Stormwater

What to Avoid

• Blowing or hosing leaves, soil, or grass clippings into the street.
• Applying fertilizer or pesticides before rain.
• Mixing chemicals near gutters.

Proper Disposal

• Place yard waste in your green waste bin.
• Compost clippings when possible.
• Take unused pesticides or herbicides to the City's Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Site.

Important Guidlines

• Leave a one-foot buffer between landscaped areas and pavement when applying fertilizers or pesticides.
• Follow label instructions and use the minimum amount necessary.

What to Avoid

• Discharging pool, spa, or fountain water into the street, gutter, catch basin, or storm drain.
• Cleaning filters in the street or over a drain.

Proper Disposal

• Water must be discharged to the sanitary sewer, the wastewater system that carries water from homes and businesses to the City’s treatment plant.
• In most homes, this means draining into household plumbing such as a sink, tub, or floor drain connected to the sewer system.

Important Guidelines

• Stop adding chlorine and allow levels to drop before draining.
• Drain slowly to prevent plumbing or system issues.
• Dechlorinated spa water may be discharged to landscaping only if it fully soaks into the ground and does not run off to the street.

What to Avoid

• Allowing soapy water to flow into the street.
• Leaving oil or automotive fluid leaks untreated.
• Pouring oil or antifreeze onto the ground.
• Dumping RV sewage or gray water into a storm drain.

Proper Disposal

• Wash vehicles at a commercial car wash when possible.
• If washing at home, use minimal soap and direct water to landscaped areas.
• Recycle used motor oil and antifreeze at certified collection centers.
• Use absorbent materials (such as kitty litter) to clean small spills.
• Dispose of RV sewage and gray water only at an approved RV dump station.

Important Guidelines

• Inspect vehicles regularly for leaks.
• Use drip pans to catch fluids where vehicles are parked.
• Never discharge wastewater, including RV waste, into streets, gutters, or storm drains.

What to Avoid

• Rinsing paint, solvents, or concrete wash water into the street.
• Allowing saw-cut slurry or construction debris to reach gutters.

Proper Disposal

• Let small amounts of latex paint dry before placing in the trash.
• Take oil-based paints, solvents, and chemicals to the City's Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Site.
• Contain and collect concrete wash water for proper disposal.

Important Guidelines

• Use drop cloths during painting.
• Sweep debris instead of hosing it away.

What to Avoid

• Leaving pet waste on sidewalks or landscaping.
• Dumping mop water or greasy wastewater into the street.

Proper Disposal

• Bag pet waste and place it in the trash.
• Pour mop water into a sink or toilet connected to the sanitary sewer.
• Wipe up grease and dispose of it in the trash.

Rainwater that flows off roofs, driveways, and sidewalks can carry dirt and pollutants into the street. Managing rainwater on your property can reduce puddles, prevent erosion, and help keep pollutants out of the storm drain system by slowing it down, spreading it out, and allowing it to soak into the ground.

Slow It

Reduce how fast water leaves your property.

• Use a rain barrel to collect water from your roof.
• Point downspouts toward your yard instead of the driveway.
• Avoid overwatering your lawn and plants.

Spread It

Let water flow over planted areas instead of hard surfaces.

• Direct roof and yard drainage to garden beds.
• Create shallow dips in your yard so water can spread out.
• Keep plants and grass healthy to help absorb water.

Sink It

Help water soak into the ground instead of running into the street.

• Plant a rain garden in a low spot in your yard.
• Choose paving that lets water pass through it.
• Keep soil covered with plants or mulch.

Snapshot Day is the oldest and largest single-day annual water quality monitoring event in California. On the first Saturday in May, hundreds of volunteers join the Coastal Watershed Council and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary staff to collect scientifically valid water samples from rivers and streams that flow into the Sanctuary.

Volunteers measure things like dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, clarity, bacteria, and nutrients that help scientists, educators, and agencies understand how healthy our watersheds are and where improvements are needed.

Learn More

Every September, thousands of volunteers participate in Coastal Cleanup Day, one of the largest volunteer events of the year. Organized by Save Our Shores, this event brings community members together at multiple sites across the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to remove trash and debris from beaches, riverbanks, parks, and inland waterways.

This global effort helps protect marine and coastal ecosystems, prevent pollution from entering the ocean, and raise awareness about how litter affects water quality and wildlife.

Learn More

Save Our Shores hosts beach and river cleanups throughout the year at locations across Santa Cruz County. These free, volunteer-friendly events are open to individuals, families, schools, and community groups.

Cleanups provide a simple way to:

• Spend time outdoors with friends or family
• Remove litter before it reaches local waterways
• Learn more about watershed protection and marine debris

Volunteers help collect and record debris from beaches, riverbanks, and inland areas. Tracking what is collected helps inform future pollution prevention efforts and protects wildlife.

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The Clean Ocean Business Program recognizes vehicle service and food service facilities that follow best environmental practices to keep pollutants out of storm drains and local waterways.

Participating businesses demonstrate consistent pollution prevention practices, including proper waste handling, spill prevention, and responsible wash water management.

The program supports local efforts to protect Santa Cruz creeks, the San Lorenzo River, and coastal waters.

The Green Business Program recognizes businesses that go the extra mile to reduce their environmental footprint, prevent pollution, and conserve resources. Certified businesses demonstrate leadership by:

• Reducing water consumption.
• Retrofitting lighting and equipment to conserve energy.
• Minimizing waste and increasing recycling.
• Implementing practices that reduce pollution and protect worker health.

Learn More

Measure E, approved by voters in 2008, established a Clean River, Beaches, and Ocean Special Parcel Tax to create a dedicated local funding source for water quality protection. It ensures Santa Cruz can protect waterways and beaches while complying with environmental regulations. Measure E funds are used to:

• Maintain and improve the stormwater system.
• Meet State and Federal water quality requirements.
• Enforce pollution prevention standards for construction and development.
• Provide community education and outreach.
• Reduce pollution from homes, streets, and businesses.
• Monitor water quality in local creeks and the San Lorenzo River.

• Report Cover(PDF, 31KB)
• Table of Contents(PDF, 14KB)
• Chapter 1- Municipal Operations Program/Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping(PDF, 132KB)
• Chapter 2 - Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Program(PDF, 121KB)
• Chapter 3 - Public Participation Program(PDF, 48KB)
• Chapter 4 - Public Education Program(PDF, 72KB)
• Chapter 5 - Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control Program(PDF, 77KB)
• Chapter 6 - Post-Construction Storm Water Management Control Program(PDF, 134KB)
• Chapter 7 - Industrial Facilities Control Program(PDF, 36KB)
• Chapter 8 - Commercial Facilities Control Program(PDF, 51KB)
• Chapter 9 - Addressing TMDLs in the SWMP(PDF, 54KB)
• Chapter 10: SWMP Program Management(PDF, 22KB)

• City of Santa Cruz Waterways and Storm Drain System Map(PDF, 5MB)
• Pump Stations/Wet Wells Along the Lower San Lorenzo River Map(PDF, 953KB)

• Storm Water Ordinance (Chapter 16.19)
• Excavation and Grading Ordinance (Chapter 18.45)
• Zoning Ordinance (Title 24)