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Stormwater

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Stormwater Emergency

Report street flooding, illegal dumping and clogged storm drains 24-hours to the City of Stockton at (209) 937-8341.

Email non-urgent questions to WaterFacts@stocktonca.gov or submit via Ask Stockton.

Stormwater runoff is generated from rain and melted snow that flow over land or paved streets, parking lots and rooftops. The runoff picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment before making its way into and harming local rivers, streams, lakes and coastal waters.

The City of Stockton Stormwater Utility Division operates and maintains approximately 620 miles of pipe, 72 pump stations, and more than 100 discharge pipes that collect and route runoff from the streets and gutters to our local rivers, creeks, and sloughs.

Stormwater Master Plan

The 2023 Stormwater Master Plan (SWMP) adopted in March 2023 updates the 2008 Conceptual Storm Drain Master Plan in accordance with the Envision Stockton 2040 General Plan Update. The SWMP includes an updated stormwater infrastructure assessment, development of a hydrologic and hydraulic computer model of the City's stormwater system, assessment of system deficiencies for existing and buildout conditions based on the 2040 General Plan Update, identification of infrastructure needs, and development of Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) with cost estimates.

Construction Stormwater Program

The California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) regulates stormwater discharges from construction sites because of its potential to mobilize pollutants and discharge into waterbodies or watersheds. Construction projects that disturb one or more acres of soil or whose projects disturb less than one acre but are part of a larger common plan of development that in total disturbs one or more acres, are required to obtain coverage under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction and Land Disturbance Activities. For more information, please visit the State Water Board Construction Stormwater Program webpage and the Environmental Protection Agency Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan webpage.

Stormwater System
About the Stockton Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), includes ditches, curbs, gutters, storm sewers, and similar means of collecting or conveying runoff that do not connect with a wastewater collection system or treatment plant. To operate a MS4, the City is required by the Clean Water Act to hold a MS4 permit and implement Storm Water Management Plan to reduce the discharge of pollutants into local waterways. 

Each year the City must provide an Annual Report to the State on the Stormwater Program and Best Management Practices (BMP). The City of Stockton submits annual Municipal Stormwater Program reports in accordance with:

Stormwater Resource Plan
San Joaquin County Region Stormwater Resource Plan

The San Joaquin County Region Stormwater Resource Plan (San Joaquin County SWRP) is being developed by the County of San Joaquin and cities of Stockton, Tracy, Lodi, and Manteca to identify and prioritize stormwater and dry weather runoff capture projects.

Learn about Green Infrastructure in San Joaquin County and submit your green stormwater project ideas. Projects ideas to help prevent flooding and keep our local waterways clean may be included in the Stormwater Resource Plan. For more information, please visit the San Joaquin County Flood Control & Water Conservation District webpage or review the following flyer.

Pollution Prevention
Prevent Pollution in Waterways
  • Keep storm drains clear of trash, including leaves. Rain water flows to local waterways untreated.
  • Report street flooding, clogged storm drains and illegal dumping to the City 24-Hour Emergency Service Center at (209) 937-8341.
  • Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) 8.04.210 prohibits the deposit of any recyclable material, green waste, garbage, or waste matter on any street, alley, gutter, park or other public way, vacant lot, water or waterway, or levees.
Development Activities
Construction General Permit

Operators of construction sites on one-acre or larger, including smaller sites part of a larger common plan of development, are monitored under the State’s Construction Stormwater General Permit. The Stormwater Program also requires specific control measures for post-construction runoff from new developments and redeveloped areas.

The 2020 Stormwater Quality Control Criteria Plan (SWQCCP) provides development standards for managing stormwater runoff for:

Priority Land Uses (PLU):

  • High-density residential – All land uses with at least 10 developed dwelling units per acre
  • Industrial – Land uses where the primary activities on the developed parcels involve product manufacture, storage, or distribution (e.g., manufacturing businesses, warehouses, equipment storage lots, junkyards, wholesale businesses, distribution centers, or building material sales yards)
  • Commercial – Land uses where the primary activities on the developed parcels involve the sale or transfer of goods or services to consumers (e.g., business or professional buildings, shops, restaurants, theaters, vehicle repair shops, etc.)
  • Mixed urban – Land uses where high-density residential, industrial, and/or commercial land uses predominate collectively (i.e., are intermixed)
  • Public transportation stations – Facilities or sites where public transit agencies’ vehicles load or unload passengers or goods (e.g., bus stations and stops)

Priority Projects:

  • Residential subdivision of 10 housing units.
  • Commercial and industrial developments greater than or equal to 5,000 square feet.
Please refer to the Stormwater Fee Schedule for details about the fees and rates for these services. Fees are revised annually by City Council based on inflation, indices, and studies.
Stormwater Quality Control Criteria Plan

The following documents are required for new development and significant redevelopment projects subject to the 2020 Stormwater Quality Control Criteria Plan (SWQCCP).

  • 2020 SWQCCP Treatment Device Access and Maintenance Agreement.
  • Stormwater Volume Reduction Requirement calculator.
  • Stormwater Quality Control Plan.
  • Stormwater Maintenance Plan.
  • Frequently Asked Questions.

Construction Stormwater Regulations and Best Management Practices

  • For an overview of the Federal, State, and local stormwater regulations, please review the City and County of San Joaquin Construction Training.
  • City of Stockton Best Management Practices for all construction sites.
  • San Joaquin County Flood Control & Water Conservation District Stormwater Program website.
  • Virtual workshop presented by the City and the San Joaquin County Department of Public Works for developers, planners, and engineers:
Industrial Activities
Industrial Stormwater Program

The City of Stockton Stormwater Program works with local industries to prevent stormwater pollution through:

  • Inspections of industrial sites
  • Record review of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) annual reports, and conditions of acceptance
  • Wet and dry weather sampling
  • Complaint investigation

Industrial companies may require authorization under an NPDES industrial stormwater permit for stormwater discharges.

Industrial Stormwater Program

The Industrial Storm Water General Permit Order 97-03-DWQ (Construction General Permit) is an NPDES permit that regulates discharges associated with 10 broad categories of industrial activities.

The General Industrial Permit requires the implementation of management measures to achieve:

  • Performance standard of best available technology economically achievable (BAT)
  • Best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT)

The General Industrial Permit also requires:

  • development of SWPPP and monitoring plan to identify sources of pollutants and describe the means to manage the sources to reduce stormwater pollution and
  • an annual report submitted each July 1.

Facility operators may be able to participate in a group monitoring program.

State Water Resources Control Board - Stormwater Permits
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans

Consolidated Storm Drainage Maintenance Assessment District No. 2005-1
Proposed 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Budget for Industrial Basins
2022-2023 Fiscal Year Budget for Industrial Basins
2021-2022 Fiscal Year Budget for Industrial Basins
Last Update : 03/26/2024, 10:05:39 AM