Compare Regulations
Compare state baseline against local requirements in a single view
Loading...
Compare state baseline against local requirements in a single view
Rows with an amber indicator differ across selections.
| Field | State California SWRCB | Local City and County of San Francisco San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | ||
| Permit / Authorization | Construction General Permit (Order 2009-0009-DWQ, as amended) | Stormwater Control Plan (SCP) — required with building/site permit |
| Submit To | SWRCB | San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) |
| Lead Time | NOI must be filed and permit coverage obtained before grading/construction begins | SCP review typically 4–6 weeks; must be approved before building permit issuance |
| Application Method | Online via Stormwater Multiple Application and Report Tracking System (SMARTS) | Online via SF Planning & Building portals; SCP submitted to SFPUC for review |
| Fee | Annual fee based on acreage: < 5 acres = $900; 5–49 acres = $1,200; ≥ 50 acres = $2,200 | 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 statewide 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 | Not specified at state level | Yes |
| Detention Required | Not specified at state level | 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 | Risk Level 3 sites: effluent must meet 10 NTU turbidity limit at discharge point; Risk Level 2: 250 NTU; Risk Level 1: narrative 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 | Yes — Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP) for construction; Stormwater Control Plan (SCP) for post-construction |
| PE Stamp Required | No | No |
| Inspections | ||
| Inspection Requirements | Risk Level 1: Visual inspections every 24 hours during active rain. Risk Level 2–3: Rain Event Action Plans required; inspections during and after qualifying storms | 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 | Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) for Risk Level 2 and 3 sites; Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) must prepare the SWPPP | QSP/QSD per state CGP; no additional city certification required |
| Design & Zones | ||
| Local Design Manual | N/A — state level | San Francisco Stormwater Management Requirements and Design Guidelines |
| Special Overlay Zones | N/A — see local jurisdictions | Combined Sewer Area, Maher Ordinance Area |