Environmental Rules in Chino, CA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Chino, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
The City of Chino is a co-permittee under the San Bernardino County Area-Wide NPDES Municipal Storm Water Permit (Order R8-2010-0036, adopted January 10, 2010 by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board), with the San Bernardino County Flood Control District as Principal Permittee. The MS4 discharges to flood-control channels, San Antonio Channel, Cypress Channel, Chino Creek, and ultimately the Prado Basin and Santa Ana River. Only rainwater and a narrow list of allowed non-stormwater flows may enter the storm drain system.
Chino Stormwater & Illicit Discharge (San Bernardino MS4)
Some RestrictionsErosion Control
Construction sites in Chino must implement erosion and sediment control Best Management Practices (BMPs) under the San Bernardino MS4 Permit (Order R8-2010-0036), California Building Code Appendix J (grading), and — for sites disturbing 1 acre or more — the statewide Construction General Permit (Order 2022-0057-DWQ). BMPs must keep sediment, concrete slurry, and construction debris out of Chino's storm drains and creeks year-round, with intensified controls during the October 1 – April 30 wet season.
Chino Erosion & Sediment Control During Construction
Some RestrictionsCoastal Development
Chino is an inland Inland Empire city in southwestern San Bernardino County roughly 40 miles from the Pacific coast. It is NOT within the California Coastal Zone, has no coastline, and is not subject to the California Coastal Act (Public Resources Code §30000 et seq.) or California Coastal Commission jurisdiction. No Coastal Development Permit (CDP) is required for any project in Chino — there is no local rule because state law does not apply here.
Coastal Development — Not Applicable in Chino
Few RestrictionsFlood Zones
The City of Chino participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and adopts the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for San Bernardino County. Most of Chino is mapped Zone X (minimal flood hazard), but Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA — Zones A/AE) follow Chino Creek, Mill Creek, San Antonio Channel, Cypress Channel and the Prado Flood Control Basin. The southern edge of the city below elevation 566 ft is within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Prado Dam inundation/flowage easement.
Chino Floodplain Management (NFIP, Prado Dam, Chino Creek)
Some RestrictionsGrading & Drainage
Grading work in Chino requires a grading permit under California Building Code Appendix J (adopted by reference in Chino Municipal Code Title 15), with drainage plans showing positive flow away from structures, no concentrated runoff onto neighboring properties, and tie-in to the city's master-planned storm drain system. Major drainage facilities are governed by the City of Chino Drainage Master Plan (1993, updated 1998, 2003, 2022) covering 11.25 sq mi in Subarea 1 and 8.5 sq mi in Subarea 2 (The Preserve).
Chino Grading & Drainage Permits
Some RestrictionsLooking for San Bernardino County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chino city rules.
Environmental Rules in San Bernardino County →