Private Property Trash Management Inspection Program

To protect waterways including the San Francisco Bay (SF Bay), and to meet the City’s clean stormwater requirements, Oakland’s privately-owned properties must be managed to prevent trash from entering private storm drains that connect underground to the City’s storm drainage system. In response to a mandate from the SF Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board), the City of Oakland (City) will inspect such properties to evaluate the trash levels. Properties with moderate to very high trash levels will be required to consistently prevent trash from entering on-site private storm drainage systems. 

Stormwater from private property enters storm drain inlets and flows directly to local creeks and the Bay. Stormwater is often contaminated by pollutants that are deposited on land, like trash, and can be toxic to fish, wildlife, and people. Trash is a pollutant that impacts local creeks, rivers, and the Bay.

Trash is continuously seen throughout your property and there is a strong impression of lack of concern for litter.

Large piles of trash may be observed.

It would take an organized effort and a large group of people to remove all trash from the area, consistently requiring individuals to stop to pick up and remove the trash.

Roughly three times as much trash as a "C" level.