Do I need a permit for construction-related stormwater in San Bernardino?

Yes. Construction activities that disturb soil typically fall under state construction stormwater requirements and may require SWPPP and NOI filing; check state guidance and city plan-review requirements.

How do I report an illicit discharge or a stormwater violation?

Report illicit discharges to the City of San Bernardino Public Works via the department contact page; emergencies may require county or state reporting depending on severity.

What if my project has post-construction runoff impacts?

Post-construction controls such as on-site retention, flow-rate control, or treatment may be required by city standards and state permit conditions; include these in civil/site plans.

San Bernardino Stormwater Rules for Developers

Environmental Protection California 3 Minutes Read · published February 10, 2026

San Bernardino, California requires developers to control stormwater runoff from construction and new development to protect local waterways and comply with state clean-water permits. This guide explains the city and state expectations for site design, erosion and sediment controls, and the documentation developers must prepare to avoid enforcement actions.

Stormwater requirements for developers

Developers must design projects to minimize runoff, retain or treat stormwater on-site where feasible, and implement best management practices (BMPs) during construction and after project completion. Typical expectations include perimeter controls, stabilized entrances, sediment basins, and post-construction flow control or treatment measures. For State construction permit requirements and SWPPP/NOI guidance, see the California State Water Resources Control Board resources Construction and Stormwater Program^[1].

Penalties & Enforcement

The City enforces stormwater and illicit discharge rules through inspection, notices to comply, and administrative or civil remedies. Specific monetary fine amounts are not specified on the cited pages; developers should expect administrative citations, stop-work orders, and civil penalties in addition to corrective orders. For city enforcement contacts and complaint submission, see the Public Works contact page City of San Bernardino Public Works^[2].

Contact the Public Works department promptly if you receive a notice.

Fines: not specified on the cited page; may include administrative or civil penalties and daily fines depending on the violation.
Escalation: first notices, corrective orders, repeat or continuing violations may lead to higher penalties or litigation; specific escalation amounts not specified on the cited page.
Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, mandatory corrective actions, permit hold or revocation, abatement at owner expense, referral to county or state agencies.
Enforcer and complaint pathway: City of San Bernardino Public Works handles inspections and complaints; use the official department contact page to report illicit discharges or request inspections Public Works^[2].
Appeals and review: appeal routes typically follow administrative procedures in municipal code or permit conditions; time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited pages.

Applications & Forms

Developers commonly must prepare a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and file any required state notices (NOI) under the State construction general permit; details and application steps are on the California State Water Resources Control Board site Construction and Stormwater Program^[1]. City-specific submittal checklists or drainage reports may be required at plan review; where a city form is required or a fee applies, the municipal submission process is listed on the Public Works or Planning pages (see Help and Support / Resources below).

Common violations

Uncontrolled sediment leaving the site due to missing perimeter controls.
Failure to install or maintain BMPs during construction.
Not preparing or not making a SWPPP available on-site when required.
Illicit discharges to storm drains, including washwater or concrete slurry.

FAQ

Do I need a permit for construction-related stormwater in San Bernardino?: Yes. Construction activities that disturb soil typically fall under state construction stormwater requirements and may require SWPPP and NOI filing; check state guidance and city plan-review requirements.
How do I report an illicit discharge or a stormwater violation?: Report illicit discharges to the City of San Bernardino Public Works via the department contact page linked in Resources; emergencies may require county or state reporting depending on severity.
What if my project has post-construction runoff impacts?: Post-construction controls such as on-site retention, flow-rate control, or treatment may be required by city standards and state permit conditions; include these in civil/site plans.

How-To

Prepare a SWPPP: identify BMPs for erosion control, sediment control, and pollution prevention and document inspection schedules.
File required state notices (NOI) and pay applicable state fees before grading begins, per the State Water Resources Control Board guidance Construction and Stormwater Program^[1].
Coordinate with City plan review: submit drainage reports and sediment control details to Planning/Engineering during permit application and schedule inspections as required.

Key Takeaways

Start SWPPP and erosion control planning early—these affect permit approval and schedules.
Maintain BMPs and records on-site to reduce enforcement risk.