View Full Version : Southern California City Ordinance...
danforz
06-12-2007, 02:27 AM
So I`ve been trying to get a city license for my mobile business... this will accommodate my business in Beverly Hills, Ca...
So I heard on the phone today that *any* run off from washing your car that gets into the city drain is illegal. He specified copper fillings and oil as being bad for the environment if it got into the sewer. I told the city worker that I could avoid cleaning the engine and rims, thus avoiding brake dust and oil run off going into the sewer. He insisted that *any* run off, including the dust and dirt on the freaking paint getting into the flow is prohibited. :grrr :wall :wall :wall :wall :wall
Are you kidding me? Freaking Californian laws... anyways I guess I`ll have to switch completely to 100% rinseless car washing to avoid dealing with this crap. Anyways, curious if anyones dealt with this environmental nazi behavior before or knows of the laws in my area?
I`m going into a meeting with the gentleman tomorrow (Tuesday) at 2:00pm PST. Any insight prior to then would be helpful. I`ll update after I speak to the guy...
jtford95
06-12-2007, 03:58 AM
Good luck tomorrow. It sucks but it is a part of business, sometimes you got to do what you got to do. There is water reclaim systems you can look into as well. Joe
codiddy
06-12-2007, 04:33 AM
invest in this and then use all the damn water you please: Water Reclamation Systems (http://www.topoftheline.com/watrecsys1.html)
Yeah, just get a water reclamation system. I attend a lot of watershed meetings in Michigan and it is not just the grease and oil they are worried about. It is the soap and all of that jazz as well. It might not sound like a lot but remember if it was legal a lot of people would be doing it and it adds up fast. You don`t want that stuff polluting your local waterways.
Setec Astronomy
06-12-2007, 08:07 AM
Well, as Scottwax has been known to say, they`d better outlaw rain, too, because all that brake dust and leaking oil (and tire dust and leaking coolant & grease etc.) falls on the road all the time and is washed down the storm drains. However, I hear you Danase about the soap (not to mention wheel cleaners, degreasers, etc.)
To answer the OP`s question, yes, mobile detailers in CA (and elsewhere) have to deal with this and there have been plenty of threads...you may have to search a bit.
PTRon
06-12-2007, 09:46 AM
Do a search for "Wash Berm". Never mind, I found the link -
Wash Mats & Berms (http://www.detailgear.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=21)
It`s alot cheaper than the VacuBoom. Please note - I have never used either product, this is not an endorsement, just a heads-up.
Ron Harris
06-12-2007, 11:28 AM
It will only get worse!
I moved from California. The city of Orange will allow you to wash a car as long as the run off
goes in the grass or planter. If it pools then you must vacuum it up or sweep up the solids after it drys. It will vary from city to city. It`s part of the Clean Water Act.
You will have more problems with property managers then the city. They don`t like Detailers on the property unless you have insurance and list them as an additional insured.
Even then It is still a problem for some of them.
Envious Eric
06-12-2007, 12:08 PM
Onr Onr Onr
the other pc
06-12-2007, 12:50 PM
Dude, This is not a problem. It’s a GOLDMINE!
If the city of Beverly Hills wants zero runoff that’s their right (and federal law). And, considering their runoff goes straight into Santa Monica Bay, it’s a good idea too.
If they want to run all the guys who aren’t willing to comply out of town that leaves you, the one guy that follows the rules, alone, in freaking Beverly Hills!
PC.
kingDavid76
06-12-2007, 01:22 PM
Is it illegal to wash your car on your lawn of your home? So the water wont go down the
sewer? maybe we can work around the law, if you know what i mean.
danforz
06-12-2007, 02:11 PM
Onr Onr Onr
Thats what I`m thinking... ONR using 1 gallon spray bottle. How do I deal with thick nasty build up though?
jimmybuffit
06-12-2007, 02:37 PM
Well, we have a fixed location, but still the same considerations...
Here`s the City`s solution ($6000 later):
Saw up and remove 6" thick concrete floor, install trench drain and "dirt separator"
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/Trench.JPG
That separator is 4` high and 6` wide, with a manhole cover!
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/Separator2.JPG
Re pour the (sloped) concrete, wait 30 days. Treat with 3 coats of 2 part epoxy paint, which takes 3 days to apply, and then 5 more days b4 we could drive on it!
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0318.JPG
Simple. :wall
JB
Superior Shine
06-12-2007, 03:36 PM
Dude, This is not a problem. It’s a GOLDMINE!
If the city of Beverly Hills wants zero runoff that’s their right (and federal law). And, considering their runoff goes straight into Santa Monica Bay, it’s a good idea too.
If they want to run all the guys who aren’t willing to comply out of town that leaves you, the one guy that follows the rules, alone, in freaking Beverly Hills!
PC.
I have just in the last month started advertising in the Beverly Hills area and I RECLAIM MY WASTE WATER.
the other pc
06-13-2007, 12:25 AM
http://www.wouldyoubelieve.com/graphics/cast_max.gif
Would you believe the two guys that follow the rules?
Sorry about that, Chief.
PC.
Junebug
06-14-2007, 12:04 PM
American by birth, Southern by the grace of God - thank God I live in North Carolina - rural North Carolina, where a man can walk out his back door and be surrounded by woods not neighbors, where you can pretty much do what you damn well please (except grow pot!) and nobody hassles you. May I die before the socialist take over!