Environmental Rules in Ontario, CA (2026)
3 verified environmental rules for Ontario, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Ontario bans dumping refuse, wash water, pet waste, pool chemicals and dozens of other pollutants into any street, gutter or storm drain that feeds the City's stormwater system. The City Engineer enforces the ban with administrative complaints, civil penalties up to $25,000 per day and misdemeanor prosecution.
Ontario Storm Drain Discharge Rules and Fines
Significant RestrictionsOntario Municipal Code Sec. 6-6.206
It is prohibited to: (a) Discharge non-stormwater directly or indirectly to the City's stormwater drainage system, or any street, lined or unlined drainage channel which leads to the City's storm drain or directly or indirectly into any waters of the State unless such discharge is authorized by either a separate NPDES permit or as otherwise specified in § 6-6.207 of this chapter... (c) Throw, d...
Flood Zones
Ontario requires a development permit before any construction or development begins in an area of special flood hazard, flood-related erosion hazard, or mudslide hazard, mapped on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map adopted for the city. The Development Director serves as Floodplain Administrator, and violations are a misdemeanor.
Ontario Flood Zone Development Permits
Significant RestrictionsOntario Municipal Code § 8-13.401
A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazards, areas of flood-related erosion hazards or areas of mudslide (i.e. mudflow) established in § 8-13.302. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Floodplain Administrator and may include, but not be limited to: plans in duplicate drawn to sc...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Ontario's special flood hazard areas, new construction and substantial improvements must have the lowest habitable floor built at least one foot above the base flood elevation. A development permit from the Floodplain Administrator is required before any building or grading begins there.
Ontario Flood Elevation: 1-Ft Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsOntario Municipal Code Sec. 8-13.501(c)(1) (Standards of construction; Elevation and floodproofing)
New construction and substantial improvements of any structure shall have the lowest habitable floor, including basement, elevated to at least one (1) foot above the base flood elevation. Nonresidential structures may meet the standards in § 8-13.501(c)(3). Upon the completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor, including basement, shall be certified by a registered professiona...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Ontario city rules.
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