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Kings County, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Applies to
Armona, Home Garden, Kettleman City, Stratford
Requires
Onsite stormwater detention features
Examples
Catch basins, rain gardens, depression basins
Reviewed at
Site Plan Review stage

Summary

New commercial development in Armona, Home Garden, Kettleman City and Stratford must build onsite stormwater detention into its site plan, using features like catch basins, rain gardens or landscape depression basins.

City-specific rules exist: Hanford has its own stormwater management rules that differ from Kings County's county-level regulations. If you live in Hanford, check the city-specific page instead.

All new development within the communities of Armona, Home Garden, Kettleman City, and Stratford shall integrate onsite stormwater drainage features such as small catch basins, rain gardens, and landscape depression basins into their site plans to increase the stormwater detention throughout the community.

C Commercial Art. 6 Zoning Districts Page 6 - 15

DEVELOPMENT CODE

View official code

Full Breakdown

Section 606.G of the Development Code singles out four unincorporated communities, Armona, Home Garden, Kettleman City and Stratford, that lack citywide storm drain systems. Any new commercial development there must integrate onsite stormwater drainage features, such as small catch basins, rain gardens and landscape depression basins, directly into its site plan to increase stormwater detention throughout the community. The requirement is reviewed alongside the rest of a project's Site Plan Review application and applies regardless of parcel size.

Violations & Fines

A commercial site plan in these four communities that omits onsite detention features can be denied Site Plan Review or cited under Sec. 2403, an infraction escalating to a misdemeanor for repeat violations within a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Kings County require onsite drainage for new stores in Kettleman City?
Yes. Sec. 606.G requires new development there, plus in Armona, Home Garden and Stratford, to add onsite detention like catch basins or rain gardens.
Why do only four communities have this stormwater rule?
Those unincorporated communities lack citywide storm drain systems, so the county requires each new project to manage its own runoff onsite.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Kings County

Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsFlood ZonesSome RestrictionsErosion ControlSome RestrictionsFlood Elevation RequirementsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingLight RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions

All Kings County rules

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Stormwater Management in Cities Across Kings County

Hanford, CA