Businesses

Can Protect Water Quality

The City of Santee owns and operates a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) which conveys untreated storm water runoff and non-storm water runoff to the San Diego River and ultimately to the Pacific Ocean. In 2013, the State of California issued the National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems Permit, Order No. R9-2013-0001 (Permit) which requires the City to implement a program to eliminate pollutants from runoff that enters the storm drain system. The Permit also requires the City to complete routine industrial and commercial business inspections. During the inspection City or contract staff assess businesses for compliance with local ordinances, permits, and implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) 

Inspections are conducted to confirm that your business is reducing or eliminating pollutants from entering the storm drain system to comply with the Permit.  Inspections primarily consist of assessing outdoor areas and discussing routine housekeeping procedures with your staff. Verification of coverage under the Statewide Industrial General Permit, will be assessed if applicable. Businesses are inspected at least once every five (5) years, although inspection frequency can be increased due to the potential of the facility or area to discharge non-stormwater and other pollutants, history of non-compliance with past stormwater inspections, or in response to valid public complaints. 

The City of Santee charges a stormwater inspection fee to help pay the costs associated with its stormwater program. Fees are assessed to the business and/or business license and mailed and/or emailed to the billing contact(s) on file. Please visit Santee’s Permitting & Licensing Portal for business licensing information. Note that fee amounts are based on the City’s Consolidated Fee Schedule and reflect no more than the cost to the City for conducting these inspections. Failure to pay the inspection fee is a violation of Santee Municipal Code (SMC) § 9.06.240 and could result in a rejection of license renewal and subjection to the City’s Enforcement Plan, including but not limited to Courtesy Notices, Notices of Violation, and/or Administrative Citations. Monetary penalties can be assessed in accordance with SMC § 1.08.020 to the order of: 

$100.00 per violation per day for the first violation within 12 months;
$200.00 per violation per day for the second violation within 12 months;
$500.00 per violation per day for the third violation within 12 months;
$1,000.00 per violation per day for the fourth and any additional violations within 12 months. 

Corrective Action Response

A Corrective Action Response (CAR) is a written response submitted to the city, which acknowledges the violation(s), states corrective measures taken, and describes preventative measures to be implemented. CARs are typically required by sites where violations of the municipal code have been overserved, and must be submitted to the city within a given time frame in order to close-out the inspection. A CAR must always include documentation of employee training and supporting documentation, such as photos and service records.

CAR Materials:

• CAR Example 1
• CAR Example 2
• Storm Water Training Template

Note: The City of Santee asks that you maintain sign-in sheet and training material records for future inspections.

Industrial General Permit

In addition to the resources provided above, industrial businesses are typically required to obtain an Industrial General Industrial Permit (IGP) from the State Water Resources Control Board. implement Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), take water quality samples, and submit annual reports. To see if your business should have an IGP, review the following and/or and visit the State Water Board's Industrial Webpage.

For more information on the Industrial General Permit:

• Complying with IGP
• Legally Responsible Person Registration
• No Exposure Certification
• Regulated SIC Codes