INSPECTING BUSINESSES
Why does the City inspect businesses?
- Many types of businesses use methods and handle materials that could pollute storm water on a routine basis, such as oil, grease, solvents, landscaping materials and paint.
- The discharge of pollutants into storm water is not permitted and can violate local, state and federal laws. Business inspections seek to assist business owners in avoiding storm water violations and the pollution that accompanies them.
- Information on Best Management Practices (BMPs) to prevent storm water pollutants from leaving business sites is provided to the business owners/managers at the time of the inspection.
How often will a business be inspected?
- The City will inspect businesses, as directed by the City’s Municipal Permit, once during the current five (5) year permit term (2013-2018). Additional inspections may be required in new state permit terms.
- The use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for storm water pollution prevention at business sites are evaluated and rated as satisfactory, needs improvement, or unsatisfactory.
- If a business is found to be unsatisfactory when inspected, the City will work with the business to improve its practices, so it can be moved out of the unsatisfactory category.
Why is there an inspection fee and what is the fee the City Council has adopted?
- The business inspection program is a requirement of the State Water Resources Control Board and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Specific business types determined to be most likely to discharge storm water pollutants are identified by the state to be inspected.
- Preparing materials for distribution and conducting the inspections takes City staff time and imposes a cost on the City to meet this requirement. To recoup a portion of the inspection program cost, the City Council approved a fee for each inspection.
How is the business inspection program benefiting businesses and the City of Lompoc?
- The City’s business inspection program keeps the City in compliance with state law, assisting private property owners and business owners by identifying practices and materials to reduce potential liability for storm water pollutant discharges.
- Reducing urban pollutant discharges keep pollutants from entering surface water, groundwater, creeks, rivers and the ocean.
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