Environmental Rules in Merced County, CA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Merced County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Merced County Code Chapter 9.53 bars discharging anything other than stormwater into the county's storm drain system in the unincorporated area, prohibits illicit connections, and makes it unlawful to dump refuse or litter into streets, gutters, or drains. The Department of Public Works enforces the chapter with notices of violation, citations, stop-work orders, and misdemeanor charges under Chapter 1.28.
Merced County Stormwater Discharge Prohibitions
Some RestrictionsMerced County Code § 9.53.020(A), (C)
A. Prohibition of Illicit Discharges. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the storm drain system any materials, including, but not limited to, pollutants or waters containing any pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards, other than storm water. ... C. Waste Disposal Prohibitions. No person shall throw, deposit, leave, maintain...
Erosion Control
Before disturbing any soil, operators of construction projects in unincorporated Merced County must prepare and submit a Sediment Control Plan to the Department of Public Works, prepared by a certified Qualified SWPPP Developer. The requirement applies to activity disturbing an acre or more, or to smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan of development.
Merced County Construction Sediment Control Plan
Some RestrictionsMerced County Code § 9.53.030(A)(2)
2. Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control. Prior to disturbing any soil, operators of a construction activity project shall prepare and submit a Sediment Control Plan to the department of public works for review and approval. The SCP shall be incorporated as separate sheets of the civil portion of the plans prepared for the project and shall indicate BMPs to be used during project constru...
Flood Zones
Any construction, fill, or land-disturbing activity within Merced County's mapped special flood hazard areas needs a floodplain development permit from the Community and Economic Development Department before work begins. The county's floodplain administrator reviews site plans, elevation data, and FEMA flood insurance maps, and building without a permit is a misdemeanor.
Merced County Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsMerced County Code § 18.26.040(A), (C)(1)(d)
A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 18.26.030(B) (General Provisions: Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard)... The proposed development does not adversely affect the carrying capacity of areas where base flood elevations have been determined but a floodway ha...
Boat Dock Permits
Marinas, boat docks, and launches in unincorporated Merced County's agricultural zones need at minimum an Administrative Permit under Table 2-1, and Section 18.10.040(H) lets the planning director bump that up to a full Conditional Use Permit whenever the director decides a CUP is warranted. There is no by-right dock use anywhere in the ag zones.
Merced County Boat Dock Permit Requirement
Significant RestrictionsMerced County Code Table 2-1; § 18.10.040(H)
Marina, Boat Dock, or Launch A § 18.10.040H ... H. Marinas, Boat Docks, Launches. A Conditional Use Permit may be required at the discretion of the director.
Flood Elevation Requirements
New homes and substantially improved structures built in a Merced County flood hazard Zone A must set their lowest floor one foot above the base flood elevation, and manufactured homes need the same one-foot freeboard on a permanently anchored foundation. A licensed engineer or surveyor must certify the finished elevation before occupancy.
Merced County Flood Zone Freeboard Requirement
Some RestrictionsMerced County Code § 18.26.050(A)(3)(a)
Residential Construction. New or substantial improvements, shall have the lowest floor, including the basement: (1) In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height one foot higher, as required by the California Building Code and ASCE 24, than the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is ...
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