Petaluma, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- Any grading, excavation, fill, clearing
- Issuing department
- Public works department
- Rainy season
- October 1 to April 15
- Small-job exemption
- ≤150 cu yd, ≤4 ft deep
- Work hours near homes
- 6am-8pm weekdays, 8am-5pm Sat
- Enforcement
- Public nuisance abatement action
Summary
Petaluma's Grading Ordinance bars any grading, excavation or fill work without a public works department permit and requires erosion and sediment control measures, including a standby crew during the rainy season, on active job sites. Violations are treated as a public nuisance the city attorney can sue to abate.
17.31.040 Actions prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to: A. Perform any work within the scope of this chapter without first having obtained a permit from the public works department pursuant to this chapter, and/or, from the building inspection department, where required by Chapter 70 of the Uniform Building Code. ... C. Grade in such a manner so as to: 1. Cause erosion or sedimentation on other property or on public streets, 2. Obstruct or otherwise interfere with drainage, or deposit sediment in natural or artificial drainage facilities, or 3. Construct or alter drainage facilities or alter drainage courses without first obtaining a permit pursuant to chapter 17.31.060. ... 17.31.240 Erosion control. ... B. The faces of cut and fill slopes must be protected against damage by erosion and the methods utilized for such protection must offer effective erosion control prior to the beginning of, as well as during, the rainy season. ... H. Sediment control facilities must be constructed and in working order prior to the beginning of the rainy season and must prevent sediment from being transported from the site.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2931 NCS, passed July 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
31, the 'Grading Ordinance of the city of Petaluma,' regulates grading on public and private property to control erosion and sedimentation, protect water quality and reduce stormwater pollutants. 060 permit. 070 exempts small jobs, such as excavations of 150 cubic yards or less at four feet deep or shallower, and vegetation clearing on slopes of 20 percent or less limited to one acre. 030), slopes steeper than 3:1 or higher than ten feet need temporary stabilization such as jute matting, sediment control facilities must be working before the rainy season begins, and the permittee must keep a standby emergency crew and stockpiled erosion-control materials available throughout the rainy season and inspect all devices after every rainfall. m. Saturdays.
Violations & Fines
Section 17.31.320 declares any grading, excavation or work performed contrary to Chapter 17.31 unlawful and a public nuisance; on order of the city council, the city attorney must commence an action to abate, remove and enjoin the violation, and the city can apply to any court with jurisdiction to restrain continued noncompliance, in addition to other penalties available under the Municipal Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to grade or excavate my Petaluma property?
What erosion control measures does Petaluma require during construction?
What happens if grading work in Petaluma violates the erosion control ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Petaluma
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Erosion Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sonoma County handle erosion control.