What are the Pressure Washing Regulations in California?

Pressure washing can take years off the appearance of a home, office building or parking lot without the arduous tasks of resurfacing and repainting. And high-powered streams of water blast gunk off of outdoor patio and furniture, making them look like new. This powerful process, known as pressure washing or power washing, can also remove pesky graffiti.

One obvious issue is that any sprayed-off substance, from oils to pesticides, can end up in storm drains and waterways. This could contaminate drinking water sources and pose a serious danger to fish and wildlife. California, historically a leader in environmental reform measures, clearly outlines rules related to the practice of pressure washing. The state also offers best management practices for those who operate these pressure-washing businesses.

​Read More:​ California Regulations Law: What Are Regulations in California?

In California, it's against the law to allow wastewater from power washing to flow into storm drains and natural bodies of water. Doing so is not only a violation of state laws, but also federal and municipal regulations and could possibly result in fines. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which enforces the Clean Water Act of 1972, fines violators several thousand dollars a day for offenses.

Before performing any power-washing jobs, companies in California must obtain a pressure-washing license through the state Contractors State License Board. The proper designation is Sand and Water Blasting Limited Specialty Contractor, Class Code C-61/D-38. To qualify for this license, you must be at least 18 and show four years of journeyman experience. Expect to pay around $300 for the application fee and an additional license fee of about $180. It's best to contact the license board to confirm specifics and fees before performing any pressure-cleaning job.

Once you're licensed, always follow best management practices set by the industry when performing pressure-washing jobs. Following these guidelines helps to avoid environmental fines and negative impacts to the environment. Fines incurred from violations are the responsibility of the property owner, so owners need to be equally aware of pressure-washing guidelines and make sure they are followed by contractors. Homeowners who want to pressure wash their homes themselves do not need to obtain licensing, but must follow the same guidelines that companies do.

Power washing best practices include:

• Plan your job to anticipate potential issues, like runoff. Also, ensure you have the right equipment and tools.
  
• Preclean the surface by using dry methods, such as sweeping and mopping, to reduce the amount of harmful matter that may come off while power washing. It's also important to minimize the amount of water used and avoid using hazardous cleaning chemicals. 
• Contain and collect wastewater for disposal in a manner that meets local, state and federal regulations. Dispose of debris and other residue using a broom, mop or vacuum. Discharge is typically disposed of into sanitary sewers, and contractors must sometimes get government pre-approval before disposal. In certain instances, contractors can release dirty water onto landscaped areas on the condition that there's no resulting runoff or hazardous-waste contamination.

​Read More:​ The California Coastal Commission: Real Estate Laws & Regulations