Commercial & Industrial Facility Best Management Practices (BMP's)

The City has identified minimum best management practices (BMPs) that are necessary to protect storm water quality.  All businesses operating in the City are required to follow these BMPs, which can be found in the  BMP Manual per Municipal Code No. 14.22.110 and 14.22.120.

The industrial and commercial inspection program ensures businesses and properties are in compliance with the City’s minimum BMPs and identifies potential pollutants at the site. Inspectors will educate owners, operators, and property managers of minimum BMPs that apply, and will make recommendations to help achieve compliance. Inspectors will primarily focus on areas that are exposed to the rain, and activities conducted outside. During a rain event, pollutants that are exposed will be washed into the street or a storm drain, which carry them into our rivers, creeks, and ocean. 

All areas of the City where industrial or commercial activities occur are required to be inspected at least once every 5 years.  More frequent inspections may occur based on past inspection results, or at the City’s discretion.

Understanding your Storm Water Inspection Report

If your facility has been inspected, an inspection summary report will be mailed to you.  Your inspection summary report will indicate whether or not violations were observed at your facility and whether or not documentation showing that the violations have been corrected must be submitted to the inspector to resolve your case.  Some example violations include: 

• Wash water, leaks and spills, or solid material from tenant activities observed in storm drains or in the street.
• Dirty grease bins and trash areas.
• Uncovered and/or uncontained hazardous materials or liquids.
• Large amounts of exposed materials.  
• Broken or inoperable dumpster lids. 

If your facility has received a Notice of Violation (NOV), you will be required to respond with compliance documentation by the deadlines indicated or face escalated enforcement.  The NOV will provide a summary of the observed deficiencies and will instruct you to provide documentation of the corrections.  The Inspection Follow-up flowchart portrays the timeline that businesses are given to respond.

If you have any questions regarding your inspection, please contact the Engineering Department at 619-336-4380 or Engineering@nationalcityca.gov.

Other Resources:

Restaurant Handout

Grease Bin Storage Handout

Preventing Urban Runoff Pollution

FOG Factsheet

Eliminating Landscape Irrigation Runoff Handout

Contact Information

Who To Call:
National City General Information (619) 336-4380
Storm Water Hotline (619) 336-4389
Household Toxic Waste 1-800-237-2583

To Report An Illicit Discharge or an illegal Discharge During Business Hours:
For Residential, Commercial and Industrial Activities or Construction Activities, call (619) 336-4389 for the Storm Water Hotline or contact Engineering & Public Works Department at (619) 336-4380 or (619) 336-4580.

To Report An Illicit Discharge After Business Hours:
Contact National Police Department non-emergency dispatch at 619-336-4411.

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