Environmental Rules in Inglewood, CA

If you live in Inglewood or are thinking about moving there, environmental rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Inglewood has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of environmental rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Flood Zones

Any construction, grading, or land alteration within an area of special flood hazard in Inglewood requires a City development permit before work begins. The Public Works Director, serving as Floodplain Administrator under Municipal Code Article 15, reviews every application to confirm the proposed site is reasonably safe from flooding and that any required state and federal permits are already in hand. Building without a permit is a misdemeanor.

Key details: Permit required: All development in flood-prone areas. Floodplain Administrator: Public Works Director. Violation: Misdemeanor. State authority: Govt. Code §§ 65302, 65560, 65800. Base flood data on file: Public Works Dept., One Manchester Blvd..

Constructing, locating, extending, converting, or altering any structure or land in a flood-prone area without full compliance with Article 15, including its permit and construction requirements, is a misdemeanor under Section 10-182(3). The City may also take any other lawful action needed to prevent or remedy the violation, including denying or revoking the development permit itself.

Stormwater Management

Inglewood bans illicit connections and illicit discharges to its municipal storm drain system under Article 16 of the Municipal Code. Dumping landscape debris, pet waste, wash water, or any other pollutant into a street, gutter, catch basin, or storm drain violates the ordinance, and the Public Works Director's enforcement staff can inspect, cite, and pursue criminal or civil action against violators.

Key details: Enforcing officer: Public Works Director. Governing permit: LA Regional Municipal NPDES Permit. Misdemeanor penalty: Up to $1,000 fine / 6 months jail. Infraction penalty: $100 / $250 / $500 escalating. Parking lot sweeping: Required over 25 spaces.

Violating Article 16 is a misdemeanor under Section 10-211(G): a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. Prosecutors may instead charge it as an infraction under Section 10-211(H): $100 for a first violation, $250 for a second, $500 for each after that. Every violation is also a public nuisance the City Attorney can abate by civil action, and each day it continues is a separate offense.

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

Erosion Control

Construction sites in Inglewood under one acre must use erosion and sediment control best management practices under Section 10-207(D) of the Stormwater Management and Discharge Control Ordinance. Every industrial, commercial, and construction discharger must first obtain any NPDES permit state or federal law requires, and must prove compliance to the City's authorized enforcement officer before any grading, building, or occupancy permit is issued.

Key details: Trigger: Construction sites under 1 acre. BMP source: NPDES Permit Table 7 and/or Table 8. Larger sites: LID rules under § 10-208 instead. Proof required before: Grading, building, occupancy permit. Enforcing officer: Public Works Director.

A construction site operating without required erosion and sediment control BMPs violates Article 16 and is a misdemeanor under Section 10-211(G): a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. Prosecutors may instead cite it as an infraction under Section 10-211(H), starting at $100 and rising to $500 for repeat violations. The City may also withhold or condition grading, building, and occupancy permits until compliance is proven.

Coastal Development

Not applicable to Inglewood. The city is an inland community approximately 3 miles from the coast. California Coastal Commission jurisdiction does not extend to Inglewood.

Key details: Coastal Zone: Not applicable. Location: Inland, ~3 miles from coast. CCC Jurisdiction: Does not apply. Topic: Coastal Development.

The Bottom Line

Inglewood'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 Inglewood is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Inglewood's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.