Fontana's Environmental Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles environmental rules a little differently. In Fontana, California, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Erosion Control

Fontana controls construction-related soil erosion by wind through Article III of Chapter 9, which adopts San Bernardino County's blowing sand and soil erosion code wholesale and substitutes 'city' for 'county' throughout. Permits, fees and enforcement stay with the county agricultural commissioner and the county soil erosion and dust prevention commission.

Key details: Governing article: Ch. 9, Art. III, Sec. 9-26 to 9-30. Adopted: Ord. No. 1879, 2-8-22. Permits issued by: County agricultural commissioner. Fees paid to: County, not the city. Weed abatement: Excluded, separate ordinance.

Violations of the adopted county blowing-sand and soil-erosion sections carry the penalties built into that adopted county code, administered by the county agricultural commissioner rather than city staff; site work performed without the required county-administered permit is enforceable through the same county process and fee schedule referenced in Sec. 9-26.

Vehicle Idling Restrictions

Fontana caps diesel truck idling at large warehouse facilities to three minutes under Sec. 9-72(c), part of the Industrial Commerce Centers Sustainability Standards. Anti-idling signs must be posted at site entrances and dock areas, and the facility operator, not the city, is responsible for strict enforcement.

Key details: Idling limit: 3 minutes, diesel trucks. Applies to: Warehouse/industrial commerce facilities. Enforced by: Facility operator, per Sec. 9-72(c). Complaint line: SCAQMD 1-800-288-7664. Response window: 72 hours per complaint.

The article does not print a stand-alone fine table for idling; noncompliance is enforced through the city's general penalty, Sec. 1-7, a misdemeanor up to $1,000.00 and six months' imprisonment or an infraction up to $500.00, and through withholding of the certificate of occupancy or business license tied to the Sec. 9-72(d) truck routing plan.

Flood Elevation Requirements

New and substantially improved homes in Fontana's mapped flood zones must have the lowest floor, including any basement, built at or above the base flood elevation shown on the FEMA flood insurance rate map. Fontana requires elevation to the base flood level itself; the code does not add extra freeboard above that federal minimum.

Key details: Residential floor elevation: At or above base flood level. AO zone floor height: Depth number on FIRM, 2 ft minimum. Freeboard added: None beyond FEMA base flood level. Certification: Registered engineer or surveyor elevation certificate. Enclosed lower areas: 1 sq in vent per sq ft, flood vents.

Building or substantially improving a residential structure in a mapped zone without elevating the lowest floor to or above the base flood level violates Sec. 12-39(3)c.2 and is enforced through the Sec. 12-32 misdemeanor penalty and the floodplain administrator's permit review. Failing to submit the required elevation certification under Sec. 12-38(4) blocks final approval of the flood zone permit.

Flood Zones

Any construction or development within a FEMA-mapped special flood hazard area in Fontana needs a flood zone permit before work begins, under Chapter 12, Article II. The city's floodplain administrator reviews plans for lowest-floor elevation, proposed floodproofing, and floodway impacts before granting approval.

Key details: Permit required: Flood zone permit before any construction begins. Governing map: FIS/FIRM dated May 3, 1993, as amended. Reviewing official: City floodplain administrator. Floodway limit: No more than 1-foot rise in base flood. Violation class: Misdemeanor under Sec. 12-32.

Building, filling or altering land in a mapped flood hazard area without a Sec. 12-36 flood zone permit is a misdemeanor under Sec. 12-32, and the city can pursue civil remedies alongside criminal charges. Unpermitted work found to increase base flood elevations by more than one foot at any point separately violates the Sec. 12-38 review standard.

Stormwater Management

Fontana bans discharging anything but stormwater into its municipal storm drain system. Sec. 23-510 lists prohibited discharges, from wash water and pool backwash to pet waste and construction runoff, and requires anyone directed to fix a problem to implement best management practices. The public works director enforces the rule with notices of violation, escalating fines and criminal prosecution.

Key details: Governing section: Fontana Municipal Code Sec. 23-510. Enforcing agency: Public Works Director. First NOV fine: $100.00. Repeat/hazard fine: Up to $500.00 per day. Misdemeanor penalty: $1,000 fine, 6 months jail.

A first notice of violation carries a $100.00 fine, a second within a year $200.00, and a third up to $500.00; discharges that threaten harm to people or the environment can draw $500.00 per violation per day. Stop-work, compliance and cease-and-desist orders each add a $1,000.00 issuance fee. Criminal prosecution under Sec. 23-558 is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000.00 and six months in county jail, with every day of noncompliance a separate offense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Fontana actively enforces its stormwater management requirements.

The Bottom Line

Fontana's environmental rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Fontana is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Fontana's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.