Stormwater Best Management Practices for Businesses

This factsheet contains general BMPs relating to refuse containers, storm drain inlets, outside areas, and spill response. All businesses are required to comply with these practices.

General BMPs for all businesses(PDF, 298KB)

This factsheet contains BMPs for animal service facilities, such as shelters, veterinary clinics, groomers, and boarding facilities. It outlines management practices to prevent stormwater pollution when housing and caring for animals and how to properly clean and dispose of animal waste. 

Animal Services BMPs(PDF, 496KB)

Food facilities are required to control their fats, oils, and grease (FOG). This includes restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, and other establishments that regularly use a kitchen or produce food waste. FOG are vegetable or animal products that are used in, or are a by-product of, the cooking or food preparation process. The City of Palo Alto is required by federal, state, and local laws to prevent FOG from entering the storm drain system, sanitary sewers, streets, or waterways. 

Visit the Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Requirements for Food Facilities webpage to learn more about the regulations, assistance for obtaining a permit for installing a grease control device, and for Food Facility BMPs.

This factsheet contains BMPs for mobile food vendors such as food trucks, catering trucks, coffee carts and street fair kiosks. It outlines best practices to prevent stormwater pollution when preparing food at outdoor events.

Mobile Food Vendors BMPs(PDF, 491KB)

This factsheet for landscaping professionals includes best management practices for landscaping, concrete, masonry, and tile work. The practices apply to the upkeep of residential and commercial properties and are designed to prevent yard trimmings, sediment, and other potential contaminants from entering the storm drain.

Landscaping Professionals BMPs(PDF, 825KB)

This factsheet contains BMPs for outdoor building maintenance activities at commercial buildings, such as multi-purpose buildings, apartment complexes, and offices. It outlines management practices to prevent stormwater pollution while painting and powering washing outside of buildings.

Outdoor Maintenance BMPs(PDF, 492KB)

This factsheet contains BMPs for facilities with a pool, spa, or fountain, such as hotels and multi-unit complexes. It outlines management practices to prevent stormwater pollution when conducting preventative maintenance and draining of pools, spas, and fountains.

Pools, Spas, and Fountains BMPs(PDF, 623KB)

This factsheet contains BMPs for vehicle service facilities, such as retail gasoline outlets, vehicle repair shops, and commercial car washes. The practices apply to vehicle services, including maintenance, fueling, and washing to prevent vehicle fluids, paint chips, cleaning products, and other potential contaminants from entering the storm drain system. 

Vehicle Services BMPs(PDF, 481KB)