Compare Regulations
Compare city/county requirements side-by-side (up to 4 jurisdictions)
City and County of San Francisco(3 more)
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| Field | Local City and County of San Francisco San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) |
|---|---|
| Permit | |
| Permit / Authorization | Stormwater Control Plan (SCP) — required with building/site permit |
| Submit To | San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) |
| Lead Time | SCP review typically 4–6 weeks; must be approved before building permit issuance |
| Application Method | Online via SF Planning & Building portals; SCP submitted to SFPUC for review |
| Fee | No separate stormwater permit fee; included in building permit fees. Stormwater management fee applies to impervious surfaces on developed parcels. |
| Water Quality | |
| Impervious Cover Limit | No cap (dense urban environment); however, projects ≥ 5,000 sq ft of new or replaced impervious surface must manage stormwater on-site |
| On-Site Treatment Required | Yes |
| Detention Required | Yes — Manage the 90th-percentile 24-hour storm using green infrastructure (bioretention, permeable pavement, rainwater harvesting); combined sewer system means retention reduces CSO risk |
| Turbidity / Discharge Standard | Must comply with state CGP and SF Bay Regional Water Board Basin Plan objectives; no separate city numeric turbidity standard |
| SWPPP | |
| SWPPP / Local Plan Required | Yes — Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP) for construction; Stormwater Control Plan (SCP) for post-construction |
| PE Stamp Required | No |
| Inspections | |
| Inspection Requirements | SFPUC conducts inspections of stormwater facilities during and after construction. Annual self-certification required for maintained green infrastructure. DBI handles building/grading inspections. |
| Inspector Qualification | QSP/QSD per state CGP; no additional city certification required |
| Design & Zones | |
| Local Design Manual | San Francisco Stormwater Management Requirements and Design Guidelines |
| Special Overlay Zones | Combined Sewer Area, Maher Ordinance Area |