Image
Title

Storm Water Management Program (SWMP)

Sidebar Widgets

The federal Clean Water Act’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II regulations govern storm water discharges from small municipalities that operate storm drain systems. The State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board), and the Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB), are responsible for implementation of NPDES regulations for the City of Santa Barbara.

The City's Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) details how the City will protect water quality by listing a series of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Measurable Goals that the City must meet each year. The City of Santa Barbara has been implementing a SWMP since 2006 in compliance with the Water Board’s Permit.

Visit the State Water Resources Control Board.

Storm Water Requirements for Development/Redevelopment Projects

Often referred to as "SWMP Requirements," development and redevelopment projects within the City of Santa Barbara are required to install permanent storm water protection best management practices (BMPs) as described in the City's Storm Water BMP Technical Guidance Manual (TGM). A summary spreadsheet detailing the changes to the TGM adopted in 2020 and a list of exemptions and partial exemptions (Appendix J) is available below, as well as the previous (2013) version of the TGM. 

View our Frequently Asked Questions for more information on storm water requirements.

Storm Water BMP Technical Guidance Manual