BMP Design Manual

County of Orange BMP Design Manual

The County of Orange (County) is subject to two Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits issued by the Santa Ana and San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Boards.  Both permits require the County to implement land development programs to ensure new development and significant redevelopment projects comply with post-construction BMP regulations.  The County BMP Design Manual was created to fulfill these requirements and provide guidance to developers on drafting Water Quality Management Plans (WQMPs).  This combination of documents is unique to the County and comprises its "BMP Design Manual" pursuant to Section X.II (Santa Ana) and Provision F.2.b (San Diego) region MS4 permits.  The Orange County Flood Control District (OCFCD) does not have land use authority over its jurisdiction; however, it does proactively implement development planning permit requirements for priority projects where applicable. The County of Orange BMP Manual consists of the following elements: 

• Local Implementation Plan - Section A-7 -This section describes how the County conditions land development projects to meet the applicable elements in both the Santa Ana and San Diego Region MS4 permit jurisdictions.
• When is a Water Quality Management Plan Required?
• Private Property Water Quality Application Flow Chart
• Priority Development Project Checklist - This checklist was developed to assist project proponents in determining if their project meets the criteria of a priority project, thus requiring a Project WQMP. The following region-specific documents provide uniform technical guidance, criteria and templates needed to prepare a Project WQMP.
• Determine which regional jurisdiction your property/project is located. Click here to use this link and your address to find out!

Santa Ana Region Guidance (North Orange County)

Describe uniform criteria and procedures that apply to development of a Project WQMP in North Orange County.

• North OC Technical Guidance Document (TGD)
• Model WQMP
• Worksheets
• WQMP Templates
  • Priority Project
  • Non-Priority Project
  • County of Orange WQMP Template
  • WQMP Plan Checker Checklist
• County of Orange Water Quality BMP Covenant Recordation Process
  • Covenant Agreement Recordation Guidance
  • Covenant and Agreement Template

San Diego Region Guidance

Describe uniform criteria and procedures that apply to development of a Project WQMP in South Orange County.

• South OC Technical Guidance Document (TGD)
• Model WQMP
• Worksheets
• Hydromodification Management Plan
• WQMP Templates
  • Private Property WQMP Template
  • County of Orange WQMP Template
  • WQMP Plan Checker Checklist
• County of Orange Water Quality BMP Covenant Recordation Process
  • Covenant Agreement Recordation Guidance
  • Covenant and Agreement Template

Additional information on the development permitting process can be found at the OC Development Services Website.