Stream Conservation Area Ordinance

Stream Conservation Area Regulations for San Geronimo Valley.

New Stream Conservation Area (SCA) regulations for the protection and health of all perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams are in effect for the San Geronimo Valley. These rules protect habitat for the endangered coho salmon and steelhead trout.  

• Read this Fact Sheet to learn more about the SCA regulations.
• Apply these required Standard Management Practices (SMPs) to your project if it is located in the SCA.
• Include a Site Assessment with your permit application to determine the location of the SCA.
• Read this Landowner Resource Guide to see answers to frequently asked questions about the stream regulations.
• Use this Application Form to request a point of sale property inspection for compliance with the SCA regulations.
• This Map shows the boundary area of the San Geronimo Valley, where the SCA regulations apply.

Resources:

• Use Marinmap.org to see various data layers, including the locations of streams. 
• Attend the Marin County Project Coordination Meetings to get free creek permitting advice.
• Review these Landowner resources for creek stewardship for a property near a stream.
• Learn how to manage vegetation for wildfire risk: Ecologically Sound Practices for Vegetation Management (Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority)
• See pictures of common riparian plants in Marin County in this guide. 
• See a list of Native Plants for Riparian Habitats prepared by the Marin Chapter California Native Plant Society.
• Review conceptual plans for planting, erosion control, and stormwater retention ideas.
• Plant these native species in your riparian landscape.
• Review these riparian planting guidelines from the San Geronimo Valley Salmon Enhancement Plan.
• The Board of Supervisors received a status report on the SCA regulations on May 2, 2023.
• The Board adopted Ordinance 3770 for the San Geronimo Valley SCA regulations on July 19, 2022.