Pacifica, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

206 requires anyone performing construction activity or development in the City to implement appropriate best management practices, or BMPs, to keep construction wastes, tools, equipment, stockpiles, and exposed soil from entering the City storm water system or a watercourse. All construction plans and permit applications submitted to the City must show how they'll implement those BMPs. The ordinance describes construction-phase BMPs as covering both erosion control and sediment control. Erosion control measures include scheduling and timing grading activities, promptly revegetating graded areas, and using hydroseed, hydraulic mulch, soil binders, straw or wood mulch, fiber rolls, check dams, and erosion control blankets.

Sediment control measures include properly sized detention basins, dams or filters to keep suspended sediment out of the storm system, silt fences, fiber rolls, check dams or gravel bags, and construction entrance controls to stop sediment from tracking onto adjacent streets. Pollution prevention practices required alongside these controls include designated washout areas, control of trash and recycled materials, tarping stored materials, and proper maintenance of temporary sanitary facilities. The City may require financial security, an irrevocable letter of credit, cash deposit, or performance bond, to guarantee that temporary storm water controls are installed and maintained during and after construction.

When work is being done contrary to the chapter, including a failure to properly install or maintain BMPs, the enforcement official can order the work stopped by written notice, and work must remain stopped until the official authorizes it to resume.