Updated Draft CII Stormwater Permit: Public Hearing - July 23rd

The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board has released an updated draft of the proposed Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional (CII) Stormwater General Permit. While the overall permit structure and watersheds applicability remain the same, the latest draft extends several compliance deadlines, clarifies permit applicability, expands documentation requirements, and strengthens stormwater management expectations. Regardless of the Compliance Option chosen, all facilities subject to the CII permit have initial actions to take, including developing a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), submitting Permit Registration Documents (PRDs), and performing initial sampling. 

The public hearing is scheduled for July 23, 2026, and the Regional Board will accept oral comments only before considering adoption of the permit. Understanding the proposed changes now can help your property prepare for future compliance.

Key changes from the previous draft permit:

1. Extended compliance deadlines: The updated draft provides facilities with additional time to meet several key requirements.

   1. Initial stormwater sampling deadline is extended from 12 months to 18 months after enrollment.

   2. Notice of Intent (NOI) and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) remain due within 12 months, with clearer language on the required submittal sequence.

   3. Compliance Option documentation must now be submitted within 6 months after the selected option becomes available, replacing the previous fixed three-year deadline.

2. Clarified Applicability

   1. Clarified applicability for No Exposure Certification (NEC) and No Outdoor Activities (NONA) facilities.

   2. Clearer direction on facilities partially covered by other NPDES permits.

   3. Confirmation that facilities covered under an individual NPDES permit that is at least as stringent as the CII Permit are exempt from enrollment.

   4. Additional guidance for Notices of Termination (NOTs), including ownership transfers, residential redevelopment, and revisions to Permit Registration Documents (PRDs).

3. Stronger Non-Stormwater Discharges (NSWDs) Discharge Requirements: Facilities must:

   1. Minimize contact between pollutants.

   2. Reduce discharge volume to the extent practicable.

   3. Ensure NSWDs do not cause or contribute to water quality exceedances.

4. Expanded SWPPP Requirements: Facilities selecting a compliance option must update their SWPPP accordingly. The draft also provides clearer expectations for:

   1. Good housekeeping;

   2. Exposure minimization;

   3. Employee training;

   4. Monitoring requirements;

   5. Design criteria (Attachments E and I)

5. More Detailed Compliance Options: All three compliance options require additional documentation.

   1. Option 1 – Regional Project Funding: Added Watershed Management Group verification and signatures.

   2. Option 2 – Property -Specific Design Standard: Expanded design verification requirements.

   3. Option 3 – Direct Demonstration: More detailed Monitoring and Reporting Plan requirements.

6. Clearer Monitoring Requirements: The monitoring section has been reorganized to clarify:

   1. Sampling event visual observations;

   2. Reporting timelines;

   3. Site-specific monitoring plans

Need assistance? Our team is actively tracking the draft permit and can help evaluate how the proposed requirements may affect your property and prepare you for implementation once the permit is finalized.

Contact: Elliott Ripley at eripley@algcorp.com or 805-764-6004