Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) are permanent treatment devices designed to store excess runoff or remove pollutants from stormwater. The State of California’s water quality regulations require that certain types of development and redevelopment projects have BMPs onsite to remove pollutants from stormwater and reduce impacts to local water quality.

Vista Municipal Code 13.18.100 requires that owners, and operators of properties with stormwater BMPs conduct regular maintenance to ensure the functionality of the treatment devices. Property owners must complete an annual certification form to document that BMPs are functional. While the certification is completed annually, the BMPs must be maintained and functional year-round.

Consistent with State water quality regulations, the City of Vista implements an annual BMP certification and inspection program. Each summer, the City will send certification forms to all property owners/operators responsible for BMP devices located on site. Property owners are required to complete and return the form before the stated deadline. The form verifies that the BMPs are functional, and documents maintenance conducted on the BMP during the previous year.  Additionally, City representatives routinely conduct site inspections to confirm that the BMPs are being maintained properly. If BMPs at a property were inspected, results and any corrective actions are sent to the property owner along with the certification form.

Property owners are required to conduct routine maintenance and ensure BMP function. For more information on how BMPs are designed and maintained, please see the resource(s) below:

• Bioretention-Detention Basins  (Spanish)
• Drain Inserts   (Spanish)
• Pervious Pavement   (Spanish)
• Vegetated Swales   (Spanish) 

Permanent Site Design, Stormwater Treatment and Hydromodification Management requirements for new development are provided in the City of Vista BMP Design Manual. It is available here.

Contact

If you observe something being dumped into the storm drain or street or observe water running in the street when it is not raining, please report this to the Water Quality hotline at 760.643.2804, or use the online Report a Problem system, or email.