Stormwater Management
Development projects are required by National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to manage stormwater (rainwater) runoff to protect local waterways during construction and after construction. The County implements the NPDES requirements through its development review process to ensure local waterways meet pollution prevention and flow management requirements.
Stormwater discharges within Santa Clara County are regulated by two regional NPDES permits:
- San Francisco Bay Municipal Regional Permit (MRP 2.0)
- Phase II NPDES Permit (Central Coast)
Use this watershed map to determine which of the two regional watersheds your project is located and use the accompanying documents below.
For development projects located within the San Francisco Bay Watershed, use the following form and the associated stormwater management design guideline (requirements are changing on July 1, 2023):
- San Francisco Bay Watershed Questionnaire
- SCVURPPP’s C.3 Stormwater Handbook: Guidance for Implementing Stormwater Requirements for New Development and Redevelopment Projects
- Changes to Stormwater Treatment Requirements for New Development and Redevelopment Projects
- Stormwater Quality Control Requirements Overview
For development projects located within the Central Coast Watershed, use the following form and the associated stormwater management design guideline:
- Central Coast Watershed Questionnaire
- Stormwater Management Guidance Manual
- CCRWQCB Post Construction Requirements Information
For general stormwater management guidance, see the BASMAA’s Start at the Source: Design Guidance Manual for Stormwater Quality Protection.
Please see BMP O&M Agreement for a copy of the Best Management Practices Operations and Maintenance Agreement used throughout the County.
For additional informational on the County’s two NPDES permits or to report an illegal dumping or discharge, please refer to the County’s Clean Water Program website.
