Construction and Development

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When it rains, stormwater runoff occurs on a construction site or impervious development (pavement, buildings, etc.), and rain does not soak into the ground but is transported to the nearest storm drain inlet and into our waterways. As stormwater runoff flows over the construction and developed sites, it can pick up pollutants such as dirt, sediment, trash, debris, concrete residuals and chemicals from materials and equipment stored outside. It can also pick up speed and contribute to erosion and flooding. These pollutants can end up in our creeks and coastal waterways if best management practices (BMPs) are not implemented at the construction site. In addition, developed land must be designed in a way that allows for infiltration and filtration of rain to slow the flow and remove pollutants, mimicking natural conditions as much as possible. The City requires that all developed sites are designed in a way that promote Low-Impact Development (LID) and protect water quality. Additionally, construction site operators are required to implement BMPs year-round so that they have the proper stormwater controls (erosion, sediment, tracking and run-on, run-off) in place during construction activities and have implemented good site management BMPs and non-stormwater management practices so that construction can proceed in a way that protects our community and the surrounding environment.

Regulatory requirements exist for all construction projects and qualifying development projects. There are different stormwater requirements depending on multiple factors, most notably the size of project, and how much impervious surface that a project will create or replace. These documents below are to assist in the project application and review process. Stormwater is one component of the land development process. See Planning and Environmental Review for more information on other requirements. For new construction projects, the majority of the documents reference herein are submitted in the early phases of the application review process.

Stormwater Application Requirements and Checklist

Checklist

Download a Development Application Checklist, which is also displayed in the table 1 and 2 below.

Requirements

If your project creates or replaces ≥ 2,500 sf of impervious surface, then Central Coast Post-Construction (PCR) Requirements and Phase II Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program Requirements apply; proceed to Table 1 Post Construction Requirements (PCR) and Phase II Small MS4 General Permit Requirements. All PCR Regulated projects will require a Stormwater Permit from the City of Goleta Public Works Department.
If your project creates land disturbance through dredging, clearing, grading, excavating, transporting or filling activities, then proceed to Table 2 Construction General Requirements to determine if your project requires a Construction General Permit from the State Water Resources Control Board. All construction projects that require a Construction General Permit will be required to obtain a Stormwater Permit from the City of Goleta Public Works Department.
All Stormwater Permit Requirements and applicable Conditions of Approval must be finalized and approved prior to any applicable post-entitlement permits are deemed complete.

Table 1. PCR Requirements and Phase II Small MS4 General Permit Requirements

How much Impervious Surface is Created or Replaced?

General Requirements

Permit Exemption

Projects that create or replace < 2,500 sf of impervious surface.

No Stormwater Permit Required

Implement construction BMPs (refer to Construction Industry’s Guide to Best Management Practices (BMPs) in English and Spanish).
Incorporate one or more Low-impact Development (LID) features into the project design.
Erosion and Sediment Control Plan if grading plan is required.

PCR Tier 1

Projects, including single-family homes that are not part of a larger plan of development (SFHs), that create or replace 2,500 square feet or more of impervious surface.

Stormwater Permit Required

Stormwater Data Sheet Application, Pages 1 and 2 (as applicable).
Stormwater Control Plan (SWCP) for Tier 1 Project.
Erosion and Sediment Control Plan if grading plan is required.

Before Construction (After Stormwater Permit Approval)

Schedule Pre-Construction Meeting & Stormwater Training with City.

Project Closure

Final inspection – PCR Field Verification Inspection and Construction Inspection.
SWCP – Certification of Approval and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Summary Checklist, if applicable.
Provide final record drawings (As-Builts), if applicable.

PCR Tier 2

Projects, other than SFHs, that create or replace 5,000 SF or more net impervious surface. *

Stormwater Permit Required

Stormwater Data Sheet Application, Pages 1 and 2
SWCP for Tier 2-4 Projects
- If Underground infiltration chambers or similar features are used, then follow Goleta underground infiltration (UIC) guidance.
- Use of UICs or alternative compliance will require a longer review period.
Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Plan (refer to Stormwater Facilities O&M Plan Guidance Document).
Erosion and Sediment Control Plan if grading plan is required.
Drainage and Stormwater Facilities Agreement and Exhibits approved, signed and recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder’s office.

