Calaveras County, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 15.05.170, applies even to permit-exempt grading
- Enforcing official
- Chief building official ("director")
- Post-construction duty
- Owners must maintain erosion/sediment controls
- Backing standard
- State Water Board construction stormwater general permit
- Civil penalty
- Up to $10,000 per offense for repeat violations
Summary
Every grading and earthwork project in unincorporated Calaveras County, permitted or not, must use best management practices to control erosion and sediment under County Code § 15.05.170. The rule tracks the State Water Resources Control Board's construction stormwater general permit and lets the Building Department require a security deposit for post-construction slope cover.
A.Regardless of whether or not a grading permit is required, all grading and earthwork activities within unincorporated Calaveras County shall employ best management practices to minimize erosion and to control sediment discharges to the maximum extent practicable in accordance with the manual and as required by the most recently adopted version of the State Water Resources Control Board's "General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction Activities."B.Following construction, property owners shall maintain sedimentation and erosion control measures as may be required to reduce off-site discharges of sediment to the maximum extent practicable. As provided for in Section 15.05.210 of this chapter, the building department may require posting of a security to ensure adequate development of necessary erosion and sedimentation control measures, including vegetative cover on cut and fill slopes.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
05, the county's grading and drainage ordinance, was completely repealed and re-enacted by Ord. No. 3229 on March 24, 2026, replacing the prior 2007-era version. 080, activity under fifty cubic yards, minor cuts and fills under an acre, and similar small work, still must control erosion and sediment to the maximum extent practicable per the county's Grading, Drainage, and Erosion Control Manual. 030 as the "director," who may delegate enforcement to a professional engineer or code enforcement officer. 170 imposes an ongoing, post-construction duty: property owners must maintain sedimentation and erosion controls, including vegetative cover on cut and fill slopes, to keep reducing off-site sediment discharge after work is complete.
210 lets the director require a maintenance security, cash, a certified check, a letter of credit or a bond, payable to the county, that stays in effect for up to one year past the expiration of the faithful performance security posted for the grading permit itself.
Violations & Fines
A person performing work in violation of Chapter 15.05, including its erosion control duty, receives a written Notice of Violation/Stop Work Order under § 15.05.230 and must halt work immediately. Section 15.05.280 sets escalating civil penalties: up to one thousand dollars for a first violation, up to two thousand dollars for a second within a year, and up to ten thousand dollars for a third or later violation in that year, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. Violating a stop-work order is separately a misdemeanor under county code § 1.24.020, punishable by a fine up to ten thousand dollars, up to six months in county jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does erosion control apply if my grading is exempt from a permit?
Who enforces the county's erosion control rule?
Can the county require a deposit for erosion controls?
What happens if I keep discharging sediment after construction ends?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Calaveras County
California rules heatmap·Compare Calaveras County to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.