Reedley, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Reedley Municipal Code Title 12, Chapter 2, Section 12-2-4 governs storm drainage systems within the city, establishing a framework for the planning, engineering, administration, and construction of drainage infrastructure within public streets, alleys, easements, and city property. The ordinance is designed to protect public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring adequate stormwater conveyance and preventing flooding, erosion, and water quality degradation. New development and significant redevelopment projects in Reedley must incorporate stormwater management features to control both the quantity and quality of runoff leaving the site. The city may require developers to construct on-site detention or retention basins, install storm drain connections, and provide drainage easements as conditions of development approval. Construction projects disturbing one acre or more of soil are required to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit from the California State Water Resources Control Board and prepare a comprehensive Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP must detail the best management practices (BMPs) that will be implemented to prevent sediment, construction chemicals, concrete wash water, and other pollutants from entering the storm drain system during construction activities. Common BMPs include silt fences, fiber rolls, gravel bag barriers, stabilized construction entrances to prevent track-out onto public streets, proper material storage, concrete washout areas, and dewatering procedures for excavations. Post-construction stormwater treatment measures may be required for development projects that create significant new impervious surfaces such as parking lots, building footprints, and driveways. These measures may include bioswales, vegetated swales, permeable pavement, infiltration trenches, rain gardens, and proprietary stormwater treatment devices. The city coordinates with Fresno County's regional stormwater management program for compliance with the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board's Phase II MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permit requirements. Low-impact development (LID) techniques that reduce runoff volume and improve water quality at the source are encouraged for all new development. Reedley's location in the flat San Joaquin Valley, with its agricultural surroundings and seasonal rainfall patterns, makes proper stormwater management essential to prevent localized flooding, groundwater contamination, and degradation of receiving waters including the Kings River. Contact the Public Works Department at (559) 637-4200 for stormwater-related inquiries and development requirements.