Environmental Rules in Redlands, CA (2026)
6 verified environmental rules for Redlands, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Redlands prohibits discharging anything other than stormwater into its separate storm drain system, bans illicit connections outright, and enforces the rule with civil penalties up to $2,000 per day for industrial and commercial users plus misdemeanor criminal penalties for willful violations. The city administers the program through its public works director under an NPDES-driven chapter adopted in 1995.
Redlands Storm Drain Discharge Rules
Significant RestrictionsRedlands City Code §§ 13.54.070, 13.54.260
13.54.070: PROHIBITED DISCHARGES: It is prohibited to: A. Discharge directly or indirectly into the storm drain system any storm water or other solid, liquid or gaseous matter in violation of any law, rule, regulation, permit, order or other requirement of any federal, state, county, municipal or other governmental entity or agency; B. Discharge nonstorm water directly or indirectly t...
Erosion Control
Redlands requires anyone grading a construction site to hold a permit under Redlands City Code Section 15.04.070 and to actively prevent erosion, flooding and mud or debris runoff onto neighboring property and watercourses, regardless of lot size. The City Engineer enforces the local grading amendments to the California Building Code Appendix J.
Redlands Erosion Control During Grading
Some RestrictionsRedlands City Code § 15.04.070(H)
H. CBC Appendix J Section J110.3 entitled "Temporary erosion control during construction", is hereby added to read as follows: The permittee shall put into effect and maintain all precautionary measures necessary to protect adjacent watercourses and public or private property from damage by erosion, flooding, and deposition of mud or debris origination from the site during the grading operation...
Flood Zones
Redlands requires a floodplain development permit before any construction begins in a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area. The Chief Building Official, acting as floodplain administrator, reviews site and foundation plans against the FEMA Flood Insurance Study for San Bernardino County before work can start.
Redlands Flood Zone Development Permit
Some RestrictionsRedlands City Code § 15.32.090
A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the chief building official and may include, but not be limited to, plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions and elevation of the area in question; existing or proposed...
Defensible Space
Redlands requires habitable buildings in its High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to maintain three defensible space zones out to 100 feet: Zone Zero (0-5 feet, ember-resistant, no mulch), Zone One (5-30 feet, thinned vegetation), and Zone Two (30-100 feet, fuel reduction), each with specific vegetation and clearance rules.
Redlands Defensible Space Zone Standards
Significant RestrictionsRedlands City Code § 15.30.150
604.6 Defensible Space Zones. All existing habitable buildings and structures withing the High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) shall maintain defensible space in accordance with sections 604.6.1, 604.6.2, and 604.6.3. The fire code official may require additional fuel modification measures to be taken by the property owner when extreme hazardous vegetation conditions are presen...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Redlands warehouses and logistics distribution centers must post anti-idling signs enforcing a five-minute limit on diesel truck engine idling at entrances and dock areas, tying the local sign requirement directly to state air-quality rule 13 CCR Section 2480.
Redlands Warehouse Diesel Idling Limit
Some RestrictionsRedlands City Code § 18.156.940
Anti-idling signs indicating a five (5) minute restriction on engine idling for diesel trucks shall be posted at warehouses and industrial commerce facilities along entrances to the site and within the dock areas and shall be strictly enforced by the facility operator (13 CCR § 2480).
Flood Elevation Requirements
Redlands requires new residential construction and substantial improvements in a mapped special flood hazard area to elevate the lowest floor, including any basement, at least two feet above the base flood elevation, a two-foot freeboard margin certified by a registered engineer or surveyor before the city signs off.
Redlands Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsRedlands City Code § 15.32.110
C. Elevation And Floodproofing: 1. Residential construction, new or substantial improvement of any structure in zone AE, AH, or A1-30 shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated two feet (2') above the base flood elevation. Upon the completion of the structure the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor,...
Looking for San Bernardino County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Redlands city rules.
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