Environmental Rules in Merced, CA (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Merced, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Merced makes it a misdemeanor to discharge anything but stormwater into the city's storm drain system under Municipal Code Sec. 15.50.050. Anyone who discovers a spill that could reach a storm drain must contain it immediately and notify the city's enforcement official within 24 hours under Sec. 15.50.130.
Merced Stormwater Discharge Rules
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 15.50.050
A.Except as provided in Section 15.50.060, it is unlawful, and a misdemeanor subject to punishment in accordance with Chapter 1.12 of this Code, for any person to make or cause to be made any non-storm water discharge.B.Notwithstanding the exemptions provided by Section 15.50.060, if the regional water quality control board or the enforcement official determines that any otherwise exempt discha...
Erosion Control
Every construction project in Merced with soil disturbance exposed to stormwater must install erosion and sediment control best management practices under Municipal Code Sec. 15.50.120(B)(1). Projects under an acre that fall outside the state's Construction General Permit still owe the city an erosion and sediment control plan before grading begins.
Merced Construction Erosion Control Rules
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 15.50.120.B.1
Any person performing construction activities in the city shall prevent pollutants from entering the storm water conveyance system and comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, or regulations, including, but not limited to, the current California NPDES General Permit for storm water discharges associated with construction activity (Construction General Permit) and th...
Flood Zones
Any construction, filling, grading or other development within Merced's mapped special flood hazard areas requires a development permit before work begins. Municipal Code Section 17.48.110 ties the permit trigger to the FEMA flood maps adopted in Section 17.48.060, and the city engineer, acting as floodplain administrator, reviews and can deny applications that don't meet the chapter's elevation and floodproofing standards.
Merced Floodplain Development Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 17.48.110 (Establishment of development permit)
A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard, established in Section 17.48.060. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the city engineer and may include, but not be limited to, plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevation of the are...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New construction and substantial improvements in Merced's AE and AH flood zones must have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation shown on FEMA's flood insurance rate map. Section 17.48.140.C.1 requires a registered engineer, surveyor, or the city building inspector to certify that elevation before the city engineer will sign off on the project.
Merced Base Flood Elevation Requirement
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 17.48.140.C.1 (Standards of construction, Elevation and floodproofing)
1.New construction and substantial improvement in zones AE and AH shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation. Nonresidential structures may meet the standards in subsection C.3. hereof. Upon the completion of the structure the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor,...
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