Environmental Rules in Rialto, CA (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Rialto, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Rialto's storm sewer ordinance bans discharging anything but rainwater into the city's storm drains, gutters and channels. Chapter 12.60 implements the city's NPDES permit under the Clean Water Act, prohibiting pollutants like motor oil, wash water, pool backwash, restaurant grease and construction debris from entering the municipal separate storm sewer system, with the public works director empowered to issue civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation per day.
Rialto Bans Non-Stormwater Discharges Into Drains
Heavy RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Sec. 12.60.080
It is prohibited to: A.Discharge directly or indirectly to the city's MS4, or any street, line or drainage channel which leads to the city's MS4, any non-stormwater or other solid, liquid or gaseous water unless such discharge is authorized by either a separate NPDES permit or as otherwise specified in Section 12.60.090... C.Throw, deposit, place, leave, maintain, keep or permit to be thrown, d...
Erosion Control
Rialto requires a grading permit for any excavation or fill exceeding one foot in depth or height, and the development services department will not close out that permit until every drainage facility and erosion control measure on the approved plan is in place.
Rialto Grading Permits Require Erosion Control
Some RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Sec. 11.12.080(E) (Ord. 649 § 1 (part), 1973)
E. Stabilization of Material. No excavation or embankment shall be made until provisions are made to protect the slopes and graded area from wind erosion after completion of the grading. The protection shall consist of planting, paving, or such other method as approved by the city engineer.
Flood Zones
Rialto requires a development permit before any construction or other development begins in an area of special flood hazard, based on FEMA's San Bernardino County Flood Insurance Study. The City Engineer administers the program as floodplain administrator.
Development Permit Required in Rialto Flood Hazard Areas
Significant RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Sec. 18.75.130 (Ord. 1318, 2001)
A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 18.75.070. 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 scale showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevation ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New and substantially improved residential structures in Rialto's mapped flood zones must have their lowest floor, including any basement, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation determined for the site. Nonresidential buildings may flood-proof instead.
Rialto Freeboard: Lowest Floor One Foot Above Base Flood
Some RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Sec. 18.75.170(C)(1) (Ord. 1318, 2001)
C.Elevation and flood proofing... 1.Residential construction, new or substantial improvement, shall have the lowest floor, including basement,... b.In an A zone, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation; said base flood elevation shall be determined by one of the methods in Section 18.75.150(B) of this chapter. (The state of California recommends the lowest floor be elevated at least tw...
Looking for San Bernardino County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rialto city rules.
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