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

Section 15.12.140 adds Section J110.3 to Appendix J of the adopted California Building Code, creating a standalone temporary erosion control duty for grading work within city limits. The permittee, not just the grading contractor, must put into effect and maintain all precautionary measures necessary to protect adjacent watercourses and public or private property from damage by erosion, flooding, and deposition of mud or debris originating from the site. The Building and Safety Department enforces this alongside the related Appendix J sections adopted in the same ordinance package: Section 15.12.150 (Appendix J112) makes the permittee responsible for preventing damage to adjacent property from excavation too close to a property line, and Section 15.12.160 (Appendix J113) requires dust control measures and a posted dust control sign before permit issuance.

Grading inspections themselves are governed by Section 110, Chapter 1, Division II of the adopted Building Code, and an engineer must provide grading inspections and certifications for work performed at the site under Section 15.12.120. These erosion, drainage, and dust provisions were most recently carried forward and amended by Ordinance No. 1048, adopted November 19, 2025, following the 2016 (Ord. 899), 2019 (Ord. 956), and 2022 (Ord. 1011) code adoption cycles. Because the duty attaches regardless of lot size, even small residential grading jobs exempt from a full grading permit under the de minimis thresholds in Appendix J (e.g., cuts under 2 feet or fills under 1 foot) remain subject to the general prohibition on causing erosion damage to neighboring property or public infrastructure.