La Habra, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Municipal Code Ch. 13.24, Water Quality Ordinance
- WQMP trigger
- Soil disturbance over 1,000 square feet
- Single-family exemption
- Home footprint of 3,900 sq ft or less
- Program start date
- September 6, 1997
- Compliance deadline
- 90 days, extendable 90 more days
- Appeal window
- 30 days to request a hearing
Summary
In the City of La Habra, builders and property owners must control erosion and stormwater pollution on construction sites under Municipal Code § 13.24.030, the city's Water Quality Ordinance. Before the community development group issues a grading, building or nonresidential plumbing permit, most new development and significant redevelopment must comply with the county Drainage Area Management Plan (DAMP) and file a water quality management plan.
§ 13.24.030. Control of urban runoff. A. New Development and Significant Redevelopment. 1. Beginning September 6, 1997 and continuing thereafter, all new development and significant redevelopment within the city shall be undertaken in accordance with: a. The DAMP, including, but not limited to, the development project guidance; and b. Any conditions and requirements established by the city which are reasonably related to the reduction or elimination of pollutants in stormwater runoff from the project site. ... ... 3. Notwithstanding subsections (A)(1) and (A)(2), compliance with the development project guidance shall not be required for construction of: a. A new or redeveloped (one) single-family detached residence of three thousand nine hundred square feet footprint or less; and b. Any project that requires the disturbance of soil of one thousand square feet or less unless the city's community development director determines that the construction may result in the discharge of significant levels of a pollutant into a tributary to the stormwater drainage system.
Full Breakdown
La Habra adopted its stormwater program on September 6, 1997, and it has applied to every new development and significant redevelopment project in the city since that date. Municipal Code § 13.24.030 requires the community development group to review a water quality management plan (WQMP) and impose erosion and sediment control conditions before it issues a grading permit, building permit or nonresidential plumbing permit, or, for projects needing no such permit, before a discretionary land use approval or recordation of a subdivision map. Two narrow exemptions exist: a single new or redeveloped single-family detached home with a footprint of 3,900 square feet or less, and any project that disturbs 1,000 square feet of soil or less, unless the community development director determines the work could discharge a significant level of pollutants toward the storm water drainage system.
Compliance with the county DAMP does not excuse a builder from separately complying with every other provision of Chapter 13.24; the community development group may also issue a written waiver where it finds a de minimis water-quality impact. The city recovers its WQMP plan-check and inspection costs from the applicant, including a deposit against estimated costs with any unused balance refunded. Subdivision maps carry a parallel condition: § 17.04.080 requires every approved map to comply with grading and erosion control requirements, including prevention of sedimentation or damage to off-site property, under Chapter 15.44, which adopts the Orange County Grading and Excavation Code as the city's own grading code subject to local amendments in § 15.44.020.
Violations & Fines
An authorized inspector may issue a notice of noncompliance setting a compliance date of up to 90 days, extendable another 90 days for good cause, or a cease and desist order for an imminent threat. Continuing violations are a public nuisance under Government Code § 38771; unpaid abatement costs become a lien on the property. A recipient may request a hearing before a hearing officer within 30 days, then appeal to the appeals board within 10 business days; the board's decision is final under Code of Civil Procedure §§ 1094.5 and 1094.6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every home addition in La Habra need a water quality plan?
Who enforces erosion and stormwater rules on La Habra construction sites?
Can I appeal a stormwater violation notice in La Habra?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in La Habra
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