Any grading project that could transport silt or sediment into the public right-of-way or city storm drain system must install perimeter erosion/sediment BMPs (silt fence, straw wattles, etc.) and may be required to post a bond under Riverside Municipal Code Title 17.
Riverside Municipal Code Title 17 (Grading) requires erosion and sediment control BMPs on grading sites. Per RMC §17.24.010.D and the city's Grading Permit Fees schedule, any grading permit involving work with an increased potential to transport silt or sediment into the public right-of-way or City storm drain system is subject to special requirements: grading permits may be secured by bond, cash deposit, or other approved method to guarantee completion. Perimeter protection (silt fence, straw wattles, gravel bags) is estimated at $2.00 per linear foot, with installation estimated at a $1,000 flat rate for bonding purposes. Construction-site erosion control also implements the city's MS4 permit obligations — sediment-laden runoff entering the storm drain is treated as an illicit discharge. Projects disturbing 1 acre or more must additionally enroll under the State Water Board Construction General Permit (Order 2022-0057-DWQ) and prepare a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
Failure to install or maintain erosion/sediment BMPs is enforced as a Title 17 grading violation and an MS4 illicit-discharge violation. Penalties include stop-work orders, forfeiture of grading bond/cash deposit, administrative citations under RMC Title 1 general penalty (infraction/misdemeanor), and state-level fines from the Santa Ana Regional Water Board for sediment discharges.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Riverside, CA
RMC §7.35.010(B)(10) bars vehicle/motorcycle/motorboat/aircraft repair, rebuilding, modifying, or testing that disturbs across a residential line. Powered mo...
Riverside, CA
Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 19.550 prohibits hazardous fence materials such as barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing in residential zones, an...
Riverside, CA
California SB 946 (Gov. Code §§ 51036-51039) decriminalized sidewalk vending statewide; cities may regulate but not ban outright. Riverside requires a Sidewa...
Riverside, CA
Riverside Municipal Code § 9.08.090 prohibits model airplane flying, model rockets, and 'any game of a hazardous nature' inside any City park except where sp...
Riverside, CA
Since July 1, 2022, Riverside's green cart is a combined organics cart: yard trimmings AND bagged food scraps go in the same brown-body/green-lid container p...
Riverside, CA
Dumping trash, furniture, mattresses, construction debris, or yard waste on any street, lot, alley, or wash within Riverside violates both Riverside Municipa...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Riverside County.
See how other cities in Riverside County handle erosion control.
See how Riverside's erosion control rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.