How Rialto Handles Environmental Rules: A Practical Guide

Rialto maintains 136 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with environmental rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Rialto falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Flood Zones

Rialto requires a development permit before any construction or other development begins in an area of special flood hazard, based on FEMA's San Bernardino County Flood Insurance Study. The City Engineer administers the program as floodplain administrator.

Key details: Governing chapter: RMC Ch. 18.75, Floodplain Management. Permit required for: Any construction/development in flood hazard area. Administrator: City Engineer. Map source: FEMA San Bernardino County FIS, 5-8-2024. Violation penalty: Misdemeanor.

Constructing, locating, extending, converting or altering a structure in a special flood hazard area without full compliance with Chapter 18.75, including without an approved development permit, is a misdemeanor under Section 18.75.080. The city council may also take other lawful action to prevent or remedy the violation.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Rialto actively enforces its flood zones requirements.

Flood Elevation Requirements

New and substantially improved residential structures in Rialto's mapped flood zones must have their lowest floor, including any basement, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation determined for the site. Nonresidential buildings may flood-proof instead.

Key details: Governing section: RMC 18.75.170(C). Required freeboard: 1 foot above base flood elevation. AO zone alternative: 2 ft above grade if no depth number. State recommendation: 2 feet (not adopted locally). Nonresidential option: Flood-proofing, engineer-certified.

Constructing or substantially improving a structure without meeting the elevation or floodproofing standards of Section 18.75.170 violates Chapter 18.75 and constitutes a misdemeanor under Section 18.75.080; the floodplain administrator can also require remedial action and documentation under Section 18.75.150(F)-(H).

Erosion Control

Rialto requires a grading permit for any excavation or fill exceeding one foot in depth or height, and the development services department will not close out that permit until every drainage facility and erosion control measure on the approved plan is in place.

Key details: Permit trigger: Any cut/fill over 1 foot in depth or height. Permit validity: Up to 1 year; voids after 90 days idle. Erosion protection: Planting, paving, or city engineer-approved method. Terrace required: 5 ft wide on fill slopes over 30 ft. Haul route condition: Required over 500 cubic yards.

Grading without a permit, or grading that leaves slopes unprotected from wind erosion, is enforced by the development services department and city engineer under Chapter 11.12. Section 11.12.140 lets the city require a bond, cash deposit, or instrument of credit to guarantee corrective work if grading is not finished per the approved plans. Under Section 11.12.170, an existing excavation or fill that becomes a hazard or blocks a watercourse triggers a written repair notice; if the owner does not comply within ninety days (or sooner for an imminent hazard), the city can perform the repair itself and assess the cost as a special assessment lien on the property, collectible like general taxes.

Stormwater Management

Rialto's storm sewer ordinance bans discharging anything but rainwater into the city's storm drains, gutters and channels. Chapter 12.60 implements the city's NPDES permit under the Clean Water Act, prohibiting pollutants like motor oil, wash water, pool backwash, restaurant grease and construction debris from entering the municipal separate storm sewer system, with the public works director empowered to issue civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation per day.

Key details: Governing chapter: Rialto Municipal Code Chapter 12.60 (MS4 ordinance). Enforcing agency: City public works director, NPDES section. Civil penalty: Up to $10,000 per day of discharge violation. Criminal penalty: Misdemeanor, minimum $3,000 fine, up to 6 months jail. Court penalty ceiling: Up to $25,000 per violation per day.

Discharging anything besides stormwater, or its authorized exceptions, into a Rialto storm drain, gutter or channel violates Section 12.60.080. The public works director can issue an administrative complaint with civil penalties up to $10,000 per day of discharge, plus liens on the violator's property after sixty days unpaid. Willful or negligent violations are misdemeanors carrying a minimum $3,000 fine and up to six months in jail, and courts can impose civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation per day for continued noncompliance.

This is one of the stricter rules in Rialto's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Rialto is tougher than many cities when it comes to environmental rules. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Rialto, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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