Environmental Rules in Redwood City, CA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Redwood City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Redwood City bans discharging anything but stormwater into its municipal storm drains under Municipal Code Chapter 27A. The Director of Community Development and City Manager's designees enforce the rule, and violators face misdemeanor charges, civil penalties, and cleanup costs. A short list of exempted flows, including dechlorinated pool water and lawn irrigation runoff, keeps ordinary yard maintenance legal.
Redwood City Stormwater Discharge Rules
Significant RestrictionsRedwood City Code § 27A.5
A.Discharge of Pollutants: The discharge of non-stormwater discharges to the City stormwater drainage system is prohibited. All discharges of material other than stormwater must be in compliance with a national pollutant discharge elimination system permit issued for the discharge (other than NPDES Permit No. CA0029921) and this Chapter.B.Exceptions to Discharge Prohibition: The following disch...
Erosion Control
In Redwood City's R-1/RH districts, at least 40 percent of each lot and 60 percent of the required front yard must remain pervious (landscaped, open, or permeable paving) to manage drainage, with a limited paved driveway allowance on narrow lots.
Redwood City Pervious Area Requirement
Some RestrictionsRedwood City Zoning Code sec. 5.9
Pervious Requirements. At least forty percent (40%) of each lot and a minimum of sixty percent (60%) of the required front yard area shall be pervious. For lots less than fifty (50) feet in width, a maximum paved area twenty (20) feet wide may be permitted for driveway and parking areas.C.Stormwater Requirements. New development shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 27A (Stormwater Requ...
Flood Zones
Redwood City Code Chapter 41 applies to every area of special flood hazard mapped on the FEMA flood insurance rate maps. No structure or land in those zones may be built, extended or altered without a development permit and full compliance with the chapter, and violations are a misdemeanor under Section 41.9.
Redwood City Floodplain Development Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsRedwood City Code §§ 41.7, 41.9, 41.16
Sec. 41.7. - LANDS TO WHICH THIS CHAPTER APPLIES: This Chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of the City of Redwood City. Sec. 41.9. - COMPLIANCE: No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted, or altered without full compliance with the term of this Chapter and other applicable regulations. Violation of the require...
Boat Dock Permits
Redwood City Code Section 44.16 bars building any wharf, pier, landing, bulkhead or other permanent structure in the City harbor without written permission from the Board of Port Commissioners. Placing any buoy, marker or obstruction, temporary or permanent, also needs the Port Manager's written approval unless placed by a government agency.
Redwood City Harbor Wharf and Dock Permission Rule
Significant RestrictionsRedwood City Code sec. 44.16
Sec. 44.16. - PERMISSION REQUIRED TO BUILD WHARF, ETC.: No wharf, pier, landing, bulkhead or any other structure of a permanent nature may be built or constructed in the harbor without written permission of the Board of Port Commissioners; nor shall any buoy, marker or obstruction of any kind, whether temporary or permanent, be placed in the harbor without written permission of the Port Manager...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Redwood City Code Section 41.18 requires new or substantially improved residential structures in any special flood hazard zone to have their lowest floor, including any basement, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation. Nonresidential buildings may floodproof instead, and breakaway walls below the floor must meet a set load-resistance range.
Redwood City Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsRedwood City Code §§ 41.6, 41.18
Sec. 41.18. - STANDARDS OF CONSTRUCTION: In all areas of special flood hazards, the following standards are required: ...C.Elevation and Floodproofing. ...1.Residential construction, new or substantial improvement, shall have the lowest floor, including basement: a.In an A zone, elevated to a minimum of one (1) foot above the base flood elevation or the design flood elevation, whichever is high...
Looking for San Mateo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Redwood City city rules.
Environmental Rules in San Mateo County →