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Glenn County, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Glenn County Code § 15.56.060
Applies to
Commercial and industrial development projects
Key requirement
Sediment basins where needed to catch runoff
Vegetation rule
Temporary mulching required on exposed critical areas
Non-compliance result
Conditional use permit required (§ 15.56.030)
Source ordinance
Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006

Summary

In unincorporated Glenn County, commercial and industrial development projects must follow eight erosion control performance standards under County Code Section 15.56.060, including minimizing exposed soil, preserving natural features, and installing sediment basins to catch runoff during construction.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Glenn County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The following erosion control standards shall apply to all development projects in commercial or industrial zoning districts: The smallest area practical of land shall be exposed at any one time during development; When land is exposed during development, the exposure shall be kept to the shortest practical period of time; Natural features such as trees, groves, natural terrain, waterways and other similar resources shall be preserved where feasible; Temporary vegetation and/or mulching shall be used to protect critical areas exposed during development; The permanent final vegetation and structures shall be installed as soon as practical in the development; Wherever feasible the development shall be fitted to the topography and soils to create the least erosion potential; Provisions shall be made to effectively accommodate the increased runoff caused by changed soil and surface conditions during and after development; Sediment basins (debris basins, desalting basins, or silt traps) shall be installed and maintained to remove sediment from runoff waters from land undergoing development where needed.

Full Breakdown

060, part of the Performance Standards chapter in Title 15's Unified Development Code, applies erosion control standards to all development projects in commercial or industrial zoning districts in unincorporated Glenn County. Builders must expose the smallest practical area of land at any one time and keep any exposure to the shortest practical period. Natural features such as trees, groves, natural terrain, and waterways must be preserved where feasible rather than cleared outright. Temporary vegetation or mulching is required to protect critical areas left exposed during grading and construction, and permanent final vegetation and structures must go in as soon as practical once work is underway.

The code directs that development be fitted to the topography and soils wherever feasible to create the least erosion potential, and requires provisions to accommodate the increased runoff that changed soil and surface conditions produce during and after development. Where needed, sediment basins, debris basins, desilting basins, or silt traps must be installed and maintained to remove sediment from runoff waters coming off land undergoing development. 020, which lets the planning director demand technical reports from a qualified consultant before ministerial or discretionary approval. 060 is written for commercial and industrial districts, residential grading in unincorporated Glenn County is reviewed instead through the county's general grading and building permit process rather than this specific standard.

Violations & Fines

A commercial or industrial project that fails to control erosion under Section 15.56.030 is treated as noncompliant with an applicable performance standard, which requires the operator to obtain a conditional use permit rather than proceed under ministerial approval. The planning director can require a technical consultant's report and exterior lot-line measurements under Section 15.56.020 before signing off, and the review authority may impose stricter erosion conditions than the code minimums as part of any discretionary approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Glenn County's erosion control rule apply to a residential lot?
No. Section 15.56.060 applies erosion control standards to development projects in commercial or industrial zoning districts in unincorporated Glenn County. Residential grading is handled through the county's separate building and grading permit review rather than this performance standard.
What happens if a commercial project in Glenn County does not control erosion?
Under Section 15.56.030, a use that is not in compliance with applicable performance standards at the time of zoning clearance requires a conditional use permit, meaning the county's planning commission reviews the project directly instead of allowing ministerial approval.
Are sediment basins always required for construction in unincorporated Glenn County?
Section 15.56.060 requires sediment basins, debris basins, desilting basins, or silt traps to be installed and maintained only where needed to remove sediment from runoff waters on land undergoing development, so the requirement is tied to site conditions rather than applying automatically.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Glenn County

All Glenn County rules

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