Environmental Rules in Rancho Cordova, CA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Rancho Cordova, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Rancho Cordova makes it unlawful to discharge anything other than storm water into the city's storm drains under RCMC Section 15.12.100, unless the flow fits a listed exception such as landscape irrigation, water line flushing, or individual residential car washing. The public works administrator enforces the city's shared NPDES permit and can impose administrative civil penalties up to five thousand dollars per violation.
Rancho Cordova Storm Water Discharge Rules
Significant RestrictionsRCMC § 15.12.100 (Prohibited Non-Storm Water Discharge); § 15.12.480 (Criminal Penalties)
Except as provided in RCMC § 15.12.110, it shall be unlawful for any person to make or cause to be made any non-storm water discharge indirectly or directly to the city receiving waters. ... Any person who negligently or knowingly violates any provision of this chapter, undertakes to conceal any violation of this chapter, continues any violation of this chapter after notice thereof, fails to im...
Erosion Control
Rancho Cordova requires a grading and erosion control permit under RCMC Section 16.44.050 to move, fill, excavate, store or dispose of 350 cubic yards or more of soil, or to clear and grub one acre or more of land. The public works administrator issues, conditions and can suspend or revoke these permits under Chapter 16.44.
Rancho Cordova Grading and Erosion Control Permits
Some RestrictionsRCMC § 16.44.050 (Permits Required); § 16.44.360 (Violations)
Except as provided by RCMC § 16.44.060, § 16.44.065 or § 16.44.070, a grading and erosion control permit shall be required to (A) grade, fill, excavate, store or dispose of 350 cubic yards or more of soil or earthly material or (B) clear and grub one acre or greater of land within the city. A separate permit is required for work on each site unless sites are contiguous, have the same ownership,...
Flood Zones
Rancho Cordova requires a floodplain development permit before any grading, filling, or construction in a mapped flood hazard area. The floodplain administrator reviews every application against the city's flood provisions and the building code before work can begin, and unpermitted work is a misdemeanor.
Rancho Cordova Floodplain Development Permits
Significant RestrictionsRancho Cordova Municipal Code (RCMC) § 16.96.310 (Permits Required)
Any person, owner or authorized agent who intends to conduct any development in a flood hazard area shall first make an application to the floodplain administrator and shall obtain the required permit for floodplain development. No permit shall be issued until compliance with the requirements of these regulations and all other applicable codes and regulations has been satisfied. No building per...
Defensible Space
Rancho Cordova requires a 30-foot firebreak around every structure: Municipal Code Section 17.12.060 orders dry grass, brush, vines and other dry vegetation cleared for at least 30 feet from structures, combustible fences, vehicles and combustible storage, with the enforcement official empowered to demand a wider clearance where terrain warrants it.
Rancho Cordova 30-Foot Firebreak Rule
Some RestrictionsRCMC § 17.12.060 (Firebreak Required)
All dry grass, brush, vines or other dry vegetation shall be cleared for an area of not less than 30 feet from all structures, combustible fences, vehicles and combustible storage. The enforcement official may require additional clearances when topographical or geographical conditions warrant said action.
Flood Elevation Requirements
Rancho Cordova requires new and substantially improved buildings in flood hazard areas to be elevated 1.5 feet above the base flood elevation, a freeboard margin added on top of the FEMA-mapped flood level for both residential and non-residential construction.
Rancho Cordova Base Flood Elevation Freeboard
Some RestrictionsRancho Cordova Municipal Code (RCMC) § 16.96.920 (Local Technical Amendments to CCR Title 24 Part 2 – Elevation Requirements)
1612.2.1 Modification of ASCE 24: Non-Residential Elevation requirements. The minimum floor elevation requirements for new or substantially improved non-residential structures shall be as specified in ASCE 24, the base flood elevation plus 1.5 feet... ... R322.2.1 Residential Elevation requirements. 1. Buildings and structures in flood hazard areas shall have the lowest floors (including baseme...
Looking for Sacramento County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rancho Cordova city rules.
Environmental Rules in Sacramento County →