San Joaquin County, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Erosion and sediment control in San Joaquin County is governed by the county grading ordinance, the state Construction General Permit (CGP), and the CASQA (California Stormwater Quality Association) BMP Handbook. Grading permits from Public Works require submittal of an erosion and sediment control plan before ground disturbance. Standard required BMPs include: silt fencing along the down-gradient perimeter, stabilized construction entrances (rocked pad) to prevent track-out onto public streets, fiber rolls/straw wattles around inlets, sediment traps or basins for larger sites, hydroseeding or erosion control blankets on slopes, concrete washout containment, and wind-erosion controls (watering, soil tackifiers, wind fencing) — wind erosion is a major issue in the flat San Joaquin Valley especially during dust-prone spring winds and affects SJVAPCD PM10/PM2.5 compliance. Disturbed areas must be stabilized within 14 days of activity cessation per the CGP. Sediment discharge to any waters of the state (Delta, sloughs, rivers, agricultural drains) violates both the Clean Water Act and California's Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. Inspections required weekly during active construction and after every rain event producing ¼ inch or more.