Chapter 15.40
CHANNELS
Sections:
15.40.020 Maintenance—Owner Responsibilities.
15.40.030 Placing Obstructions, Refuse and Contaminating Substances in Channels Prohibited.
15.40.040 Bridges and Dip Crossing Permitted.
15.40.020 Maintenance—Owner Responsibilities.
The owner of any natural watercourse, swale or manmade drainage channel shall maintain the same free of any vegetation, rubbish or other obstructions to the extent necessary so that the natural flow will not be impeded at any time. The word “owner” means the owner of the land traversed by such watercourse, swale, or drainage channel and any person in lawful possession thereof. When any such watercourse, swale or drainage channel flows in an easement granted for such purpose and the grantee has improved such watercourse, swale or drainage channel, the word “owner” shall mean both the person, firm, corporation or public body owning such easement and the property owner. (Ord. 13-6 § 8 (Exh. G), 5/28/13)
15.40.030 Placing Obstructions, Refuse and Contaminating Substances in Channels Prohibited.
A. It is unlawful for any person, corporation, or other entity to place or cause to be placed within a floodway, or in the channel, bed, or on the bank of any river, stream, wash or arroyo in the City, or within the floodplain of such river, stream, wash or arroyo if a floodway designation has not been adopted, or within or upon any floodway or any flood-control channel, reservoir, debris basin, spreading ground, or any property over which the Los Angeles County Flood Control District has an easement or fee title thereto for flood and/or conservation purposes duly recorded in the office of the county recorder, any wires, fence, building or other structure, or any refuse, rubbish, tin cans or other matter that may impede, retard, or change the normal direction of the flow of the flood, storm, and other waters in such river, stream, wash, arroyo, floodway, floodplain, flood-control channel, reservoir, debris basin or spreading ground, or that may catch or collect debris carried by such waters, or that may be carried downstream by such waters to the damage or detriment of either private or public property within or adjacent to such river, stream, wash, arroyo, floodway, floodplain, flood-control channel, reservoir, debris basin, or spreading ground or that will deteriorate the quality of water flowing or stored therein or that which is stored within the water-bearing zones underground.
B. As used herein, “floodplain” means the lowlands adjoining natural watercourses which will be covered by water during flood events. (Ord. 13-6 § 8 (Exh. G), 5/28/13)
15.40.040 Bridges and Dip Crossing Permitted.
This chapter does not prohibit the construction or maintenance of dip crossings of natural drainage courses on private property if such dip crossings:
A. Do not change the stream flow characteristics to the detriment of upstream, downstream or adjacent properties;
B. Are constructed from materials obtained in the adjacent stream bed, except for culvert pipe, asphaltic concrete, and Portland cement concrete paving;
C. Do not violate any provision of the Fire Code, as amended;
D. Do not sever any bicycle, equestrian, pedestrian or special trail of the City; and
E. Comply with all Federal, State and local regulations. (Ord. 13-6 § 8 (Exh. G), 5/28/13)
15.40.060 Violation—Penalty.
Any person, firm, corporation, municipality or district, or any officer or agent of firm, corporation, municipality or district violating any provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 13-6 § 8 (Exh. G), 5/28/13)