Environmental Rules in Anaheim, CA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Anaheim, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Anaheim bans illicit connections and prohibited discharges into its storm drain system citywide under AMC Chapter 10.09, the local National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ordinance. New development and significant redevelopment must get a City-approved water quality management plan before breaking ground, and violations can be enforced as a misdemeanor, an infraction, or a public nuisance the City Attorney can sue to abate.
Anaheim Stormwater Discharge Prohibition Rules
Some RestrictionsAnaheim, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 10.09.020 (Prohibition on Illicit Connections and Prohibited Discharges)
No person shall: (1) Construct, maintain, operate and/or utilize any illicit connection; (2) Cause, allow or facilitate any prohibited discharge; (3) Act, cause, permit or suffer any agent, employee, or independent contractor, to construct, maintain, operate or utilize any illicit connection, or cause, allow or facilitate any prohibited discharge.
Erosion Control
Anaheim requires every cut or fill slope to be protected with an approved erosion control device, planting, jute mesh or straw matting immediately after grading is completed, under Municipal Code Section 17.04.180.020. The rule applies to all excavations and fills citywide, permit or not, and hillside lots carry an added rye-grass planting requirement under Section 17.06.141.
Anaheim Construction Erosion Control Rules
Some RestrictionsAnaheim, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 17.04.180.020 (Excavations - Cuts and Fills - Erosion Control)
17.04.180 EXCAVATIONS — CUTS AND FILLS. .0101 No excavation shall be made with a face steeper in slope than one and one-half to one vertical, unless a retaining wall or other approved support is provided to support the face of the excavation or fill... .020 All slopes shall be protected immediately upon completion with an approved erosion control device, such as planting, or the placing of jute...
Flood Zones
Anaheim requires a development permit before any construction, grading, fill, or mobile home placement in a mapped area of special flood hazard. New structures must have the lowest floor elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation, and violations are charged as a civil misdemeanor.
Anaheim Flood Hazard Development Permit
Some RestrictionsAnaheim Municipal Code Sec. 17.28.100, 17.28.130.031, 17.28.060
A development permit shall be obtained before any construction, subdivision, structure and substantial improvement, other development, or placement of a mobile home begins within any area of special flood hazard established pursuant to Section 17.28.050... New construction and substantial improvement of any structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated at least one foot ab...
Defensible Space
Anaheim's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, mapped by CAL FIRE under Municipal Code Section 16.40.020, and its Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area east of SR-55 and south of SR-91 carry a mandatory vegetation-management standard: new landscaping must reduce non-fire-resistant plants near structures under Fire Code Section 307.7, enforced by Anaheim Fire & Rescue.
Anaheim Defensible Space Fire Rules
Some RestrictionsAnaheim Municipal Code § 16.08.020(.150)-(.160) (amending Cal. Fire Code §§ 307.6-307.7)
307.6 Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area. All of the area within the City of Anaheim located east of the Costa Mesa Freeway (SR-55) and south of the Riverside Freeway (SR-91) is hereby designated a Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area and shall comply with the provisions of this chapter. ... 307.7 General. Planting of vegetation for new landscaping shall be selected to reduce non-fire-resistant v...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Anaheim's mapped special flood hazard areas, new construction and substantially improved structures must raise the lowest floor, including any basement, at least one foot above the base flood elevation. A registered engineer or surveyor must certify the elevation before final inspection.
Anaheim Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsAnaheim Municipal Code Sec. 17.28.130.031
New construction and substantial improvement of any structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation. Nonresidential structures may meet the standards in Section 17.28.130.022. Prior to final building and zoning inspections, the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registered professional eng...
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