Diligence · Glossary
Wetlands
Updated 2026-07-18
Wetlands are areas with hydrology, soils, and vegetation characteristics that may bring them under federal, California, or local regulation. Online wetland maps are screening tools; jurisdiction and boundaries generally require field evaluation and agency-specific analysis.
What it means
Federal waters, state waters, riparian areas, and California Coastal Act wetlands use overlapping but not identical definitions.
Why it matters for land decisions
Wetlands can constrain grading, roads, utilities, drainage, and mitigation options.
- Do not treat absence from a map as absence on site.
- Coordinate agencies before design.
People also ask
Does the National Wetlands Inventory determine jurisdiction?
No. It is a reconnaissance dataset and does not itself establish regulatory jurisdiction.
Which agencies may regulate California wetlands?
Depending on location and activity, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, State Water Resources Control Board, Regional Water Boards, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Coastal Commission, and local agencies may be involved.
Official sources
Related terms
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