Environmental Rules in Medford, OR (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Medford, Oregon, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Medford bans discharging any pollutant into its storm drainage system, including illegal pipe or drain connections carrying sewage, wash water, or industrial waste. The Public Works Director enforces the rule, can order best-management practices, and may enter and inspect any premises to check compliance.
Medford Illicit Stormwater Discharge Ban
Significant RestrictionsMedford Code § 4.1302
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the storm drainage system any pollutants or waters containing any pollutants. (1) The commencement, conduct, or continuance of any discharge other than stormwater to the storm drainage system is prohibited except as described as follows... [Added Sec. 5, Ord. No. 2024-120, Nov. 21, 2024.]
Erosion Control
Medford requires its own Erosion Control Permit for any construction project disturbing 7,000 square feet or more of land, on top of the state DEQ's NPDES 1200-C permit once disturbance reaches one acre. The Public Works Engineering Division reviews erosion control plans alongside building or grading permit applications under Medford Municipal Code § 9.800.
Medford Construction Erosion Control Permit
Some RestrictionsMedford Municipal Code § 9.800
(1) Purpose. As required by the City's National Pollutant Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), the City does hereby proclaim an ordinance to address Stormwater Erosion Control. (2) Applicability. A City of Medford Erosion Control Permit is required for all construction projects that result in land disturbance of 7000 square feet or more. For construction proje...
Flood Zones
Medford requires a floodplain development permit before any construction, fill, or other development begins within a special flood hazard area, under Chapter 13 of the Medford Municipal Code. The city's Floodplain Administrator, appointed by the City Manager, reviews every permit for compliance with floodway, elevation, and habitat standards before work can start.
Medford Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsMedford Municipal Code § 13.025(3)(a)
(a) Floodplain Development Permit Required. A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area horizontally within the special flood hazard area established in Section 13.015(2). The development permit shall be required for all structures, including manufactured dwellings, and for all other development, as defined in Section 13.010, including fill a...
Defensible Space
Medford requires a minimum 100-foot firebreak (defensible space) around structures in wildfire hazard zones, plus tiered firebreak and mowing standards for vacant parcels based on lot size, all enforced as a public nuisance under Municipal Code Section 7.430.
Medford Defensible Space Firebreak Rules
Some RestrictionsMedford Municipal Code § 7.430(1)(e)
(e) Structures in wildfire hazard zones: Minimum 100' firebreaks (defensible space) shall be provided around the perimeter of the structure (Road or driveway width may be considered part of the 100' firebreak).
Flood Elevation Requirements
Medford requires new and substantially improved residential structures in riverine special flood hazard areas to elevate the lowest floor to at least one foot above the base flood elevation, giving the city a one-foot freeboard margin above FEMA's mapped flood height.
Medford Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsMedford Municipal Code § 13.025(2)(c)(ii)(A)
New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above one foot above the base flood elevation (BFE).