Rio Rancho, NM Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Plan required at
- 1+ acre disturbance
- Plan type
- EPA NPDES SWPPP
- Filed with
- City Engineer
- Due
- Before building/paving permit
Summary
Rio Rancho requires a stormwater pollution prevention plan for any grading or construction project disturbing one acre or more, submitted to the City Engineer before building or paving permits issue, under this Sandoval County, New Mexico city's stormwater code.
For all grading, construction, development, and redevelopment projects, both public and private, with land disturbances equal to or greater than one acre, including sites which disturb less than one acre but are part of a larger common plan of development, a stormwater pollution prevention plan in accordance with EPA NPDES regulations for construction site stormwater runoff control shall be submitted to the City Engineer, prior to the issuance of a building or paving permit or approval of a grading and drainage plan. This requirement is in addition to any other provisions of this chapter that may apply.
(2) The stormwater pollution prevention plan shall outline the structural and nonstructural BMPs to be undertaken by the operator/owner of the project to protect stormwater quality during the construction phase of the project. These BMPs shall be maintained by the owner of the property. Inspection of these BMPs shall be made at a frequency consistent with the CGP by the owner, and a log of this inspection shall be kept on site for review by the City Engineer. The city may also inspect these BMPs on a periodic basis. These BMPs shall be subject to review by the City Engineer.
(B) Stormwater quality protection for post-construction phase.
(1) State water laws, flood control authorities and application to post-construction BMP selection.
(a)
Full Breakdown
City Code § 153.21(A) requires an EPA NPDES-compliant stormwater pollution prevention plan for any public or private grading, construction, development or redevelopment project disturbing one acre or more, including smaller sites that are part of a larger common development, before the city issues a building or paving permit or approves a grading and drainage plan. The plan must outline the structural and nonstructural best management practices the operator will use to protect stormwater quality during construction; those BMPs must be maintained by the property owner, inspected at a frequency consistent with the EPA's Construction General Permit, and logged on site for review by the City Engineer, who may also inspect them periodically.
Violations & Fines
The City Engineer can inspect sites, seek a search warrant if entry is refused, order corrective action for violations, and recover the cost of city-performed remedies as a lien against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a construction site in Rio Rancho need an erosion-control plan?
Who has to maintain the erosion-control measures on site?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rio Rancho
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