Post-Construction Stormwater Management - Operation and Maintenance

The City is required to track the long-term operation and maintenance of post-construction stormwater structural best management practices (BMPs) installed within the city limits. The Central Coast Post-Construction Requirements order the City to establish operation and maintenance plans with private stormwater system owners. The City records plans that comply with the Requirements, which document the existence of all structures and require maintenance and operation in perpetuity by any future owners.

Operation and Maintenance Process

Step 0: Stormwater Plan Application

Before completing Operation and Maintenance documents, please ensure that a Stormwater Plan Application has been completed for your project and that a SWP Permit number has been assigned.

If your project is determined to require a Stormwater Control Plan (SWCP) through completing the Stormwater Plan Application, use the SWCP template provided.

Step 1: Review Operation and Maintenance Plan Instructions

Private stormwater system owners may use one of two mechanisms for recording an Operation and Maintenance Plan. Most owners record an Agreement for their stormwater system, unless Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) are being developed for the project. Instructions for recording each type of Operation and Maintenance Plan are provided below:

All projects subject to Operation and Maintenance requirements will complete two (2) documentation packages:

  1. The Operation and Maintenance documents that will be recorded, including the recording document (Agreement or CC&Rs) and associated property legal description, Exhibit B tables and site map.
  2. The Operation and Maintenance Plans and Manual, including copies of the Exhibit B site map and tables, applicable BMP Maintenance Information Forms, Engineer Certification Form, a copy of the Annual Stormwater Inspection Cover Sheet, copies of applicable Inspection Forms, and copies of any manufacturers manuals for proprietary products.

The Operation and Maintenance Plans and Manual is not recorded, however, a copy should be provided to the property owner and a copy will remain on file at City Hall, referenced by the SWP case number.

Step 2: Complete Forms

Private stormwater system owners submit the following forms to the Community Development Department for review prior to recording an operation and maintenance plan:

The components of the system will either be centralized or decentralized, depending on the size of the drainage area. Applicants should reference the descriptions of system components to determine what type of structural BMPs must be recorded.

City staff must review and approve submitted forms prior to notarization.

Step 3: Submit Draft Form For Review

Applicants will submit the draft operation and maintenance plan for staff review. Applicants should not sign or notarize documents prior to review. Approved plans will be returned to the system owner for signature and notarization.

Step 4: Pay Fees

Staff will assign a stormwater permit (SWP) case number to the property associated with the project. This permit will be used to track the long-term operation of the system. Check the City's fee schedule (PDF) for current stormwater review fees.

Document recording fees will also be added for recording the operations and maintenance agreement at the Clerk Recorder's office.

Document recording fees will need to be calculated in accordance with the County Clerk Recorder's fee schedule for recording the Operations and Maintenance Agreement at the County Clerk Recorder's office. Include a check for the recording amount

Operation and Maintenance Plans and Manuals will be kept on file at the City.

Step 5: Return Notarized Documents

Once the Operations and Maintenance Agreement and Plans & Manuals are approved by the City, applicants will return a signed, notarized copy of the approved document for countersignature by the City. Following countersignature, City staff will record the document with the County Clerk Recorder.

Step 6: Certify Construction

The system design engineer must certify the construction of the stormwater system and submit the certification form prior to final of construction permits.

Step 7: Annual Inspections

The private stormwater system owner/operator annually submits the appropriate completed self-inspection forms along with the completed Stormwater Inspection Coversheet (PDF), to verify that the system is operating as designed and maintained in good condition. The appropriate self-inspection forms (listed below) should be included as an element in the plans and manuals provided to the owner/operator.