Storm Water Management Program (SWMP)

Effective storm water management involves modifying developed areas to reduce runoff by capturing storm water (rain) and allowing it to soak into the ground (infiltration) on site. Benefits of infiltrating storm water include:

• Slowing runoff reduces peak flows in our creeks and lowers the risk of flooding.
• As water soaks into the ground it provides water for plants, recharges groundwater, and helps sustain creek flow during dry periods.
• Water is treated naturally as it moves slowly through the soil toward creeks and groundwater.

Homeowners, commercial property owners, and developers play a critical role in protecting and enhancing the health of our creeks and ocean by incorporating storm water management in their landscape and project designs. These Best Management Practices (BMPs) can include directing runoff from impervious areas (roofs, driveways, parking lots) into cisterns, landscaped areas, rain gardens, and other permeable areas. 

Over time, the City of Santa Barbara has become more developed ("built out"), leading to substantial increases in impervious (hard) surfaces like roads, roofs, driveways, and parking lots. During redevelopment (remodels), building footprints often expand and permeable surfaces (soil, gardens, lawns) shrink, leading to an increase in runoff. On properties that are developed "lot line to lot line" with buildings and hardscape, the surface can be up to 100% impervious, and nearly all rain flows off site into storm drains, creeks, and the ocean.

The series of aerial images below show the La Cumbre Plaza area before, during, and after urban development and paving, demonstrating a dramatic increase in impermeable surfaces.

In undeveloped areas, storm water (rain) soaks into the ground instead of quickly flowing into storm drains and creeks. Soil acts as a natural filter, infiltrating the rainwater.

The graph below demonstrates what happens to stream flow during a rain storm in undeveloped areas (dashed teal line) compared to urban areas (solid purple line). Not only is there more runoff, but it reaches waterways much faster, leading to higher peak flows and increased chance of flooding.

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 Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) are responsible for oversight of these regulations for the City of Santa Barbara. The City of Santa Barbara has been implementing a SWMP since 2006 in compliance with the Water Board’s Permit. 

The City's Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) details how the City will protect creek and ocean water quality through a series of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Measurable Goals that the City must meet each year. BMPs include community outreach and education, water quality monitoring and research, and good housekeeping at City facilities. In addition, the City must to meet SWMP requirements for public projects.

The Creeks Division's Sustainable Storm Water Rebate Program provides rebates to encourage voluntary storm water projects and products including rain barrels, rain gardens, disconnecting downspouts, and removal of pavement. 

Please note: These rebates are intended for voluntary installation of storm water capture measures. Installed measures receiving rebates are not eligible for demonstrating compliance with mandatory SWMP requirements.