Summary: Special Events BMPs for stormwater, flier for BMPs,
For additional information contact Stormwater: (253) 770-3364 or (253) 841-5498
Courtesy of San Marcos, CA
Preventative Maintenance
ï“ Inspect equipment & vehicles frequently; clean-up leaks
& spills immediately.
ï“ Prior to event, locate & protect drainage points using
storm drain protection devices, i.e., gravel bags, fabric
filters, berms, containment booms, etc.
ï“ Label or place signs at, around or adjacent to, storm drains
stating: “No Dumping†or other pollution prevention
messages.
ï“ Inspect storm drains during event to prevent pollutants
from accumulating.
Materials Storage and Handling
ï“ Store materials in covered areas not exposed to rain.
ï“ Keep all storage areas clean to prevent pollutant
accumulation.
ï“ Do not store materials over and /or next to a storm drain.
Waste Management
ï“ Frequently inspect trash & recycling receptacles to
prevent overflow. Place trash inside dumpsters or plastic
bags until it can be removed.
ï“ Dumpsters must be kept closed when not in use.
ï“ Bag ALL food waste.
ï“ Never place liquid waste, leaky bags, or hazardous waste
in compactors, dumpsters or trash bins.
Good Housekeeping
ï“ Use dry cleanup methods first. Never use a water hose or
pressure washing system to cleanup spills. Use mops,
booms, or wire brushes to clean sidewalks, pavement, &
other paved surfaces. Wash water must be disposed of
into the sanitary sewer & never storm drains.
ï“ Minimize use of cleaning solutions & chemical agents.
ï“ Keep site free of litter. Place trash & recycling receptacles
around the site to minimize litter.
Staff & Vendor Training
ï“ Discuss & distribute information about stormwater
pollution prevention during staff training & vendor
registration. The city can provide documentation to assist
with outreach materials.
Food Preparation
ï“ Food Vendors must have spill kits in or adjacent to their
work area. Spill kits include: absorbent pads, sock and/or
granular material. All spill materials must be promptly
cleaned up & disposed of properly.
ï“ All tented food vendors will protect the pavement with a
tarp, absorbents, plywood or all three to prevent any
staining of the pavement.
Temporary Restroom Stations
ï“ Temporary restrooms must be placed away from
locations that have potential to impact the storm drain
system.
ï“ All temporary restrooms are required to have a secondary
containment or additional BMP’s to contain possible
overflow or spilling.
Post Event Cleanup
ï“ All streets, sidewalks & public areas must be cleaned &
returned to pre-event condition.
ï“ Remove temporary public art (chalk, paint, charcoal, clay
etc.) using dry clean-up methods only. A cleanup plan will
need to be submitted to the city if an event includes chalk
art.
ï“ If a street sweeper will be used, ensure they are onsite
promptly after the event.
ï“ Assign an appropriate number of staff members to
promptly & adequately cleanup after the event.
ï“ After the site has been cleaned, storm drains containment
& protection devices must be removed.
Additional Information
ï“ The city conducts, at random, stormwater compliance
inspections of special events within the city. Inspections
include a pre-event inspection to determine BMP’s
effectiveness & a post-event inspection to ensure proper
site clean-up. Inspection results may include additional
requirements to comply with the stormwater regulations.
An additional cost may apply to cover the cost of
inspection if event is outside of regular business hours.
The applicant will be notified of any additional inspection
fees prior to permit approval.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) are procedures and practices all special event organizers are required to implement to
prevent pollutants from entering storm drains. Below is a list of required BMPs for all special events. In some cases, size, location,
number of participants and other relevant factors, could require additional BMPs or an Event Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Plan (ESP3). Applicants will be informed if an ESP3 is required for your permit to be issued. Stormwater staff is available to assist
with developing BMP’s for your specific special event.
Special Events
Required Stormwater Best Management Practices
Updated 1/1/2020
Courtesy of San Marcos, CA
Preventative Maintenance
ï“ Inspect equipment & vehicles frequently; clean-up leaks
& spills immediately.
ï“ Prior to event, locate & protect drainage points using
storm drain protection devices, i.e., gravel bags, fabric
filters, berms, containment booms, etc.
ï“ Label or place signs at, around or adjacent to, storm drains
stating: “No Dumping†or other pollution prevention
messages.
ï“ Inspect storm drains during event to prevent pollutants
from accumulating.
Materials Storage and Handling
ï“ Store materials in covered areas not exposed to rain.
ï“ Keep all storage areas clean to prevent pollutant
accumulation.
ï“ Do not store materials over and /or next to a storm drain.
Waste Management
ï“ Frequently inspect trash & recycling receptacles to
prevent overflow. Place trash inside dumpsters or plastic
bags until it can be removed.
ï“ Dumpsters must be kept closed when not in use.
ï“ Bag ALL food waste.
ï“ Never place liquid waste, leaky bags, or hazardous waste
in compactors, dumpsters or trash bins.
Good Housekeeping
ï“ Use dry cleanup methods first. Never use a water hose or
pressure washing system to cleanup spills. Use mops,
booms, or wire brushes to clean sidewalks, pavement, &
other paved surfaces. Wash water must be disposed of
into the sanitary sewer & never storm drains.
ï“ Minimize use of cleaning solutions & chemical agents.
ï“ Keep site free of litter. Place trash & recycling receptacles
around the site to minimize litter.
Staff & Vendor Training
ï“ Discuss & distribute information about stormwater
pollution prevention during staff training & vendor
registration. The city can provide documentation to assist
with outreach materials.
Food Preparation
ï“ Food Vendors must have spill kits in or adjacent to their
work area. Spill kits include: absorbent pads, sock and/or
granular material. All spill materials must be promptly
cleaned up & disposed of properly.
ï“ All tented food vendors will protect the pavement with a
tarp, absorbents, plywood or all three to prevent any
staining of the pavement.
Temporary Restroom Stations
ï“ Temporary restrooms must be placed away from
locations that have potential to impact the storm drain
system.
ï“ All temporary restrooms are required to have a secondary
containment or additional BMP’s to contain possible
overflow or spilling.
Post Event Cleanup
ï“ All streets, sidewalks & public areas must be cleaned &
returned to pre-event condition.
ï“ Remove temporary public art (chalk, paint, charcoal, clay
etc.) using dry clean-up methods only. A cleanup plan will
need to be submitted to the city if an event includes chalk
art.
ï“ If a street sweeper will be used, ensure they are onsite
promptly after the event.
ï“ Assign an appropriate number of staff members to
promptly & adequately cleanup after the event.
ï“ After the site has been cleaned, storm drains containment
& protection devices must be removed.
Additional Information
ï“ The city conducts, at random, stormwater compliance
inspections of special events within the city. Inspections
include a pre-event inspection to determine BMP’s
effectiveness & a post-event inspection to ensure proper
site clean-up. Inspection results may include additional
requirements to comply with the stormwater regulations.
An additional cost may apply to cover the cost of
inspection if event is outside of regular business hours.
The applicant will be notified of any additional inspection
fees prior to permit approval.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) are procedures and practices all special event organizers are required to implement to
prevent pollutants from entering storm drains. Below is a list of required BMPs for all special events. In some cases, size, location,
number of participants and other relevant factors, could require additional BMPs or an Event Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Plan (ESP3). Applicants will be informed if an ESP3 is required for your permit to be issued. Stormwater staff is available to assist
with developing BMP’s for your specific special event.
Special Events
Required Stormwater Best Management Practices
Updated 1/1/2020
