Plan (SQUIMP) Worksheet
This document contains information on selected post-construction stormwater and design details. - Stormwater Treatment System Access and Maintenance Agreement
The information in this document will verify on-going maintenance of the post-construction stormwater.
To verify proper maintenance and operation of post-construction stormwater, the project owner shall submit Stormwater Treatment Facility Maintenance Record Verification form each year by September 15th.
For more information and resources regarding new development/redevelopment projects, please refer to the Guidelines/Standards page.
Construction Requirements for all Projects
The following worksheets are required to identify stormwater best management practices required at construction sites. The following forms are required based on the amount of soil to be disturbed by a project as demonstrated in this flow chart .
- SW-1 Best Management Practices for Construction Less than 1 Acre
This worksheet contains information on Best Management Practices (BMPs) required for projects causing less than 1 acre of soil disturbance. - SW-HR Best Management Practices for Construction at High Risk Sites
This worksheet contains information on BMPs required for projects at High Risk Sites. - SW-2 Best Management Practices for Construction 1 Acre and Larger
This worksheet contains information on Best Management Practices (BMPs) required for projects causing 1 acre or more of soil disturbance.
For more information and resources regarding construction projects, please refer to Guidelines/Standards page.
Brochures
- NPDES Construction Requirements Flow Chart
This flow chart helps to determine which forms are required, based on the amount of soil to be disturbed by a project. - Construction BMPs for Less than 1 Acre of Soil Disturbance
This brochure presents Permit-required BMPs for construction causing less than 1 acre of soil disturbance. - Construction BMPs for High Risk Sites
This brochure presents Permit-required BMPs for construction at High Risk Sites. - Post-Construction Requirements for Single-Family Hillside Homes
This brochure outlines required BMPs for nursery and nursery center operations. - BMPs for Nurseries and Nursery Centers
This brochure presents Permit-required BMPs for nursery and nursery center operations to prevent stormwater pollution. - BMPs for Auto-related Businesses
This brochure presents Permit-required BMPs for auto-related business operations (auto service, gas station, auto dealers). - BMPs for Restaurants
This brochure presents Permit-required BMPs for restaurant operations to prevent stormwater pollution. - Illicit Discharge Prevention for Business Owners
This brochure describes what an illicit/illegal discharge is and how to prevent stormwater pollution. - Horse Manure Management
This brochure presents watershed protection tips for horse owners.
Guidelines / Standards
New Development and Redevelopment Projects Deemed Complete after October 11, 2011
If your proposed project was deemed complete after October 11, 2011 it shall be evaluated for Post-construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP) requirements following 2010 Ventura County Stormwater Municipal Permit (Order No. R4-2010-0108) .
Projects that meet Applicability Criteria of 2010 Ventura County Stormwater Municipal Permit’s Part E “Planning and Land Development Program”, will be required to comply with PCSMP. The following guidelines will help you meet design, installation, and maintenance requirements for the post-construction stormwater quality controls:
This Manual provides detailed design guidelines for post-construction stormwater quality controls.
This document contains guidelines for post-construction stormwater controls to mitigate stormwater pollution. The green infrastructure management includes approaches and technologies to infiltrate, evapotranspire, capture and reuse stormwater to maintain or restore natural hydrological conditions.
This website contains information related to Low Impact Development including fact sheets, reports, design manuals, guidance manuals, and information resources.
New Development and Redevelopment Deemed Complete prior to October 11, 2011
If your proposed project meets project criteria of the 2000 Ventura County Municipal Stormwater Permit for the created or added impervious or total surface area, the proposed design must incorporate stormwater permit requirements, including Stormwater Quality Urban Impact Mitigation Plan (SQUIMP) to mitigate stormwater pollution.
Construction
If your proposed project causes any soil disturbance during construction or demolition activities, then the effective combination of Best Management Practices (BMPs) prescribed by the 2010 Ventura County Stormwater Municipal Permit (Order No. R4-2010-0108) will be required as follows:
- For projects less than 1 acre of soil disturbance, refer to Table 6 of the Permit;
- For projects 1 acre or greater but less than 5 acres of soil disturbance, refer to Table 6 and Table 7 of the Permit; and
- For projects greater than 5 acres of soil disturbances, refer to Table 6, Table 7, and Table 8 of the Permit.
If you proposed project meets one of the following criteria, then implementation of the enhanced BMPs at High Risk Sites, which are listed in Table 9 of the Permit, will be required for:
- All construction sites on hillsides (greater than 20% slope); and
- Construction sites that directly discharge to a waterbody listed on the Clean Water Act § 303 (d) list for siltation or sediment; or
- Construction activities that occur within or directly adjacent to an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESAs), refer to Figure 1.
