Tracy, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Rainy-season window
- Oct. 15 to Apr. 15
- Wind-erosion window
- Apr. 15 to Oct. 15
- Exemption
- Contained single-family backyards
- Legal basis
- Additional to state permits, not a substitute
Summary
Tracy requires erosion and sediment controls on any disturbed, unvegetated construction site during the rainy season, October 15 through April 15, and wind erosion controls the rest of the year, April 15 through October 15, under Municipal Code section 11.34.130, with a narrow exemption for contained residential backyards.
(a)In addition to any other requirement imposed by this Code, any state or federal law or any permit issued thereunder, the owner of any area of disturbed land from which the natural vegetative cover has been either partially or wholly cleared or removed by development activities, and which is not covered by an impervious surface, shall comply with the following requirements:(1)Properly placed erosion and sediment controls shall be in place during the rainy season, from October 15 through April 15 of the year immediately following.(2)Properly placed wind erosion controls shall be in place from April 15 through October 15 of each year.(b)Back yards of residential single-family dwellings that would otherwise be covered by this section are exempt when stormwater runoff from the back yard is contained on the property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 69).
Full Breakdown
130(a) applies to the owner of any area of disturbed land where the natural vegetative cover has been partially or wholly cleared or removed by development activity and is not covered by an impervious surface. Two seasonal duties apply: properly placed erosion and sediment controls must be in place during the rainy season, running from October 15 through April 15 of the following year, and properly placed wind erosion controls must be in place the rest of the year, from April 15 through October 15.
120(b)(2). 130(b) carves out one exemption: back yards of single-family residential dwellings are exempt from the stabilization duty when stormwater runoff from the yard is contained on the property rather than draining off-site. 030, separately defines "accelerated erosion" as erosion "caused by development activities that exceeds the natural processes by which the surface of the land is worn away by the action of water, wind, or chemical action," the standard the City applies when deciding whether a site's controls are adequate.
Violations & Fines
Because stabilization requirements sit inside chapter 11.34, a site without properly placed seasonal erosion controls is enforceable the same way as any other chapter violation: a civil order to abate under chapter 1.32 with costs charged to the responsible party, an administrative citation under section 1.28.040, or, for a knowing violation, a misdemeanor charge under section 1.04.030, per the enforcement authority in section 11.34.300.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need erosion controls on a Tracy construction site?
Does my backyard project need to follow this rule?
Does this replace my state construction stormwater permit requirements?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tracy
California rules heatmap·Compare Tracy to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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Erosion Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Joaquin County handle erosion control.