Rancho Cordova, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

44 was adopted to control erosion, sedimentation and construction pollutant runoff and to keep the city compliant with its NPDES storm water permit, and it defines erosion as the transport of ground surface or soil by wind or water, with erosion control measures including seeding, mulching, sod and vegetative buffer strips. 050 sets the trigger for a permit at 350 cubic yards of grading, filling or excavation, or one acre of clearing and grubbing, and each noncontiguous site under different ownership needs its own permit.

060 exempts smaller work and activities such as swimming pools, basements or footings already covered by a building permit, underground utilities, permitted mining and quarry operations, government-operated refuse sites and planted agricultural crops, though those exempt activities still must meet the chapter's erosion and sediment control standards and can be conditioned through any building permit issued for them. 065 lets the administrator waive the permit entirely for an imminent danger to life or property. 230 sets three mandatory inspection points: before fill placement once the site is cleared and prepared, once drainage terraces and slope berms are graded and ready for paving, and after final planting and irrigation are installed.

A permit runs one year and can be extended once, and a permittee has 24 hours to notify the administrator if erosion control measures fail and sediment leaves the site.