Alameda County requires erosion control during the rainy season (October 1 to April 30). Projects over 1 acre need a Construction General Permit and a SWPPP.
Erosion control in Alameda County is enforced by the county Public Works Agency and individual cities under the MRP 3.0 and the State Construction General Permit. Active construction sites must install Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as silt fences, fiber rolls, straw wattles, inlet protection, and stabilized construction entrances. During the October-April wet season, all disturbed soil must be stabilized within specific timeframes. Hillside grading in Castro Valley, Sunol, and unincorporated canyons faces stricter requirements due to erodible soils and steep slopes. Projects disturbing 1 acre or more require coverage under the State Water Board Construction General Permit (Order 2022-0057-DWQ), a Qualified SWPPP Developer, and a site-specific SWPPP. Violations can trigger stop-work orders and penalties up to 10,000 dollars per day per the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle erosion control.
See how Castro Valley's erosion control rules stack up against other locations.
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