Environmental Rules in Rohnert Park, CA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Rohnert Park, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Rohnert Park bans any non-storm water discharge into its municipal storm drain system under Chapter 13.64, enforced by the city manager under the federal Clean Water Act and the city's NPDES Phase II permit. Illicit connections, illegal discharges and pollutant dumping are misdemeanors, and the city can order abatement and bill violators for cleanup.
Rohnert Park Storm Water Discharge Ban
Some RestrictionsRohnert Park Municipal Code §§ 13.64.010, 13.64.050, 13.64.190
The purpose and intent of this chapter is to ensure the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of the city of Rohnert Park, and protect and enhance the water quality of watercourses and water bodies in a manner pursuant to and consistent with the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.), and NPDES Phase II storm water regulations for small municipal separate storm sewer ...
Erosion Control
Rohnert Park requires an erosion and sediment control plan with any grading permit under Chapter 15.52, and construction sites must keep enough erosion-control supplies on hand through the October-to-April rainy season. Violations are misdemeanors that can be charged down to infractions and carry restoration costs.
Construction Erosion and Sediment Control in Rohnert Park
Some RestrictionsRohnert Park Municipal Code §§ 15.52.010, 15.52.040
15.52.010 - Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to regulate grading on public and private property in order to control erosion and sedimentation, protect water quality, and safeguard health, safety, and the public welfare, and to establish administrative procedures to carry out these regulations. ... 15.52.040 - Design standards for erosion control plans ... D.The following general site a...
Flood Zones
Rohnert Park regulates development in every area of special flood hazard mapped by FEMA under Chapter 15.48 of its municipal code, built on the city's 1981 Flood Insurance Study and its FIRM and FBFM maps as amended since. A development permit is required before any construction in a mapped flood hazard area.
Flood Hazard Area Rules in Rohnert Park
Some RestrictionsRohnert Park Municipal Code §§ 15.48.060, 15.48.070
15.48.060 - Lands to which this chapter applies. This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of city of Rohnert Park. ... 15.48.070 - Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard. The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for city of Rohnert Park, titled...
Defensible Space
Rohnert Park requires anyone who owns, leases or controls property in an area subject to defensible space rules to maintain at least 30 feet of defensible space from any neighboring building or structure, under Fire Code Section 304.1.3.2, though the fire code official can adjust that distance after a site-specific analysis.
Rohnert Park Defensible Space Requirement
Some RestrictionsRohnert Park Municipal Code § 15.28.020 (2025 CFC § 304.1.3.2)
Persons owning, leasing, or controlling property within areas requiring defensible space are responsible for maintaining a defensible space on the property owned, leased or controlled by said person, within a distance of not less than 30 feet from any neighboring building or structure. Distances may be modified by the tire code official because of a site-specific analysis based on local conditi...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New and substantially improved residential structures in Rohnert Park's mapped AE, AH and A1-30 flood zones must have their lowest floor, including any basement, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation. A registered civil engineer or licensed surveyor must certify the finished elevation to the floodplain administrator.
Base Flood Elevation Requirements in Rohnert Park
Some RestrictionsRohnert Park Municipal Code § 15.48.170
15.48.170 - Standards of construction. In all areas of special flood hazards the following standards are required: ... C.Elevation and Floodproofing.1.Residential Construction. All new construction or substantial improvements of residential structures shall have the lowest floor, including basement:a.In AE, AH, A1-30 zones, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation.b.In an AO zone, eleva...
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