Skip to content

Series 500 — OVERLAY DISTRICTS›Article 501 — HILLSIDE ZONE (HZ) OVERLAY DISTRICT

501.07: SITE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS:

Porterville Zoning Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-07-09 · Porterville

A. General: Site and subdivision features required and designed to control and retain stormwater and other runoff pursuant to the requirements of city ordinances and other pertinent regulations shall be fully integrated into the design of the subdivision. Such features shall be designed and located to account for natural drainage patterns, integration of open space into overall subdivision design, location of trails and other mobility corridors, and placement of subdivision entry enhancements or other aesthetic features.

FIGURE 501.07A: RUNOFF CONTROL

B. Materials And Color: Water retention and detention features shall consist of natural earth and plant materials that must be approved by the parks and leisure director. Concrete or similar hardscape materials shall not be permitted unless determined by the city engineer to be the only feasible method of capturing and conveying runoff. Wherever concrete or similar structures are necessary, per drainage and stormwater control plans approved by the city engineer, such structures shall use integral color concrete to blend with surrounding color palette that blend with the natural environment.

  • C. Detention Basins:

  1. A detention basin area with gentle slopes (defined as 3:1 or less) and lined with turf or natural material such as rock may be used as an entry feature. Detention basins shall not be eligible for open space, park credit, or any fee credit.

  2. Detention basin side slope ratios greater than three to one (3:1) are prohibited.

  • D. Bioswales:
  1. Bioswales shall be used to collect surface runoff before it crosses pavement areas and to reduce ponding and damage to walkways. Bioswales shall be graded to direct water away from paved areas into detention basins prior to conveyance to the city drainage system per master plan.

FIGURE 501.07D1: USE OF BIOSWALES

  1. Bioswales shall consist of primarily herbaceous plants whose stems and leaves retard water flow and help settle pollutants, and which, with the aid of the roots, decompose into the soil. FIGURE 501.07D2: LANDSCAPING OF BIOSWALES
  • (Ord. 1801, 12-3-2013)

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code
▸ Contents — Porterville Zoning Code
Porterville Zoning Code
  1. Series 100 — INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
  2. Series 200 — BASE DISTRICTS
  3. Series 300 — ADDITIONAL USE AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
  4. Series 400 — LAND DIVISIONS
  5. ▸ Series 500 — OVERLAY DISTRICTS
    Overview
    1. Article 500 — AIRPORT ENVIRONS (AE) OVERLAY DISTRICT
    2. ▸ Article 501 — HILLSIDE ZONE (HZ) OVERLAY DISTRICT
      Overview
      1. 501.01: PURPOSE AND INTENT:
      2. 501.02: APPLICABILITY:
      3. 501.03: REQUIRED PLANS AND MATERIALS:
      4. 501.04: LAND USE REGULATIONS:
      5. 501.05: RIDGELINES:
      6. 501.06: GRADING:
      7. 501.07: SITE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS:
      8. 501.08: STREET REQUIREMENTS AND DESIGN:
      9. 501.09: OPEN SPACE:
      10. 501.10: LANDSCAPING AND IRRIGATION:
      11. 501.11: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS:
    3. Article 502 — SINGLE STORY (S) OVERLAY DISTRICT
  6. Series 600 — ADMINISTRATION AND PERMITS
  7. Series 700 — GENERAL TERMS

GoCodebook provides public access, search, citation, multilingual explanation, and practical interpretation of legally adopted building regulations. It is not a substitute for the official ICC or California code publications.