California Code
CHAPTER 1 - Licensing by Cities
Section 16000.3.

16000.3. (a) When applying to a city for an initial business license, equivalent instrument, or permit, or renewal thereof, a person who conducts a business operation that is a regulated industry, as defined in Section 13383.5 of the Water Code, shall demonstrate enrollment with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program by providing all of the following information, under penalty of perjury, on the initial business license, equivalent instrument, or permit, or renewal thereof, application:

(1) The name and location of facilities operated by the person who conducts that business.

(2) All primary Standard Industrial Classification Codes, as defined in Section 25244.14 of the Health and Safety Code, for the business.

(3) Any of the following for each facility operated by the person of that business:

(A) The stormwater permit number, known as the Waste Discharger Identification number (WDID), issued for the facility by the State Water Resources Control Board.

(B) The WDID application number issued for the facility by the State Water Resources Control Board.

(C) The “notice of nonapplicability” (NONA) identification number issued for the facility by the State Water Resources Control Board.

(D) The “no exposure certification” (NEC) identification number issued for the facility by the State Water Resources Control Board.

(b) Prior to the issuance or renewal of the business license, equivalent instrument, or permit, the city shall determine whether any of the primary Standard Industrial Classification Codes are applicable to a General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities Excluding Construction Activities, as referenced in Section 13383.5 of the Water Code, and if applicable, the city shall confirm that the WDID, WDID application number, NONA, or NEC corresponds to the business requesting the initial business license or business license renewal. To determine whether any of the primary Standard Industrial Classification Codes are applicable to a General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities Excluding Construction Activities, as referenced in Section 13383.5 of the Water Code, the city may use information provided by the State Water Resources Control Board, including information posted pursuant to Section 13383.10 of the Water Code for these purposes. To confirm the WDID, WDID application number, NONA, or NEC, the city shall only need to keep record of the applicable documentation.

(c) The city shall transfer compliance information received in subdivision (a) to the State Water Resources Control Board as requested by the board. The city shall make the identification number provided in the applicable documentation available to the public upon request in a manner consistent with the procedures of the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code).

(d) For business license, equivalent instrument, or permit renewals, a city may develop a provisional license procedure that provides businesses three months to comply with the requirements of this section.

(e) “City” includes a charter city and a charter city and county.

(f) This section shall apply to applications for initial business licenses, equivalent instruments, or permits, and renewals thereof, submitted on and after January 1, 2020.

(g) This section shall not apply to a city that does not issue or renew, or have an application process for issuing or renewing, business licenses, equivalent instruments, or permits that include a business license.

(h) This section shall not be construed to impose any additional liability on a city under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program for nonenrollment under a General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities Excluding Construction Activities by a person who conducts a business operation that is a regulated industry, as defined in Section 13383.5 of the Water Code.

(i) For purposes of this section, a business license, equivalent instrument, or permit includes a business license, equivalent instrument, or permit issued solely for the purpose of raising revenue.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 678, Sec. 1. (SB 891) Effective January 1, 2023.)