The ordinance codified in this chapter shall be known as, and may be cited as, the “flood control channel ordinance.” (Ord. 9746 § 1 (part), 1969: Ord. 1549 § 9, 1928.)

The owner of any natural watercourse, swale or man-made drainage channel shall maintain the same free of any vegetation, tin cans, rubbish or other obstructions to the extent necessary so that the natural flow will not be impeded at any time. 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, then, as used in this section, the word “owner” means the person, firm, corporation or public body owning such easement. In other cases, the word “owner” means the owner of the land traversed by such watercourse, swale, or drainage channel and any person in lawful possession thereof. (Ord. 9556 § 1, 1968: Ord. 9533 § 1, 1968: Ord. 1549 § 5, 1928.)

It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, municipality or district to interfere with, cause damage to, destroy or use in any manner whatsoever any flood control, storm drain or water conservation structure, facility, appurtenance, or any other property owned, constructed, maintained or controlled by or on behalf of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, a body politic and corporate created by law for the purpose of controlling and conserving the flood, storm and other waste waters of said District, without having received a written permit therefor from the board of supervisors of the District, which permit shall be revocable whenever, in the opinion of the board of supervisors, the public interest and welfare require the revocation thereof. Application for the use of any property of the District shall be made to the chief engineer of the District, setting forth the particular use desired and the purpose and duration thereof, and the chief engineer shall investigate such application and make his recommendations thereon to the board of supervisors of the District, and the board of supervisors may impose such terms and conditions as may be necessary to insure the proper maintenance of the property for the purpose for which it was constructed, acquired or maintained. This section does not apply to any entry or use in the course of duty by any peace or police officer, or by a duly authorized employee of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. (Ord. 5468 § 2, 1950: Ord. 1549 § 1, 1928.)

A. It is unlawful for any person, corporation, municipality, agency, or other entity to place or cause to be placed within a floodway adopted pursuant to Los Angeles County Code, Section 11.60.010, or in the channel, bed, or on the bank of any river, stream, wash or arroyo in the county of Los Angeles, or within the floodplain of said river, stream, wash or arroyo if a floodway 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 and detriment of either private or public property within or adjacent to said river, stream, wash, arroyo, floodway, floodplain, flood-control channel, reservoir, debris basin, or spreading ground, nor shall any material, either solid or liquid, be placed in said river, stream, wash, arroyo, floodway, floodplain, flood-control channel, reservoir, debris basin, or spreading ground 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. 86-0032 § 1, 1986: Ord. 5468 § 3, 1958: Ord. 1549 § 2, 1928.)

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 exceed a height of two feet above the adjacent upstream natural stream bed; and
B. Do not change the stream flow characteristics to the detriment of upstream, downstream or adjacent properties; and
C. Are constructed from materials obtained in the adjacent stream bed, except for culvert pipe and asphaltic concrete or portland cement concrete paving. (Ord. 9746 § 1 (part), 1969: Ord. 1549 § 6, 1928.)

This chapter does not prohibit anything either expressly prohibited or expressly permitted by state law. (Ord. 5468 § 5, 1950: Ord. 1549 § 4, 1928.)

Any person, firm, corporation, municipality or district, or any officer or agent of any firm, corporation, municipality or district violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500.00 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a term not exceeding 100 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 1549 § 3, 1928.)