Action Item #12D
2026 City of Encinitas
BMP Design Manual Update
Jaylee McDowell, Principal Engineer
City Council Meeting
August 19, 2026
Recommendation
2 Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-62 titled, “A
Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, CA, Adopting the 2026 Update to the Stormwater Best
Management Practice (BMP) Design Manual”
What are Best Management Practices (BMPs)?
Purpose of BMPS
• Designed to prevent or reduce pollutant discharges into the storm drain system and natural waterways
• Required by the regional board under the City’s Municipal Stormwater Permit to ensure water-quality protection
Types of BMPS
• Source Control BMPs (e.g.., trash enclosures, stencils on drain lines) • Site Design/Low Impact Development (LID) BMPs (e.g., swales, landscaping)
• Structural Treatment BMPs (e.g., biofiltration basins) ➢ See next slide
3 Typical Structural BMP
4 Background
Regulatory Foundations
• 2013 Municipal Stormwater Permit
• Local implementation through the City’s BMP
Design Manual
Prior Manual Updates
• 2016 BMP Design Manual established
framework
• 2023 BMP Design Manual included technical
updates
5 Key Policy Change
6 Project Type Current City
Manual
Proposed City
Manual
Regional Permit
& All Regional
Agencies
Basic Project Does Not Exist Does Not Exist
All Other Regional Agencies
Standard Project X X
Encinitas
Standard Project Does Not Exist Does Not Exist
Priority Development Project
(PDP) X X
Public Engagement Process
7 • Public comment period (City Website)
• Opened June 1, 2026
• Closed June 30, 2026
• Public notice issued June 5, 2026
(Coast News)
• June 11, 2026, Environmental
Commission recommended the
updated manual as proposed be
brought to City Council for approval.
Overall Impact
8 • Consistent with Regional Permit
and all other jurisdictions
• Removes undo burden on small
residential developments
• No reduction in environmental
protection or MS4 compliance
• Clearer, more sustainable BMP
requirements
• Easier, more predictable
compliance
• More effective application of
site-design practices
AI Generated Example of Site Design BMP Implementation
Example Project
9 Scope
Driveway repair to alleviate flooding concerns,
replaced stairs and patio in Cardiff
New and/or Replaced Impervious Area
1,000 SF
BMP Requirements
Current
City
Manual
Proposed
City
Manual
Site Design BMPs
(e.g., landscaping) Yes Yes
Structural BMP
(e.g., bioretention area) Yes No
Site Plan
Recommendation
10 Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-62 titled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, CA, Adopting the 2026 Update to the Stormwater Best
Management Practice (BMP) Design Manual”
2026 City of Encinitas
BMP Design Manual Update