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Stormwater C.3 Guidebook

New C.3 Requirements

The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board has adopted the third reissuance of the Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit, or MRP 3.0.  This reissuance includes significant changes and additional requirements in Provision C.3.  Summary of key changes below. 

Effective July 1, 2023:

  • Impervious surface threshold for most projects will drop from 10,000 to 5,000 sq ft, including for new roads and the addition of a travel lane to an existing road.​
  • New categories of regulated projects include:
    • Road and sidewalk repair projects ≥ 5,000 contiguous sq ft
    • Road reconstruction and pavement widening ≥ 1 contiguous acre
    • Detached single family home that creates or replaces ≥ 10,000 sq ft

Please note that the C.3 Guidebook and related resources referenced in this site are in the process of being updated to reflect new permit requirements.  Stay tuned!

 

*To obtain Word document versions of templates (like the Stormwater Control Plan Template) or other documents marked with an asterisk, please contact the CCCWP at cleanwater@pw.cccounty.us or 925-313-2360

Stormwater C.3 Guidebook 8th Edition

(NEW!) Download the Stormwater C.3 Guidebook 8th Edition (PDF) (December 23, 2022).  This edition reflects the new requirements in MRP 3.0.  Supersedes the 7th edition in effect since 2017.

(NEW!) View the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Development Projects (PDF) (March 2022).  

(LEGACY) View the previous Stormwater C.3 Guidebook, 7th Edition (PDF) (June 21, 2017).

Please note that the 7th Edition Stormwater C.3 Guidebook and Template are legacy documents, for projects subject to MRP2.0.  For projects subject to MRP3.0 (published May 11, 2022), and for Regulated Projects (C.3.b.) approved July 1, 2023 or later, please refer to the 8th Edition Guidebook and Template. 

 

Additional Guidebook Resources

Please note that the resources below may be updated periodically to reflect changes to the MRP and/or Stormwater C.3 Guidebook.

Stormwater Control Plan Template

The purpose of the template is to help applicants prepare the required project submittal.

(NEW!) Download the Updated Stormwater Control Plan Template (PDF)* (February 2023), consistent with the Stormwater C.3. Guidebook 8th Edition. 

(LEGACY) View the previous Stormwater Control Plan Template, based on 7th Edition (PDF)

Please note that the 7th Edition Stormwater C.3 Guidebook and Template are legacy documents, for projects subject to MRP2.0.  For projects subject to MRP3.0 (published May 11, 2022), and for Regulated Projects (C.3.b.) approved July 1, 2023 or later, please refer to the 8th Edition Guidebook and Template. 


Example Stormwater Control Plans

 

Bioretention Soil Media Specification

Download the updated bioretention soil media specification (PDF) approved April 18, 2016. (See BASMAA and Executive Officer letters for an explanation of the changes.)

 

IMP Sizing Calculator (Note: In process of being updated)

Released October 2009. Consistent with the 7th Edition. Be sure to review and follow Guidebook instructions for preparing a complete Stormwater Control Plan. Calculator and setup file (3MB .zip).

NOTE: If you experience issues with downloading and/or setting up the IMP Calculator and setup file, please try the following workaround approaches.  If you have tried all these approaches and continue to experience issues, please reach out to CCCWP at cleanwater@pw.cccounty.us or 925-313-2360.

For issues with downloading, try:

  • Right-click the link, click "Copy link", and then paste the link in a separate tab or window.  Try clicking the link again.
  • Clear cookies from your browser.  Refresh the page.  Try clicking the link again.
  • If using Chrome, right-click on the link and select “Save link as.” This will open a file manager window to allow you to select the location on your computer where the downloaded file will go. Click “Save” and Chrome will give you a notification (at the bottom of the browser window) that the file can’t be downloaded securely and invite you to discard. Click the up-arrow to the right of the “discard” button and select “Keep”.
  • Try clicking on the file from a different browser (Microsoft Edge, Firefox, etc.). 
  • Reach out to your IT department to see if they can troubleshoot any issues within your local system.

For issues with setting up or running the file, try:

  • If you are not able to install the file, you might need to first install .NET Framework 2.0.  The information on this page may be useful. 
  • (Windows) If you are not able to install the file, and you believe that .NET Framework 2.0 is already installed in your operating system, then you may need to make sure that .NET Framework 2.0 is actually enabled in your Windows Features. 
    • To do this, go to your Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows Features on or off.  Alternatively, you may find the Windows Features box by typing in your Windows Start Menu searchbar, "Turn Windows features on or off". 
    • Within the Windows Features panel, make sure that the checkbox for the appropriate .NET Framework is selected (It might be listed as, ".NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)").  Click "OK".  You may need to restart your system for this change to take effect.
  • If you are able to install the IMP Calculator setup file but still receive an error message when attempting to run the calculator, try restarting your system.
  • Try right-clicking the icon and selecting “Run as Administrator.” If you can't run as administrator, reach out to to your IT department.
  • Reach out to your IT department to see if they can troubleshoot any issues within your local system.

Instructions that may be helpful to provide to your IT department:

  1. Download ContraCostaIMPSizingCalculator.zip  (https://www.cccleanwater.org/development-infrastructure/development/stormwater-c-3-guidebook)
  2. Install .NET Framework 2.0 on device by navigating to Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features > 'Turn on Windows and Features on or off' install .NET Framework 3.5 (includes 2.0 & 3.0)
  3. Run IMPSizingTool_Setup.msi (as another user -> admin)
  4. Navigate to application folder path: ‘C:\Program Files (x86)\IMPSizingTool\’ and provide user running program full access to specified folder location.
  5. Able to launch program successfully without error message.

 

Appendix A: Local Exceptions and Requirements

Municipality-specific procedures, policies and submittal requirements should be obtained from the municipality’s planning and community development department.

Follow the link to the local municipality website:

Appendix B: Soils, Plantings, and Irrigation for Bioretention Facilities

The soil specification approved April 18, 2016 (PDF) includes the following statement: “Local soil products suppliers have expressed interest in developing ‘brand-name’ mixes that meet these specifications. At their sole discretion, municipal construction inspectors may choose to accept test results and certification for a ‘brand-name’ mix from a soil supplier.”

For the convenience of the land development community, the Contra Costa Clean Water Program invited local soil suppliers to request listing here. The following suppliers submitted test results and certifications. Listing does not imply or guarantee that the mix as designed or delivered meets all requirements of the soil specification. Contractors and construction inspectors should independently obtain and review the required information before approving installation of a ‘brand-name’ soil mix.

Memoranda

Policies and content of the following memoranda have been incorporated into the 7th Edition. The memoranda include some additional background and explanatory material.

Contra Costa Hydrology Data

Operation and Maintenance of Stormwater Facilities

Stormwater Facilities Operation and Maintenance Plan Template

Example Stormwater Facilities Operation and Maintenance Plans

Forms and Fact Sheet

The following documents are in MS Word and may be incorporated into Stormwater Facilities Operation and Maintenance Plans. See Chapter 5 of the Stormwater C.3 Guidebook, 7th Edition

*To obtain Word document versions of templates (like the Stormwater Control Plan Template) or other model documents marked with an asterisk, please contact the CCCWP at 925-313-2360