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1. What is Senate Bill 205?

Senate Bill 205 (SB 205) is a new California State law (effective January 1, 2020), which addresses the issues of stormwater pollution that remain unregulated by California’s clean water laws.  SB 205, requires a business or person applying to the City for a new/initial business license or a renewal business license to provide their Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code.  Businesses with a regulated SIC Code, processes and/or activities that have the potential to pollute stormwater, will be required to demonstrate compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Industrial General Permit (IGP).

2. How do I find the SIC Code for my business?

You can find the SIC Code for your business on the U.S. Department of Labor website using the following link:  U.S. Department of Labor SIC Code System Search.  Please note that finding the SIC Code for the business and providing it on new/initial business license application and renewal business license is required and the responsibility of the business license applicant.

3. How does SB 205 apply to all new/initial and renewal business license applicants?

The City is required to comply with SB 205, which applies to all new/initial and renewal business license applicants.  Effective January 1, 2020, prior to the City’s issuance of any new/initial and renewal business licenses, SB 205 requires:

1. All business license applicants to provide all primary Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)
    Codes, when applying for a new/initial business license or a renewal business license.
2. If applicable, all businesses with a Regulated SIC Code as determined by the SWRCB shall
    provide verification of enrollment in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
    (NPDES) Stormwater Industrial General Permit (IGP) Program.
3. All businesses with a Regulated SIC Code, must provide one of the following documents
     issued by the SWRCB to verify enrollment in the NPDES Stormwater IGP:

A. Waste Discharge Identification Number (WDID) issued for the business facility by the
     SWRCB.
B. WDID Application Number issued for the business facility by the SWRCB.
C. Notice of Non-Applicability (NONA) Identification Number issued for the business
     facility by the SWRCB.
D. No Exposure Certification (NEC) Identification Number issued for the business facility
     by the SWRCB.

4. The City to determine if the business operations, processes and SIC Code provided by the
    applicant on the new/initial and/or renewal business license application are regulated by the
    California SWRCB and applicable to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
    (NPDES) Stormwater Industrial General Permit (IGP).

4. Where can I find additional information about SB 205?

To view the full legal text of SB 205, please visit the State of California’s Legislative Information website using the following link: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov  and use the search to type in the Bill Number, “SB 205”.

5. Why has the City updated the business license application?

To comply with SB 205, prior to issuance of all new/initial business licenses and renewal business licenses, the City is required to determine if the business operations and SIC Code provided by the business license applicant are regulated by the SWRCB and applicable to the NPDES Stormwater Industrial General Permit (IGP).  Businesses with Regulated SIC Codes are required to verify enrollment in the NPDES Stormwater IGP by providing additional documentation.

6. Where can I find the City’s updated business license application?

1. The updated new/initial business license application can be completed electronically using the following link: Business License Application.
2. The signed, completed business license application must be submitted to the City for review to:

Community Development (1^st Floor)
14000 City Center Drive
Chino Hills, CA 91709

7. Why does the City need to review all new/initial business license and renewal business license applications?

To comply with SB 205, prior to issuance of all new/initial business licenses and renewal business licenses, the City is required to determine if the business operations and SIC Code provided by the business license applicant are regulated by the SWRCB and applicable to the NPDES Stormwater Industrial General Permit (IGP).  Businesses with Regulated SIC Codes are required to verify enrollment in the NPDES Stormwater IGP by providing additional documentation.

8. How do I know if my business has a Regulated SIC Code as determined by the California SWRCB?

The California SWRCB regulates over 10,000 industries and maintains an electronic list of Regulated SIC Codes.  You can determine if your business has a Regulated SIC Code(s) by using the following links:

SWRCB’s List of Regulated SIC Code Search:  Alphabetical
SWRCB’s List of Regulated SIC Code Search:  Numeric

9. How do I know if my business needs to enroll in the NPDES Stormwater Industrial General Permit (IGP) Program to comply with SB 205?

Only businesses with a Regulated SIC Code are required to obtain coverage and enroll in the NPDES Stormwater IGP Program.
If your business does have not a Regulated SIC Code the NPDES Stormwater IGP is not applicable.

10. What do I need to provide if my business has a Regulated SIC Code?

Only businesses with a Regulated SIC Code as determined by the California SWRCB are required to verify enrollment in the NPDES Stormwater IGP.  To comply with SB 205, businesses with a Regulated SIC Code will be required to verify enrollment in the NPDES Stormwater IGP by providing one of the following documents with the new/initial business license application and with each renewal business license application.  Please note that the requirement to provide the following is only applicable for a business with a Regulated SIC Code:

A. Waste Discharge Identification Number (WDID) issued for the business facility by the
     SWRCB.
B. WDID application issued for the business facility by the SWRCB.
C. Notice of Non-Applicability (NONA) issued for the business facility by the SWRCB.
D. No Exposure Certification (NEC) issued for the business facility by the SWRCB.

11. If my business has a Regulated SIC Code and does not have one of the required documents (WDID, NONA, or NEC) to verify enrollment in the NPDES Stormwater IGP, who should I contact?

In City businesses with a Regulated SIC Code as determined by the SWRCB that are unable to verify enrollment in the NPDES Stormwater IGP by providing one of the required documents (WDID, NONA or NEC) with the City’s business license application, should review the requirements for NPDES Stormwater IGP to ensure that the permit coverage is applicable and apply for Stormwater IGP coverage with the SWRCB using the links below:

Stormwater IGP - Notice of Intent FAQs 
Stormwater IGP - Program Information 
Stormwater IGP – Types of Coverage

For additional questions regarding Stormwater IGP requirements, please contact the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB).

Santa Ana RWQCB
Stormwater Program - Industrial Section
Address     3737 Main Street, Suite 500
Riverside, CA 92501-3348
Email        
Phone:       (951) 782-4130