How do I report a suspected illicit discharge in Simi Valley?

Contact the City of Simi Valley Public Works or use the stormwater complaint/report page to submit details and photos.

Are there permits that allow certain nonstormwater discharges?

Some discharges may be allowed under specific permits or variances; consult the city stormwater program and the municipal code for exemptions.

Simi Valley Storm Drain Illicit Discharge Rules

Utilities and Infrastructure California 4 Minutes Read · published February 21, 2026

Simi Valley, California requires property owners, businesses, contractors, and residents to prevent illicit discharges into the municipal storm drain system. This guide explains the local prohibition on unauthorized discharges, common violation types, how the city enforces rules, and practical steps to report, comply, and seek permits where applicable. It summarizes official sources, enforcement contacts, and application pathways so you can act quickly to avoid penalties and protect local waterways.

Scope and Prohibited Conduct

The City of Simi Valley prohibits any nonstormwater discharge to the storm drain system except those expressly authorized by permit or rule. Prohibited discharges generally include wastewater, motor oil, paints, sediments, accidental spills, and concentrated washwater from industrial or commercial activities. The municipal ordinance and stormwater program define prohibited discharges and exemptions; see the city code for exact language and definitions.^[1]

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is carried out by the City of Simi Valley Public Works and Code Compliance divisions, with support from the city stormwater program for investigations and referrals. Where the municipal code specifies fines, amounts and escalation steps appear in the ordinance and enforcement policies; where details are not explicitly listed on the cited municipal text, this guide notes that they are not specified on the cited page.^[1] Official complaint and inspection pathways are managed by the Public Works Department and the stormwater program.^[2]

Fines: not specified on the cited page; see municipal code for any stated amounts.^[1]
Escalation: first offence, repeat, and continuing violation procedures are described in enforcement sections of the code or administrative regulations; specific dollar ranges are not specified on the cited page.^[1]
Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work or abatement orders, corrective action directives, administrative citations, and referral to court for injunctive relief or abatement.
Enforcer and complaint pathway: City of Simi Valley Public Works / Stormwater Program; official complaint submission and inspection request pages are maintained by the city.^[2]
Appeals and review: appeals processes are available per the municipal code or administrative procedures; time limits for appeal are set in the code or the enforcement notice and may be noted on the enforcement form or citation (if not shown, not specified on the cited page).^[1]

Appeal deadlines and fine schedules must be checked on the specific enforcement notice or municipal code page.

Applications & Forms

Permits or authorizations for certain discharges (for example, construction stormwater permits or authorized dewatering) are administered at the city or regional level. Where the city publishes application names or forms, those are linked on the stormwater or public works pages; where no specific form is published for an exemption, it is not specified on the cited page.^[2]

Construction stormwater requirements: builders should follow required best management practices and any applicable permit from the State or regional permits.
Reporting spills and illicit discharges: use the city stormwater complaint/report form or phone contact listed by the Public Works Department.^[2]
Fees: application and inspection fees, if any, are published with the form or fee schedule; if a fee is not shown on the official page, it is not specified on the cited page.

Maintain records of spills, cleanup, and communications to reduce enforcement risk.

Common Violations

Allowing vehicle fluids (oil, coolant) to enter gutters or storm drains.
Improper construction site runoff and lack of erosion controls.
Improper disposal of paints, solvents, or wastewater to storm drains.

Action Steps

Report spills immediately to the City of Simi Valley Public Works stormwater contact.^[2]
For construction projects, implement BMPs and obtain any required permits before work begins.
If you receive a notice, read it for appeal deadlines and follow the instructions to request review.

FAQ

What is an illicit discharge?: An illicit discharge is any direct or indirect nonstormwater discharge to the storm drain system that is not authorized by permit or municipal rule.
How do I report a suspected illicit discharge in Simi Valley?: Contact the City of Simi Valley Public Works or use the stormwater complaint/report page to submit details and photos.
Are there permits that allow certain nonstormwater discharges?: Some discharges may be allowed under specific permits or variances; consult the city stormwater program and the municipal code for exemptions.

How-To

Identify and contain the source of the discharge to prevent further runoff.
Report the incident to the City of Simi Valley Public Works stormwater contact immediately with location and photos.^[2]
Follow city instructions for cleanup, provide remediation records, and implement BMPs to prevent recurrence.
If you receive enforcement, review the notice for appeal instructions and submit any appeal or corrective plan within the stated time limit.

Key Takeaways

Prevent and report illicit discharges quickly to reduce enforcement risk.
Public Works and the stormwater program enforce the rules and handle inspections.