Fullerton, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- FMC § 14.03.210, Appendix J § J109.5
- Design storm
- 25-year frequency storm intensity
- Seasonal grading ban
- October 1 to April 15 without protections installed
- Liability bond minimum
- $500,000 per occurrence, city additional insured
- Import/export cash bond
- $500 or 5% of haul valuation
- Appeal path
- Planning Commission, then City Council
- Enforcing official
- Building Official / City Engineer
Summary
Fullerton requires an approved grading permit and erosion-control plan before any grading that alters natural drainage. Under Fullerton Code of Ordinances § 14.03.210, plans must show de-silting catch basins, slope planting, and drainage protections engineered for a 25-year storm event. Grading is barred outright each winter, October 1 through April 15, unless erosion protections are already installed and functioning on site.
J109.5 Storm water control measures. An application for a grading permit shall show details of such temporary and permanent de-silting catch basins, drainage, surfacing, slope planting, and other erosion, surface water, and flood control protective devices, installations, and measures to be installed upon such property as are reasonably necessary, based upon the time of year during which the work will be commenced and completed, and upon the maximum rainfall intensity expected under conditions of a 25-year frequency storm, to prevent any damage to any public or private property from any land movement, erosion, surface water, or flooding, or from any deposit, or washing away of any soil, mud silt, rocks, sand or other earth material or debris, by, in, or from, the doing of such work, or which may originate, or come, from the site of such work.
Full Breakdown
03. 2) for isolated self-contained grading, small excavations under 50 cubic yards, and similar minor work. 5) separately obligates any permittee to put into effect and maintain precautionary measures protecting adjacent water courses and property from erosion, flooding, and construction pollutants, and bars any increase in cross-lot storm water runoff. 5): erosion and sediment controls, including temporary and permanent de-silting catch basins, surfacing, and slope planting, must be sized to withstand a 25-year frequency storm based on the season the work will run. 1) then forbids any grading between October 1 and April 15 unless the required protective devices are already in place, and requires the owner to maintain them afterward without removal absent written Building Official approval.
3) adds a liability bond backed by a general liability policy with a minimum $500,000 per-occurrence limit naming the city as additional insured. 4. 6.
Violations & Fines
Grading without a permit, or without the erosion controls the approved plans require, violates Fullerton Code of Ordinances § 14.01.010, which bars construction, alteration, or grading work without the permits Title 14 requires. The City enforces under the general penalty schedule at § 1.08.010: infractions carry fines up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for later offenses, or the City Attorney may charge a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and six months in county jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to grade my Fullerton property?
Can I do grading work in Fullerton during the rainy season?
What erosion control standard do Fullerton grading plans have to meet?
What bonds does Fullerton require for grading that could cause erosion damage?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fullerton
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