Before Construction (After Stormwater Permit Approval)

Schedule Pre-Construction Meeting & Training Meeting with City

During Construction

Document SCMs: photos, measurements, materials, surveys
Schedule SCM Installation Inspection with City

Project Closure

Schedule Final Inspection - PCR Field Verification Inspection and Construction Inspection
SWCP – Certification of Approval and QA/QC Summary Checklist
Provide Final As-Builts, if applicable

Following Project Closure

Submit Annual Stormwater Maintenance Facilities Maintenance Certificate including supporting maintenance records by September 30th of every year.

PCR Tier 3

Projects, other than SFHs, that create or replace 15,000 SF or more of impervious surface.
SFHs that create or replace 15,000 SF or more net impervious surface. *

Stormwater Permit Required

Stormwater Data Sheet Application, Pages 1 and 2
SWCP for Tier 2-4 Projects
- If Underground infiltration chambers or similar features are used, then follow Goleta underground infiltration (UIC) guidance.
- Use of UICs or alternative compliance will require a longer review period.
Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Plan (refer to Stormwater Facilities O&M Plan Guidance Document).
Erosion and Sediment Control Plan or Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan if grading plan is required.
Drainage and Stormwater Facilities Agreement and Exhibits approved, signed and recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder’s office.

Before Construction (After Stormwater Permit Approval)

Schedule Pre-Construction Meeting & Training Meeting with City

During Construction

Document SCMs: photos, measurements, materials, surveys
Schedule SCM Installation Inspection with City

Project Closure

Schedule Final Inspection - PCR Field Verification Inspection and Construction Inspection
SWCP – Certification of Approval and QA/QC Summary Checklist
Provide Final As-Builts, if applicable

Following Project Closure

Submit Annual Stormwater Maintenance Facilities Maintenance Certificate including supporting maintenance records by September 30th of every year.

PCR Tier 4

Projects that create or replace 22,500 square feet of impervious surface.

Stormwater Permit Required

Stormwater Data Sheet Application, Pages 1 and 2
SWCP for Tier 2-4 Projects
- If Underground infiltration chambers or similar features are used, then follow Goleta underground infiltration (UIC) guidance.
- Use of UICs or alternative compliance will require a longer review period.
Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Plan (refer to Stormwater Facilities O&M Plan Guidance Document).
Erosion and Sediment Control Plan or Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan if grading plan is required.
Drainage and Stormwater Facilities Agreement and Exhibits approved, signed and recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder’s office.

Before Construction (After Stormwater Permit Approval)

Schedule Pre-Construction Meeting & Training Meeting with City.

During Construction

Document SCMs: photos, measurements, materials, surveys.
Schedule SCM Installation Inspection with City.

Project Closure

Schedule Final Inspection - PCR Field Verification Inspection and Construction Inspection
SWCP – Certification of Approval and QA/QC Summary Checklist
Provide Final As-Builts, if applicable

Following Project Closure

Submit Annual Stormwater Maintenance Facilities Maintenance Certificate including supporting maintenance records by September 30th of every year.

*Net Impervious only Applies to PCR Tier 2 or Tier 3 SFH Projects. Net impervious surface equals new plus replaced impervious area, minus the total pre-project-to-post-project reduction in impervious area (if any).

Net Impervious = [(New + Replaced) – (Pre-Project – Post-Project). If less than zero, Not Applicable

Table 2. Construction General Requirements

How much Ground Surface Area is disturbed?

General Requirements

Any land disturbing activities that may generate pollutants but do not require a grading/building permit

No Stormwater Permit Required

No Site Plan (Civil/Grading) Required.
Discharge of pollutants is prohibited.
Implement construction BMPs (refer to Construction Industry's Guide to Best Management Practices (BMPs) in English and Spanish).

