Stanislaus County, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 16.10.050 (CPC Appendix D § D4)
- Trigger
- Commercial, multi-family, 10+ lot subdivisions
- Plan approval authority
- Department of Public Works
- State permit referenced
- NPDES Permit No. CAS000004
- Grading fee section
- § 16.05.060, CBC App. J112.3
Summary
Stanislaus County requires a county-approved drainage plan before it issues a building permit for commercial, industrial, multi-family, or large-subdivision projects likely to affect storm drainage. The developer bears responsibility for submitting the plan, and the project must also comply with the state's area-wide NPDES permit.
In all cases where proposed construction is for commercial, industrial, or public or quasipublic buildings or structures, for single-family subdivisions of 10-units or more or single-family hillside residences, for two-family, three-family, four-family, or multi-family dwellings, or for other uses which similarly involve structural ground coverage likely to affect storm drainage in the areas in which they are located, including but not limited to trailer parks and parking lots, drainage facilities for the property shall be constructed in a manner approved by the Department of Public Works, which may include discharge into a publicly maintained storm drain system or ponding basin. Submission of the drainage plans for approval shall be the responsibility of the owner or the developer of the property on which the construction is proposed, and the application for a building permit shall be accompanied by a drainage plan suitable for review.
Full Breakdown
050 adds Section D4 to the California Plumbing Code's Appendix D (Stormwater Drainage Systems) and applies to commercial, industrial, public or quasi-public construction; single-family subdivisions of ten units or more; single-family hillside residences; two- to multi-family dwellings; and other uses with structural ground coverage likely to affect local storm drainage, including trailer parks and parking lots. For all of these, drainage facilities must be built in a manner approved by the Department of Public Works, which may direct discharge into a publicly maintained storm drain system or a ponding basin.
The owner or developer is responsible for submitting the drainage plan for approval, and a building permit application for a covered project must be accompanied by a drainage plan suitable for county review, the permit will not issue on that project type without one. The section also folds in a citywide-scale state permit obligation: covered new development must comply with NPDES General Permit No. CAS000004 and the county's other stormwater codes. 3 sets a per-permit grading fee under the Board of Supervisors' adopted fee schedule, with separate fees for retaining walls or major drainage structures.
Violations & Fines
Submitting for or beginning covered construction without the required drainage plan blocks permit issuance outright rather than triggering a citation after the fact, since Section 16.10.050 makes the drainage plan a condition of the building permit application itself. Proceeding with unpermitted grading or drainage work is enforced under the general Title 16 penalty at Section 16.00.070 (misdemeanor, escalating to a $5,000 fine and up to six months imprisonment for a repeat offense at the same property under Health and Safety Code Section 17995.1) and can be declared a public nuisance under Section 16.00.080.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a drainage plan to get a building permit for a new commercial building in Stanislaus County?
Who pays for reviewing a Stanislaus County grading plan?
Does a small single-family home need a county-reviewed drainage plan?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stanislaus County
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