Environmental Rules in Madera County, CA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Madera County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Unincorporated Madera County bans discharging any pollutant other than stormwater into the county's MS4 storm drain system, allowing only a short list of exempt flows like irrigation runoff, firefighting water, and NPDES-permitted discharges.
Madera County Stormwater Discharge Rules
Some RestrictionsMadera County Code § 16.12.070
No person shall throw, drain, or otherwise discharge, cause, or allow others under its control to throw, drain, or otherwise discharge into the MS4 any pollutants or waters containing any pollutants, other than stormwater.
Erosion Control
Construction and grading projects in unincorporated Madera County must retain sediment on site and hold cut slopes to 1:1 and fill slopes to 1 1/2:1 under the county's drainage and erosion control standards.
Madera County Erosion Control Rules
Some RestrictionsMadera County Code § 14.50.080
A.Sediment Control. Sediment shall be retained on the site. Sediment basins, sediment traps, or similar sediment control measures shall be installed at the time of clearing and grading operations. ... E.Slope Construction. Cuts shall be no steeper than 1:1 and fills shall be no steeper than 1½:1 unless soil conditions indicate a different slope is necessary for stability. Erosion control measur...
Flood Zones
Unincorporated Madera County requires a development permit, issued by the county floodplain administrator, before any construction or land alteration inside a FEMA-mapped special flood hazard area. Applicants under Madera County Code Section 14.60.120 must submit scaled plans showing elevations, utilities, grading, floodway location, and base flood elevation data before work can begin.
Madera County Floodplain Development Permit
Significant RestrictionsMadera County Code § 14.60.120
14.60.120 - Development permit. A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 14.60.050. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the county of Madera. The applicant shall provide the following minimum information: A. Plans in duplic...
Defensible Space
Developments approved under Madera County's conditional-use zoning chapter within state fire-responsibility areas must maintain their defensible space every year to keep it usable in a wildfire.
Madera County Wildfire Defensible Space Rule
Some RestrictionsMadera County Code § 18.94.150
Developments regulated by this chapter and within the state responsibility area (SRA) are required to provide annual maintenance of the defensible space area. Annual maintenance is intended to ensure continued availability, access, and utilization of the defensible space during a wildfire.
Flood Elevation Requirements
Unincorporated Madera County requires new and substantially improved residential structures in FEMA-mapped special flood hazard areas to have the lowest floor built at or above the base flood elevation, certified by a licensed engineer or surveyor.
Madera County Flood Elevation Rules
Some RestrictionsMadera County Code § 14.60.140
All new construction or substantial improvements of residential structures shall have the lowest floor, including basement:a.In AE, AH, A1-30 zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation.b.In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grad...
Environmental Rules by City in Madera County
1 cities in Madera County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Madera County ordinances
See every category we cover for Madera County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
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