Merced, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 15.50.120(B), Storm Water Management chapter
- Minimum requirement
- BMPs for erosion, sediment control, dewatering, all sizes
- Large sites
- Submit WDID number and SWPPP before permit issuance
- Small sites
- Under 1 acre: submit erosion and sediment control plan
- Post-construction duty
- Recorded O&M agreement for permanent control measures
Summary
Every construction project in Merced with soil disturbance exposed to stormwater must install erosion and sediment control best management practices under Municipal Code Sec. 15.50.120(B)(1). Projects under an acre that fall outside the state's Construction General Permit still owe the city an erosion and sediment control plan before grading begins.
Any person performing construction activities in the city shall prevent pollutants from entering the storm water conveyance system and comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, or regulations, including, but not limited to, the current California NPDES General Permit for storm water discharges associated with construction activity (Construction General Permit) and the city storm water management and discharge control chapter. All construction projects, regardless of size, having soil disturbance or activities exposed to storm water must, at a minimum, implement BMPs for erosion and sediment controls, soil stabilization, dewatering, source controls, pollution prevention measures, and prohibited discharges.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 - 1-26).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 120(B) of the Storm Water Management and Discharge Control chapter sets Merced's erosion-control standard for builders. ' Larger sites covered by the state's Construction NPDES General Permit must give the city their Waste Discharge Identification (WDID) number and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) before the city issues a construction permit or approves improvement plans, under Sec. 120(B)(2). Smaller sites, those disturbing less than an acre and not subject to the state general permit, instead submit a simpler erosion and sediment control plan to the city.
Post-construction, Sec. 120(C) lets the enforcement official require permanent controls, such as source control measures, treatment controls, or hydromodification measures sized to the city's Storm Water Design Standards Manual, and developers must sign a recorded operation and maintenance agreement binding them, and later owners, to keep those measures working. Sec. 140 gives the city a right of entry to inspect erosion-control compliance, and Sec. 185 makes any violation of the chapter, including a failure to control erosion, a misdemeanor with each day of noncompliance a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Failing to implement required erosion and sediment control BMPs is a misdemeanor under Sec. 15.50.185, with each day of the violation charged separately. The enforcement official can withhold approval of a building or grading permit until proof of Construction General Permit compliance or an erosion control plan is submitted under Sec. 15.50.120(B), and can order emergency abatement of an active erosion or sediment discharge within 72 hours under Sec. 15.50.165, with cleanup costs billed to the property owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every construction site in Merced need an erosion control plan?
Does erosion control still apply after construction ends?
Who reviews erosion control compliance on a Merced building site?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Merced
California rules heatmap·Compare Merced to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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