Environmental Rules in Contra Costa County, CA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Contra Costa County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In unincorporated Contra Costa County, releasing anything other than stormwater into a gutter, storm drain, creek, or ditch is banned outright under the county's Division 1014 stormwater ordinance. New projects that create 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface must also file a county-approved stormwater control plan before permits will issue.
Contra Costa Stormwater Discharge Ban
Some RestrictionsContra Costa County Ordinance Code §§ 1014-4.006(a), 1014-6.002
(a)The release of illicit discharges to the county stormwater system is prohibited. ... Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, any person, firm, partnership, corporation or public agency that violates any provision of this division, or fails to comply with any of the mandatory requirements of this division, is guilty of a misdemeanor, unless, in the discretion of the public works dir...
Erosion Control
Contra Costa County's grading ordinance requires erosion protection on any cut slope over five feet or fill slope over three feet before a grading permit closes out. The county building inspection department requires planting with grass or ground cover suited to the site's soil and climate, installed after rough grading, with final sign-off withheld until growth is established on the slope.
Contra Costa County Erosion Control Slope Rules
Some RestrictionsContra Costa County Ordinance Code §§ 716-8.802, 716-8.804, 716-8.806
The surface of all erodible cut slopes more than five feet in height and fill slopes more than three feet in height shall be protected against erosion by planting with grass or ground cover plants. The plants and planting methods shall be suitable for the soil and climatic conditions of the site and in accordance with standard specifications on file in the county building inspection department....
Flood Zones
Any construction, grading, or development within a mapped special flood hazard area in unincorporated Contra Costa County needs a floodplain permit from the Public Works Department before a building or grading permit issues, under the county's Floodplain Management chapter enacted to keep the county eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program.
Contra Costa Floodplain Development Permit
Some RestrictionsContra Costa County Ordinance Code § 82-28.802 (Establishment of floodplain permit)
A floodplain permit shall be obtained from the Contra Costa County public works department before construction, and prior to issuance of a grading permit or building permit, or commencement of development on any property within any area of special flood hazards established in Section 82-28.604.
Boat Dock Permits
Contra Costa County's Electrical Code sets a minimum lighting standard for boat docks: at least two foot-candles of protective light at every point along docks, covered berths, and the walkways or ramps connecting them to shore and the nearest access road, whether the dock is open or roofed.
Contra Costa Boat Dock Lighting Standard
Some RestrictionsContra Costa County Ordinance Code § 76-4.610 (Boat docks)
Whether open or roofed, lighting shall be provided to insure sufficient protective lighting at least two-foot-candles at all points for pedestrians on the docks, within covered berths, and on all walkways or ramps to shore and to the nearest access road within or adjacent to the harbor property.
Flood Elevation Requirements
New construction and substantially improved buildings inside a Contra Costa County flood hazard area must sit above the base flood elevation plus a required safety margin, or freeboard, set at two feet in the San Francisco Bay Delta Estuarine Region and one foot everywhere else in the unincorporated county.
Contra Costa Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsContra Costa County Ordinance Code § 82-28.1002(3)(a) (Standards of construction); see also §§ 82-28.406, 82-28.462 (definitions)
New construction and substantial improvement of any structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus required freeboard. In the San Francisco Bay Delta Estuarine Region, 0.61 meters (two feet) of freeboard is required. In all other unincorporated areas of the county, 0.30 meters (one-foot) of freeboard is required.
Environmental Rules by City in Contra Costa County
3 cities in Contra Costa County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Contra Costa County ordinances
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