Santa Monica, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Grading restriction
- Filling, grading, and dredging that increases flood damage is controlled or prohibited
- Floodway fill prohibition
- Encroachments including fill prohibited in regulatory floodways unless certified by engineer to not increase flood levels
- Drainage requirement
- All new development must provide adequate drainage to reduce flood hazard exposure
- Floodway engineering
- Registered civil engineer must certify no flood level increase for any floodway encroachment
Summary
Santa Monica's floodplain regulations restrict or prohibit filling, grading, and other development that could increase flood damage or alter drainage patterns, and require all new development to provide adequate drainage.
§ 7.68.030. Methods of reducing flood losses. To accomplish its purposes, this Chapter includes regulations to:
(a) Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or flood heights or velocities;
(b) Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;
(c) Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels and natural protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel floodwaters;
(d) Control filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increase flood damage; and
(e) Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert floodwaters or which may increase flood hazards in other areas.
§ 7.68.170. Standards for subdivisions and other proposed development.
(d) All subdivisions and other proposed development shall provide adequate drainage to reduce exposure to flood hazards.
Full Breakdown
The floodplain management chapter controls the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and protective barriers. It prohibits construction of flood barriers that unnaturally divert floodwaters or increase flood hazards elsewhere. Subdivision proposals and other development must identify flood hazard areas, minimize flood damage, and provide adequate drainage. Development in regulatory floodways requires engineering certification that it will not increase base flood levels.
Violations & Fines
Violations of the floodplain regulations constitute a misdemeanor under Santa Monica Municipal Code § 7.68.070. The City may take any lawful action necessary to prevent or remedy violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add fill dirt to raise my property in a flood zone?
Do drainage improvements on my property need city review if I'm in a flood area?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Monica
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Erosion Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle erosion control.