Palm Springs requires dust and erosion control on all construction and grading sites. Coachella Valley is a federal PM10 nonattainment area, and SCAQMD Rule 403.1 imposes strict fugitive dust rules including watering, soil stabilizers, and track-out prevention. Grading permits require an approved dust control plan before work begins.
Because Palm Springs lies in the Coachella Valley PM10 nonattainment area, South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 403.1 applies in addition to standard erosion controls. Any earthmoving project over 5,000 square feet must submit a Coachella Valley Fugitive Dust Control Plan (CVFDCP) to SCAQMD and implement measures such as watering active disturbed areas at least three times daily, applying chemical soil stabilizers to inactive areas, maintaining 12-inch freeboard on haul trucks, paving or graveling site entrances to prevent track-out onto public streets, and stopping earthwork when winds exceed 25 mph. Operators must complete a Coachella Valley Dust Control Class (CDC) and keep records. For erosion (as opposed to dust), sites need fiber rolls, silt fences, or sandbags at low points and storm drain inlets, and stockpiles must be covered or stabilized. Palm Springs Engineering Division reviews grading plans and verifies BMPs before issuing a final. Violations draw SCAQMD notices of violation with fines starting around $1,000 per day, plus city stop-work orders.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Palm Springs code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Riverside County.
See how other cities in Riverside County handle erosion control.
See how Palm Springs's erosion control rules stack up against other locations.
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