The Board of Directors integrated the Guidelines and Standards into Valley Water’s permitting process by adopting the Water Resources Protection Manual as a framework for evaluating permit applications and setting permit conditions under the Water Resources Protection Ordinance.  

After adopting the Guidelines and Standards for Land Use Near Streams, the Cities of Cupertino, Gilroy, Sunnyvale, and Palo Alto took a step further and incorporated these Guidelines and Standards into zoning or building ordinances and integrated them into their municipal codes.

The guidelines and standards provide instructions to property owners and developers about how to design and construct streamside development in a way that protects both the property and the resource.

They are designed to clarify who is responsible for protecting water resources near streams; to protect properties along the stream from flooding, slope failures, erosion, and soil deposits; and to protect the stability of structures near streams and the stream bank itself.

Local communities benefit from healthy streams, safe streamside structures, improved flood protection and water quality, and potentially increased property values if streamside habitat is left intact.

Previously, for construction and activities near streams applicants needed to obtain two local permits: one from the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) and one from a local land use agency (either a city or the county, if unincorporated).

Under the Water Resources Protection Ordinance, this process has been streamlined so that a Valley Water permit is only required when the land is owned by or under easement to Valley Water, or when the work will affect underground utility lines or other Valley Water facilities

Applicants will still need to consult with other state and federal resource agencies, such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to determine additional permit requirements when working in and around riparian or water resources areas.