In addition, construction activity resulting in a land disturbance of one acre or more, or less than one acre but part of a larger common plan of development or sale, shall obtain and comply with the State General Permit No. CAS000002 for Discharges of Storm Water Runoff Associated with Construction Activities
Definitions:
Construction activity includes any construction or demolition activity, clearing, grading, grubbing, or excavation or any other activity that results in a land disturbance.
Construction activity does not include emergency construction activities required to immediately protect public health and safety or routine maintenance activities required to maintain the integrity of structures by performing minor repair and restoration work, maintain original line and grade, hydraulic capacity, or original purpose of the facility.
Industrial Facilities
If your proposed project meets industrial applicability criteria, then the facility is required to apply for and comply with the State Industrial Activity Stormwater General Permit No. CAS000001 for Discharges of Storm Water Runoff Associated with Industrial Activities 
Commercial Business
If your proposed project is subject to the commercial business category, then the facility will be required to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) under the 2010 Ventura County Stormwater Municipal Permit (Order No. R4-2010-0108) ; the Permit copy is available under Policies link
Others
If your proposed project is determined to have impact on surface water quality or stormwater runoff, additional water quality mitigation measures will apply.
Laws/Ordinances
NEW!County of Ventura Stormwater Quality Management Ordinance for Unincorporated Areas
Code No. 4450 protects the stormwater quality in the County's unincorporated area.
2010 Ventura Countywide Municipal Stormwater Permit No. CAS004002
adopted by the Regional Water Quality Control Board to protect the stormwater quality during stormwater (wet weather) and non-stormwater (dry weather) discharges from the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems within the Ventura County Watershed Protection District, County of Ventura, and the Incorporated Cities therein.
2012 Update of County of Ventura Stormwater Quality Ordinance
County of Ventura is in the process of updating the County Stormwater Quality Management (SWQM) Ordinance No. 4142 to meet new requirements of the Ventura Countywide Municipal Stormwater Permit adopted by the Regional Water Quality Control Board in July 2010.
Join us at a Public Stakeholder Workshop at 2:00 pm on March 21 at the Multipurpose Room at the Ventura County Hall of Administration located at 800 S. Victoria Ave. Ventura, CA 93009 to review the FIRST DRAFT of the 2012 Update to Stormwater Quality Management Ordinance No. 4142 prior to its presentation to the County Board of Supervisors.
Comments to the "County of Ventura FIRST DRAFT SWQMP Ordinance - 2012 update" are due April 13, 2012. Please submit your comments to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Stakeholder Workshop Presentation Slides Stakeholder Workshop Announcement – March 21, 2012
- County of Ventura FIRST DRAFT SWQM Ordinance
- County of Ventura FIRST DRAFT SWQM Ordinance with tracked changes
- County of Ventura SWQM Ordinance – Fact Sheet
Policies
The County Stormwater Program adheres to all policies set forth by the Ventura County Stormwater Quality Ordinance, Ventura Countywide Stormwater Municipal Permit (No. CAS004002), as well as other regional, State, and federal regulations.
Fees
This section will be completed at a later date.
FAQs
- NEW! Ventura County Municipal Stormwater Permit Planning and Land Development Program FAQs
Provides answers to questions related to the new Planning and Land Development Program requirements of the current 2010 Ventura County Stormwater Municipal Permit (Order No. 2010-0108).
Construction
- Ventura County Municipal Stormwater Permit Construction Site Inspection Program FAQs
Provides answers to questions related to Construction Program requirements of the 2010 Ventura County Stormwater Municipal Permit (Order No. 2010-0108). - State General Construction Permit FAQs
Provides answers to questions related to Construction Activities Storm Water General Permit, State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Order No. 2009-0009-DWQ, Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Storm Water Runoff Associated with Construction Activities. - CASQA's FAQs for State General Construction Permit
Provides answers to questions related to Construction Activities Storm Water General Permit, State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Order No. 2009-0009-DWQ, Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Storm Water Runoff Associated with Construction Activities.
Industrial Facilities
- State General Stormwater Industrial Permit FAQs
Provides answers to questions related to Industrial Activity Stormwater General Permit, State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Order No. 97-03-DWQ, Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Storm Water Runoff Associated with Industrial Activities.
Contacts
County Stormwater Program
(805) 662-6737
(805) 654-5051
Public Counter
Government Center
Hall of Administration,
Main Plaza
8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
(805) 645-1321