Storm Water Pollution Prevention

As required by the Regional Water Quality Control Board, storm water management and pollution prevention measures are required for various types of projects. These measures manage water flows, improve the quality of storm water runoff, decrease flooding, protect the environment, and conserve water. Refer to Sunnyvale Municipal Code in Chapter 12.60.

Prior to issuance of building permits, projects that disturb over one acre or soil are required to file a Notice of Intent (NOI) and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan.

Note: New Low Impact Development (LID) requirements went into effect on December 1, 2011. Projects which did not recieve final discretionary approval by December 1, 2011 will be required to comply. Refer to the informational flyer prepared by the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program. The Storm Water Best Management Practices (BMP) Guidance Manual and Storm Water Data Sheet have been revised to reflect current changes.

Informational Flyer 

Regulated Projects

Projects that Replace or Add 10,000 Square Feet or More; Add or Replace 5,000 sqaure feet for Special Projects and/or Modify 50 percent or more of Impervious Surfaces. Projects of this scope require a Stormwater Management Plan.

• Storm Water Management Summary - summarizes the requirements for Storm Water Management. 
• Storm Water Best Management Practices (BMP) Guidance Manual (Revised December 2011).
• Storm Water Best Management Practices (BMP) Guidance Manual-Appendix B
• Qualified Storm Water Consultants - contact information for all consultants qualified to prepare Storm Water Management Plans.
• Storm Water Data Sheet - form that needs to be submitted with all planning applications that add or change impervious surfaces (updated 12/14).

Resources

• EPA Low Impact Development (LID) "Barrier Busters" Fact Sheet Series
• EPA Green Infrastructure List Serve
• Recommended Source Control Measures for Unregulated Projects.
• California’s Storm Water Quality Association’s New Development and Redevelopment Guidelines - http://www.cabmphandbooks.com/Development.asp
• California’s Storm Water Quality Association’s Construction Handbook - http://www.cabmphandbooks.com/Construction.asp
• Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program - http://www.scvurppp.org/
• Municipal Regional Storm Water NPDES Permit - this link will take you to the State of California, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
• California Low Impact Development (LID) Portal - This link provides resources for new development and redevelopment.

Reducing Pollution in Stormwater Runoff

• Pollution Prevention Measures – a variety of measures that can be taken by property owners and contractors to reduce pollution in urban runoff.
• Landscaping Maintenance for Pest Reduction - description of measures that can be taken to reduce pesticide use.
• The Guidelines and Standards for Land Use Near Streams - this link will take you to the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s website.