Get stormwater approval for your construction project

Most construction projects require approval for meeting stormwater requirements. You get this by completing a checklist of requirements. This is required by the State Water Board’s Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit C.3 provision for new development and redevelopment.

Need to know

  • Cost included in design review and building permit fees
  • Applies to most construction projects

Before you start

There are 3 project types. Most common projects are considered non-regulated or small. This does not apply to projects that do not disturb soil or use spillable materials, such as solar and most EV charger installations.

Non-regulated

Applies to projects where the total of new or replaced impervious area is less than 2,500 sq ft. Often includes minor projects like a fence, electrical and plumbing, water heater, windows and doors, or roof.

Small project

For projects where:

  • Total new or replaced impervious area for a single-family detached home is 2,500 to 10,000 sq ft.
  • Total new or replaced impervious area for everything else is 2,500 to 5,000 sq ft.

Regulated

For projects where:

  • Total new or replaced impervious area for a single-family detached home is more than 10,000 sq ft.
  • Total new or replaced impervious area for everything else is more than 5,000 sq ft.

Learn more in the Alameda Clean Water C.3 Technical Manual.

Steps

1. Complete and submit the applicability worksheet.

Download and complete the Applicability C.3 stormwater requirements worksheet to determine your project type.

Submit this form with your design review application.

2. Complete and submit the checklist:

Download and complete the permit form that applies to your project type:

Submit this checklist with your building permit application.

What’s next

If your project is non-regulated, you are not subject to post-construction stormwater treatment requirements. You may still need to show how you plan to prevent runoff during construction activities. We may determine that site design and source control measures are also required.

If you have a small project, you’ll need to implement site design and source control requirements.

If your project is regulated, you must include:

  • Appropriate site design measures and source controls
  • Hydraulically sized stormwater treatment measures
  • (Hydromodification management may also be required)

Get help