Environmental Rules in Whittier, CA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Whittier, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Whittier bans letting anything but stormwater enter its municipal storm drain system: section 8.36.050 makes it unlawful to cause or allow an illicit discharge into the MS4, and section 8.36.060 separately bans intentionally dumping pollutants or foreign objects, including batteries, tires, yard debris, chemicals, animal waste or oil cans, into a storm drain. The public works director can bill violators for cleanup, remediation and testing costs.
Whittier Stormwater Discharge and Dumping Ban
Some RestrictionsWhittier Municipal Code §§ 8.36.050, 8.36.060
A.No person shall cause or allow an illicit discharge to enter the municipal stormwater system.B.Any person causing an illicit discharge to the MS4 may be required by the public works director to pay for the cost of clean-up and remediation.C.Any owner of any private property from which a nonstormwater discharge is observed may be required by the public works director to pay for the cost of col...
Erosion Control
Whittier requires any construction project disturbing one acre or more of soil by clearing, grading or excavating to first obtain a state NPDES construction general permit from the State Water Resources Control Board. Smaller construction jobs still must run erosion and sediment control best management practices pulled straight from the city's municipal stormwater permit tables, enforced by the public works director.
Whittier Erosion and Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsWhittier Municipal Code § 8.36.120
Construction activity not subject to the NPDES construction general permit that are subject to pollution control requirements under the municipal NPDES permit, shall implement BMPs prescribed by the regional board or its executive officer, or the city's public works director through programs or actions made pursuant to the municipal NPDES permit. This includes the implementation of an effective...
Flood Zones
No structure or land within Whittier's mapped special flood hazard areas may be built, altered, extended or converted without a development permit issued under WMC Chapter 15.40, and any violation is a misdemeanor. The city engineer, acting as floodplain administrator, applies the 2005 FEMA Flood Insurance Study for the City of Whittier to decide where the chapter applies.
Whittier Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsWhittier Municipal Code §§ 15.40.080, 15.40.130
No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted or altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations. Violations of the provisions of this chapter by failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions) shall constitute a misdeme...
Defensible Space
Whittier's landscape design standards require a defensible space around buildings in fire-prone areas. Municipal Code Section 13.43.100(A)(1)(f) ties covered landscape design plans to Public Resources Code Section 4291(a) and (b), the state defensible-space statute, and tells applicants to avoid fire-prone plants and highly flammable mulch.
Whittier Requires Defensible Space in Fire Areas
Some RestrictionsWhittier Municipal Code § 13.43.100(A)(1)(f)
f.A landscape design plan for projects in fire-prone areas shall address fire safety and prevention. A defensible space or zone around a building or structure is required per Public Resources Code Section 4291(a) and (b). Avoid fire-prone plant materials and highly flammable mulches. Refer to the local Fuel Modification Plan guidelines.
Flood Elevation Requirements
New construction and substantially improved structures in Whittier's mapped flood hazard areas must have their lowest floor, including any basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation and certified by a licensed engineer or surveyor before the floodplain administrator will sign off, per WMC §15.40.160(C).
Whittier Base Flood Elevation Building Rule
Some RestrictionsWhittier Municipal Code § 15.40.160(C)(1)-(2)
1.New construction and substantial improvement of any structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base floor elevation. Nonresidential structures may meet the standards in subsection (C)(3) of this section. Upon the completion of the structure the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or ...
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