Construction General Permit Required

All large projects ≥ 1 acre soil disturbance OR < 1 acre but part of a larger common plan of development (≥ 1 total acres of disturbance)

Stormwater Permit Required

Stormwater Data Sheet Application, Pages 1 and 2 (as applicable).
Site Plan (Civil/Grading) Required.
Provide Notice of Intent Receipt Letter with WDID Number.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.

Before Construction (Post-stormwater Permit Approval)

Schedule Pre-Construction Meeting & Training Meeting with City.

Project Closure

Schedule Final Inspection - Construction Inspection and PCR Field Verification Inspection, if applicable.
Submit Copy of Notice of Termination with final QSP inspection with photos demonstrating final stabilization and the implementation of post-construction BMPs and/or low impact development, and final site map.
Provide Final As-Builts, if applicable.

Documents – Guides, Templates, Forms and Brochures

The following materials are needed as part of the application process. Please read the above section “Development Application Requirements and Checklist” to better determine which components are needed for your project.

Application Materials

Stormwater Data Sheet Application
Drainage Stormwater Facilities Agreement
- Exhibits - Drainage Stormwater Facilities Agreement
- County of Santa Barbara Document Recording Instructions
Erosion and Sediment Control Plan or Stormwater Pollution Plan
Stormwater Control Plan - Tier 1 Projects or Tier 2, 3 and 4 Projects
Stormwater Facilities Operation and Maintenance Plan for a Commercial Project or a Residential Subdivision

Stormwater Technical Guide

Stormwater Technical Guide
Stormwater Technical Guide - Stormwater Control Measure Sizing Calculator and Calculator Instructions
Stormwater Technical Guide - Stormwater Control Plan Template for Tier 1 Projects or Tier 2, 3 and 4 Projects

Example - Operation and Maintenance Plan for a Commercial Project or a Residential Subdivision
Example - Stormwater Control Plan for a Commercial Project or a Residential Subdivision

Additional Guides and Brochures

Central Coast PCRs Implementation guidance Series #1 – Self Retaining Areas
Central Coast PCRs Implementation Guidance Series #2 – Decentralized Stormwater Management
Central Coast Low Impact Development Initiative
Construction Industry’s Guide to Best Management Practices (BMPs) in English and Spanish
EPA Fact Sheet – When are Storm Water Discharges Regulated as Class V Wells
LID – A Sensible Approach to Land Development and Stormwater Management
LID – Contractors and Developers Technical Assistance Memo
LID – Don’t Get Caught with your Overflow Down
LID – Rain Gardens

Additional Project Design Considerations

Trash Treatment Control Devices - Should your project design include installation of trash treatment control devices, please visit the SWCB's Trash Implementation Program Webpage and refer to the Certified Full Capture System List of Trash Treatment Control Devices. Any trash treatment control devices proposed must be on the SWRCB’s Certified Full Capture System List of Trash Treatment Devices.

Storm Water Drainage Wells (Class V Underground Injection Wells) - The EPA’s Underground Injection Control (UIC) program requires registration of all Class V Underground Injection Wells due to concerns that infiltration of contaminated stormwater has the potential to impact the Underground Sources of Drinking Water (USDW). The EPA UIC program has 2 basic requirements: (1) Register Injection Wells (NO FEE REQUIRED) via online inventory form (2) Do Not Use Injection Wells in a manner that will contaminate underground sources of drinking water. Note: If the UIC determines that the injection well will endanger the USDW, it would require a permit and possibly require the well to be closed.

Should your project design propose the installation of either a (1) Surface Basin (unlined retention or detention basin with vertical graded height is deeper than its widest surface dimension), (2) Subsurface Well (dry/bored/drilled/driven shaft wells), (3) Fluid Distribution System/Galleries (manufactured chambers such as ADS, Stormtech or Contech) and/or (4) Infiltration Trench (with vertical graded height is deeper than its widest surface dimension) and it is approved, then the Legally Responsible Party will be required to complete an Injection Well Inventory Form to register the UICs with the EPA and provide City proof of registration.

Guide - Underground Infiltration Chamber Guidance Document

Construction Resources

Goleta, CA

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Requirements

Table 1. PCR Requirements and Phase II Small MS4 General Permit Requirements

Table 2. Construction General Requirements